Author Topic: Test Drive: 2013 Ford Fusion SE 1.6 Ecoboost  (Read 26722 times)

Offline Blueprint

  • Car Crazy
  • *****
  • Posts: 10072
  • Carma: +169/-232
  • Gender: Male
  • member since way back when
    • View Profile
  • Cars: 2024 Mazda CX-90 GS-L PHEV, 2022 Subaru Crosstrek Limited, 1975 Triumph TR6
Re: Test Drive: 2013 Ford Fusion SE 1.6 Ecoboost
« Reply #20 on: December 13, 2012, 12:17:24 pm »
I think Accord is the best value in this segment now.
It all depends on the definition of value. A base 2013 Sonata can be had for $22,064+tax while a base Accord with CVT is 25,190+tax.

Even better value, a manual Accord is 24k$, and the Optima manual (if it actually exists out there in the wild) is 21k$ and often incentived below 20. Automatics / CVTs are just for the 99.9% out there  ;D
Traffic engineer/project manager & part time auto journalist

Northernridge

  • Guest
Re: Test Drive: 2013 Ford Fusion SE 1.6 Ecoboost
« Reply #21 on: December 13, 2012, 01:01:25 pm »
I think Accord is the best value in this segment now.
It all depends on the definition of value. A base 2013 Sonata can be had for $22,064+tax while a base Accord with CVT is 25,190+tax.

Even better value, a manual Accord is 24k$, and the Optima manual (if it actually exists out there in the wild) is 21k$ and often incentived below 20. Automatics / CVTs are just for the 99.9% out there  ;D

Agree. That is outstanding value.

Offline seale

  • Learner's Permit
  • *
  • Posts: 13
  • Carma: +3/-0
  • member
    • View Profile
  • Cars: 2016 Santa Fe Sport 2L turbo AWD
Re: Test Drive: 2013 Ford Fusion SE 1.6 Ecoboost
« Reply #22 on: December 13, 2012, 01:25:27 pm »

 I obviously have different preferences than many here but I don't like the , to me, wildly overstyled dashes of the Escape and Focus.

 So the dash on the new Fusion is OK to me.

Offline ArticSteve

  • Car Crazy
  • *****
  • Posts: 27803
  • Carma: +310/-6811
    • View Profile
  • Cars: Hobby Car: 15 Mustang Vert, V6, manual, 3.55 lsd; 2024 MDX Aspec; 2022 F150 TREMOR lifted
Re: Test Drive: 2013 Ford Fusion SE 1.6 Ecoboost
« Reply #23 on: December 13, 2012, 02:10:54 pm »
The quest for mpg is a killer; turbo lag and gear hunting need not apply.  Ford has too many engines for this car.  4 is a crowd.  All they need is the base 2.5, the 2.0. and the Hybrid for the mpg buffs.

This 1.6 offering is a dud.  Maybe OK with the manual, but that really is irrelevant to the segment.

Nice looking car.  I'm sure the interior is fine.

Waiting for the 2.0 review.       

Offline Adam D

  • Learner's Permit
  • *
  • Posts: 26
  • Carma: +3/-5
    • View Profile
Re: Test Drive: 2013 Ford Fusion SE 1.6 Ecoboost
« Reply #24 on: December 13, 2012, 02:18:25 pm »
I tend to agree that 4 engine choices is way too much. That being said it's Ford's issue not the consumer...you get to pick. On another note I find it commical how many people like to beat Ford up over turbo issues. The VW comparison is an odd one as I don't see them as a poster child for reliabilty. In the end, cars are way more reliable now than they were 20 years ago. My last three cars were on the road for 5-6 years with only regular maintenance. While there are some bugs in the ecoboost, all you have to do is google any car company (yes Honda and Hyundai too) and you will find many owner complaints of tranny's and engines.

Offline Fobroader

  • Car Crazy
  • *****
  • Posts: 35364
  • Carma: +1423/-2113
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Cars: 2022 Honda Ridgeline, 2021 Lexus GX460, 2018 Kawasaki Versys X300
Re: Test Drive: 2013 Ford Fusion SE 1.6 Ecoboost
« Reply #25 on: December 13, 2012, 02:41:15 pm »
Ford has a great history with turbos though, I wouldnt be afraid of a turbo Ford.
Lighten up Francis.....

Offline Adam D

  • Learner's Permit
  • *
  • Posts: 26
  • Carma: +3/-5
    • View Profile
Re: Test Drive: 2013 Ford Fusion SE 1.6 Ecoboost
« Reply #26 on: December 13, 2012, 02:45:41 pm »
Ford has a great history with turbos though, I wouldnt be afraid of a turbo Ford.

Agreed. People see one bad report and they run with it.

Offline dirtyjeffer

  • Car Crazy
  • *****
  • Posts: 17120
  • Carma: +296/-1312
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Cars: 2021 Toyota Venza Limited, 2016 Kia Sorento EX AWD
Re: Test Drive: 2013 Ford Fusion SE 1.6 Ecoboost
« Reply #27 on: December 13, 2012, 02:46:28 pm »
Very true.  If you push a turbo engine, it will consume fuel like a naturally aspirated engine it replaced.  The point is in stop and go traffic, it should consume less.
i would say they might even use more fuel...having owned a Mazda MX6 GT Turbo about 15 years ago, and enjoying the rush of boost, that car drank fuel on par with my buddies Firebird Formula with the 5.7L V8.
When you've lost the argument, admit defeat and hit the smite button.

Offline Fobroader

  • Car Crazy
  • *****
  • Posts: 35364
  • Carma: +1423/-2113
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Cars: 2022 Honda Ridgeline, 2021 Lexus GX460, 2018 Kawasaki Versys X300
Re: Test Drive: 2013 Ford Fusion SE 1.6 Ecoboost
« Reply #28 on: December 13, 2012, 02:51:10 pm »
Very true.  If you push a turbo engine, it will consume fuel like a naturally aspirated engine it replaced.  The point is in stop and go traffic, it should consume less.
i would say they might even use more fuel...having owned a Mazda MX6 GT Turbo about 15 years ago, and enjoying the rush of boost, that car drank fuel on par with my buddies Firebird Formula with the 5.7L V8.

Like anything else, you have to stay out of the happy pedal. Anything with a turbo Ive ever driven, including a Beetle with a 1.8T  :hurl: , staying away from that whistle is very hard.

Offline ArticSteve

  • Car Crazy
  • *****
  • Posts: 27803
  • Carma: +310/-6811
    • View Profile
  • Cars: Hobby Car: 15 Mustang Vert, V6, manual, 3.55 lsd; 2024 MDX Aspec; 2022 F150 TREMOR lifted
Re: Test Drive: 2013 Ford Fusion SE 1.6 Ecoboost
« Reply #29 on: December 13, 2012, 02:54:41 pm »
They are for the dealer.  Too many model configurations confuse customers.  You're not a retailer, you have no clue.  :)

Offline Fobroader

  • Car Crazy
  • *****
  • Posts: 35364
  • Carma: +1423/-2113
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Cars: 2022 Honda Ridgeline, 2021 Lexus GX460, 2018 Kawasaki Versys X300
Re: Test Drive: 2013 Ford Fusion SE 1.6 Ecoboost
« Reply #30 on: December 13, 2012, 02:56:21 pm »
Ford has too many engines for this car.  4 is a crowd. 

Oh FFS!!  Options are bad?     

Finally someone gives the consumer unheard of engine options since the 1960' and 70's and this is a bad thing?? How??

They are for the dealer.  Too many model configurations confuse customers.  You're not a retailer, you have no clue.  :)

Why would this be bad for them, if youre dealing with morons, 1 or 20 engine choices will confuse them.

Offline Fobroader

  • Car Crazy
  • *****
  • Posts: 35364
  • Carma: +1423/-2113
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Cars: 2022 Honda Ridgeline, 2021 Lexus GX460, 2018 Kawasaki Versys X300
Re: Test Drive: 2013 Ford Fusion SE 1.6 Ecoboost
« Reply #31 on: December 13, 2012, 02:59:47 pm »
I notice you didn't say that options are bad for customers, you know, the people who actually end up buying the cars.

God forbid the salesman actually has to know what hes talking about.......

Offline PJ

  • Drunk on Fuel
  • ****
  • Posts: 2164
  • Carma: +64/-153
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: Test Drive: 2013 Ford Fusion SE 1.6 Ecoboost
« Reply #32 on: December 13, 2012, 03:12:51 pm »
Ford has a great history with turbos though, I wouldnt be afraid of a turbo Ford.

They do?  Examples?

Offline ArticSteve

  • Car Crazy
  • *****
  • Posts: 27803
  • Carma: +310/-6811
    • View Profile
  • Cars: Hobby Car: 15 Mustang Vert, V6, manual, 3.55 lsd; 2024 MDX Aspec; 2022 F150 TREMOR lifted
Re: Test Drive: 2013 Ford Fusion SE 1.6 Ecoboost
« Reply #33 on: December 13, 2012, 03:19:25 pm »
If you were any where near representative of the average customer you'd have an argument.  :)

In the mom and pop segment, mom and pop don't like making excess technical choices.  Most ppl have the 4 cylinder v. V6 concept already sorted out.  The more frugal types, by their nature, have already decided on the 4 cylinder.  "It will be good enough".  Like a Motel 6; beats sleeping in the car outside of Edmonton in January.

Then go and pop 3 choices for that 4 cylinder and you've got a customer in termoil.  What's best, what's the cost, what's the upside, what's the downside????, ....  to many whats!   So the customer needs to think about it; do more research as they don't want to make a mistake.   While thinking about they have now driven across the street to the Hyundai store or next door to the Toyota store where they find that decision has already been made for them.  :)

Offline PJ

  • Drunk on Fuel
  • ****
  • Posts: 2164
  • Carma: +64/-153
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: Test Drive: 2013 Ford Fusion SE 1.6 Ecoboost
« Reply #34 on: December 13, 2012, 03:22:18 pm »
That interior is boring, a real let down compared to some other ford products and the ecoboost engines  don't really seem to show any advantages over naturally aspirated engines. Honda seems to have a better power plant.

Very true.  If you push a turbo engine, it will consume fuel like a naturally aspirated engine it replaced.  The point is in stop and go traffic, it should consume less.

That said, I feel the Ecoboost fuel savings are overhyped and a diesel like in the European models would deliver.  In most cases, the stated TC fuel economy for a diesel is more closely matched in the real world than gas or gas hybrids.

Trouble here is engine size.  A turbo engine can get good mileage if you stay out of the boost but a non boosted 1.6 cannot haul around a car this large and heavy.  Even average drivers will be in boost most of the time.  Turbos should be for when you need a big burst of power, not to just keep up with a city bus.  The 1.6 EB is a great choice in the lightweight Fiesta but only the 2.0 EB should be offered in the Fusion.


Offline Allen

  • Car Crazy
  • *****
  • Posts: 4232
  • Carma: +121/-437
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Cars: 2021 Q5 Sline, 2022 Honda HRV Touring
Re: Test Drive: 2013 Ford Fusion SE 1.6 Ecoboost
« Reply #35 on: December 13, 2012, 03:27:36 pm »
Nice looking car, but lack of a V6 kills it for me...

Offline Fobroader

  • Car Crazy
  • *****
  • Posts: 35364
  • Carma: +1423/-2113
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Cars: 2022 Honda Ridgeline, 2021 Lexus GX460, 2018 Kawasaki Versys X300
Re: Test Drive: 2013 Ford Fusion SE 1.6 Ecoboost
« Reply #36 on: December 13, 2012, 03:28:02 pm »
Ford has a great history with turbos though, I wouldnt be afraid of a turbo Ford.

They do?  Examples?

Escort Cosworth, Escort RS500, Focus RS, Focus ST, Sierra Cosworth, Sierra RS, RS200, SVO Mustang, Sierra Saphire....theres a few for you. 

Offline ArticSteve

  • Car Crazy
  • *****
  • Posts: 27803
  • Carma: +310/-6811
    • View Profile
  • Cars: Hobby Car: 15 Mustang Vert, V6, manual, 3.55 lsd; 2024 MDX Aspec; 2022 F150 TREMOR lifted
Re: Test Drive: 2013 Ford Fusion SE 1.6 Ecoboost
« Reply #37 on: December 13, 2012, 03:33:01 pm »
I notice you didn't say that options are bad for customers, you know, the people who actually end up buying the cars.

XM, heated seats, sunroofs, power driver's seat, are all items that customers easily conceptualize.

Offline Fobroader

  • Car Crazy
  • *****
  • Posts: 35364
  • Carma: +1423/-2113
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Cars: 2022 Honda Ridgeline, 2021 Lexus GX460, 2018 Kawasaki Versys X300
Re: Test Drive: 2013 Ford Fusion SE 1.6 Ecoboost
« Reply #38 on: December 13, 2012, 03:34:30 pm »
Nice looking car, but lack of a V6 kills it for me...

Hey, AS, someone wants a fifth engine option!


Offline ArticSteve

  • Car Crazy
  • *****
  • Posts: 27803
  • Carma: +310/-6811
    • View Profile
  • Cars: Hobby Car: 15 Mustang Vert, V6, manual, 3.55 lsd; 2024 MDX Aspec; 2022 F150 TREMOR lifted
Re: Test Drive: 2013 Ford Fusion SE 1.6 Ecoboost
« Reply #39 on: December 13, 2012, 03:35:41 pm »
Nice looking car, but lack of a V6 kills it for me...

Hey, AS, someone wants a fifth engine option!

Would that be with or without a Turbo; manual, DSG or 6 speed slushbox  ???   ;D