MotorTrend has an extensive 6-part road test article comparing the TCH and the FFH.
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...rid/index.html

FFH EPA - 41 city/36 highway - however - REAL WORLD: TCH overall 34 / FFH overall 33.5 - over 500 miles of driving.

MT indicates tested FFH MSRP is 10+% more than TCH - but does benefit from full tax credit - for a while. AND - it does have lots of widgets/gadgets/graphics … will be waiting to see actual FFH and 2010 TCH MSRP.


I have learned that it takes time to learn how to drive the TCH efficiently and effectively.

After two years of low-mileage (10K total - all city/suburban) ownership I can look back and see that in the first six months mileage was more-or-less in line with EPA - 33 mpg or so per tank. Over time we've learned to make better use of electric-motor-only mode and regeneration, so that now we are on our way to our first 40 mpg tank.

In evaluating the economies of hybrid vs non-hybrid, we've also happily experienced the Toyota quality effect.

Two years of TCH maintenance have cost less than $400, as compared to the $4,000/year our prior (10-year-old) high-end US-manufacturer vehicle was requiring - a $7,600 savings over two years, at the cost of giving up leather seats and power seats with memory (the one accessory I wish the TCH had - to automatically adjust seats, mirrors, steering to the driver).

I bring this up because this IS the Fusion challenge - can Ford deliver similar quality?

And — an unmentioned item - how easily and readily accessible for maintenance is the FFH? Not that I know with the TCH, except the ease of oil changing — but our US-manufactured car was so designed as to make even regular maintenance a chore, and repairs in the engine bay a costly nigh-nightmare. Hopefully the FFH will not be so.

 

In the past I owned 4 Chevys and 4 Oldsmobiles. Thinking back, I had various things wrong with the Chevys. The Oldsmobiles were better quality but still usually had two problems at a time. With both brands, the problems started after 40,000 miles. I thought of them more of a 50 to 65,000 mile car then trade before more problems started.

I bought a Toyota Corolla in '94 which was a very quiet driving car. I drove it trouble free to 105,000 miles. I then installed a starter and brakes myself. I also replaced the front axles at 150,000. Other than that, just spark plugs and tires. I drove that wonderful car to 180,000 miles. I sold it to a movie theater manager and his wife was still driving it 4 years later.

Next I bought a 2003 Corolla. I loved the car and was averaging 40 mpg combined with my slower driving. Out here in the New Mexico desert I hit 43/45 on some trips across the state while driving 60 mph with cruise. My age was mid 60's at the time and the car rode a little to stiff on the older highways for me and my wife.

I felt sorry for Ford and their past Explorer/tire problems. I went looking for a large affordable heavier car. The full sized Ford 500 fit the bill. I swore to stick with 4-cyl engines for economy. With this big car I had to go with a new designed V6. The car rode great and I got 30/31 mpg combined on almost ever tank. The car had recalls starting the first month. The programming on the 6-speed transmission, rear brake dust due to quick wearing brakes. Then a recall for the fronts disk squeaking. I forget the other 3 recalls. I had to take it back 3 or 4 times and the car was not even 6 months old. I was very upset with so many recalls. After the first year the car started having electrical gremlins. Something about a large plug under the crowded dash. I didn't attempt to fix it myself.

I gave up on the Ford so my wife and I agreed to buy a new '07 TCH. What a nice riding car and rode as good as the big Ford. I was amazed the TCH hit 48 mpg on the first tank. I carried over my easy (gas-only) driving habits from years past. Finally a car that works with me for high mpg. I am most pleased with this great looking car. It's never been to the shop and may never have to go. I do all my own basic maintenance and check my own liquids, inverter level, brake fluid and etc. So far this car is not only saving gas, but saving me money and has a good resale value.

I do know Ford put their all into the quality of the Fusion and Focus cars. I hope their hybrid is as good of quality. Competition is nice, but Toyota has won the gas only mpg in my book from their perfected 4-cylinder engines. Their increased mpg has spread to all their vehicles after 2002.

 

I agree that the Toyota vehicles are much more efficient and reliable than most American made vehicles, but Ford has been doing much better in changing thier ways and offering efficent vehicles - but I'm not sure about the reliability yet.

The Fusion looks really good and if the Hybrid version is as good as they are advertising, it will be worth while watching and waiting for other folks to confirm their claims. But, personally, I won't consider buying one until Consumer Reports starts rating it as good as the TCH.

 

I did test drive a new 2008 Taurus (name change for the 500) I must say it was the smoothest over rough roads and quietest car I have ever been in. It also had the new Ford/GM Japanese designed 6-speed transmission. You could put it in low gear at 45 mph to gear down. It would drop smoothly from overdrive to 5th, 4th, 3rd, and 2nd just like clockwork.

My wife and I talked it over for a few days discussing Fords new quality vs gas mileage. She warned me that gas prices could go up. She said, why not pay a little more and buy a hybrid. She knew all along I had always wanted a toyota hybrid. I also wanted to get back with the proven quality of Toyota.

 

I think Ford has done a good job in this area. The reliability of the Fusion is rated "much better than average" by Consumer Reports. Owner satisfaction is also the equal of the Toyota Camry. I think the playing field is starting to level out. Also, did you notice that Consumer stopped recommending the V-6 Camry for a while due to quality issues?

I would guess the Camry may be somewhat more refined, but the Fusion is definately in the game now. We couldn't say that about domestic brands a short time ago, but both Ford and GM have made significant progress. Chrylser - not so much.

 

The Camry V-6 problem you mention. Something about a recall due to a loose bolt inside the automatic transmission. If the bolt came loose it could damage the transmission. Toyota issued a recall to fix them. It was found soon enough that many were pulled from the new car lots and repaired before being sold.

Consumer Reports frowned on the problem. In the April 2009 issue CR list it as a minor transmission problem for the '07 Camry V6 model.

 

An interesting article today on both the 2010 FFH and the way news is tilted in Washington. The Washington Post today spoke about the new offering from Ford, and liked it in many important ways: ride, looks, fuel economy, and fit/finish. The Smart Gauge cluster was also a big hit. The article also said that while the domestics have lost a lot lately, they still sell 48% of all vehicles in the United States, although we have unregulated foreign car sales and no help (until just recently) to the domestics in any way. And they did not even mention the fact that manufacturers abroad don't have to worry about healthcare for their workers.

BTW, I have some bias since I ordered my FFH about 10 days ago. Delivery is scheduled for sometime next month. I will post pics and a review when I get it. But from this article (and many more) this car will be well received by the American consumer (assuming there is any consumption to be had)