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12th
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I've just handed back the keys to the awesome 2013 Ford Fusion Energi which I had the opportunity to test drive for two days. Yet, at the same time, I was glad to return to my good old 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan.
Say, what?
I have to admit I had a mostly wonderful time with the 2013 Ford Fusion Energi, the plug-in hybrid variant of Ford's sleek new midsize sedan. While I loved the silent operation in full electric mode, the accommodating interior, and the added convenience of MyFord Touch, the sheer lack of trunk space generated plenty of frustration -- with three kids to take care of, I need lots of cargo room, if only for a week's worth of groceries.
Oh, and what were the designers thinking when they put the cup holders at near elbow level? That's with my seat pushed a good deal back; I can't imagine how smaller drivers need to contort their body to grab their coffee.
Reactions from the family
My 14-year-old boy: “What? A plug-in car? Does this thing go fast? No? Man, that's a wheelbarrow!” (FYI, he dreams of becoming an F1 driver.)
My 11-year-old son: “Wooooooooowwwwwww! It's nice! How long do you have it? Just two days? Oh...”
My little 4-year-old: “Where's the other car?”
“At work, sweetie. Do you like mommy's new ride?”
“Yeah, but where has the other car gone?”
My husband: “Awesome!” (as he explored the Fusion's MyFord Touch interface).
City driving
My daily commute to work amounts to 22 kilometres, mostly in the city. The ability to run in full electric mode, coupled with the 2013 Ford Fusion Energi's range, allowed me to cover the entire distance without any intervention by the gasoline engine.
Once, with the battery on the verge of running empty, I was counting on red lights to let the regenerative brakes work their magic, but alas, Murphy's Law reared its ugly head and presented me with nothing but green lights! I wouldn't have been so stressed driving my Grand Caravan...
Impressive economy
At the end of each trip, the on-board computer displays various driving data including energy performance and remaining range. Every time I got back behind the wheel, my goal was to save even more gas than the previous time -- and that's one of the things that makes driving the 2013 Ford Fusion Energi so great.
Of course, the best was seeing “0.0L/100km” on the screen. My Grand Caravan does that, too... when I don't start the engine!
The morning after his first “wheelbarrow” experience, my eldest son was viewing the 2013 Ford Fusion Energi with a much different eye:
“Mom, can I just start the car?”
“No.”
“Oh, come on!!!”
My next car?
I have a soft spot for green cars, yet I also love my Grand Caravan, if only to avoid playing Tetris with the mountain of luggage we have to load for a family weekend getaway. That being said, the silent operation of the 2013 Ford Fusion Energi, combined with my not having to stop by the gas station (what a relief at $1.44 per litre!), had me thinking long and hard about my next car. One thing's for sure: If it's not all-electric, it most certainly will be hybrid!
Say, what?
I have to admit I had a mostly wonderful time with the 2013 Ford Fusion Energi, the plug-in hybrid variant of Ford's sleek new midsize sedan. While I loved the silent operation in full electric mode, the accommodating interior, and the added convenience of MyFord Touch, the sheer lack of trunk space generated plenty of frustration -- with three kids to take care of, I need lots of cargo room, if only for a week's worth of groceries.
Oh, and what were the designers thinking when they put the cup holders at near elbow level? That's with my seat pushed a good deal back; I can't imagine how smaller drivers need to contort their body to grab their coffee.
 |
Reactions from the family
My 14-year-old boy: “What? A plug-in car? Does this thing go fast? No? Man, that's a wheelbarrow!” (FYI, he dreams of becoming an F1 driver.)
My 11-year-old son: “Wooooooooowwwwwww! It's nice! How long do you have it? Just two days? Oh...”
My little 4-year-old: “Where's the other car?”
“At work, sweetie. Do you like mommy's new ride?”
“Yeah, but where has the other car gone?”
My husband: “Awesome!” (as he explored the Fusion's MyFord Touch interface).
 |
| Photo: Ford |
City driving
My daily commute to work amounts to 22 kilometres, mostly in the city. The ability to run in full electric mode, coupled with the 2013 Ford Fusion Energi's range, allowed me to cover the entire distance without any intervention by the gasoline engine.
Once, with the battery on the verge of running empty, I was counting on red lights to let the regenerative brakes work their magic, but alas, Murphy's Law reared its ugly head and presented me with nothing but green lights! I wouldn't have been so stressed driving my Grand Caravan...
 |
| Photo: Ford |
Impressive economy
At the end of each trip, the on-board computer displays various driving data including energy performance and remaining range. Every time I got back behind the wheel, my goal was to save even more gas than the previous time -- and that's one of the things that makes driving the 2013 Ford Fusion Energi so great.
Of course, the best was seeing “0.0L/100km” on the screen. My Grand Caravan does that, too... when I don't start the engine!
The morning after his first “wheelbarrow” experience, my eldest son was viewing the 2013 Ford Fusion Energi with a much different eye:
“Mom, can I just start the car?”
“No.”
“Oh, come on!!!”
 |
| Photo: Ford |
My next car?
I have a soft spot for green cars, yet I also love my Grand Caravan, if only to avoid playing Tetris with the mountain of luggage we have to load for a family weekend getaway. That being said, the silent operation of the 2013 Ford Fusion Energi, combined with my not having to stop by the gas station (what a relief at $1.44 per litre!), had me thinking long and hard about my next car. One thing's for sure: If it's not all-electric, it most certainly will be hybrid!