Consumer Reports is calling out Ford, saying the new C-Max and Fusion hybrids don't get anywhere near the 47 miles per gallon EPA (5 L/100km) the automaker claims. This is the largest discrepancy in a long time.

Several automakers have faced backlash after consumers discovered their cars don't quite hit the lofty fuel economy figures promised by the companies, and Ford may be the newest casualty of all this pesky fact-checking by critics and watchdogs.

The magazine drove the cars 2,000 miles (3,200 km) and consistently got around 39 mpg (6.2 L/100km) for the Fusion and 37 mpg (6.4 L/100km) for the C-Max. Jake Fisher, director of auto testing for Consumer Reports, said this is the largest discrepancy between what automakers MPG claims and the actual real-world driving results.

"It's not to say these are bad cars at all; they still get excellent fuel economy," Fisher said. "But we've been doing this for a long time, and we've never seen such a difference between the EPA estimates and our numbers."

Ford said its figures were certified by the EPA, but the EPA only tests about 10 to 15 per cent of the cars on the road. Ford said some early reports from customers showed the cars getting even better fuel economy than 47 mpg (5.0 L/100km).

"This reinforces the fact that driving styles, driving conditions, and other factors can cause mileage to vary," said Wes Sherwood, a spokesman for Ford. For customers who want to optimize their fuel economy, the cars come with different driving coach software to help drivers get better fuel economy, he said.
Here's what we say: HOGWASH

Consumer Report Video: Consumer Reports calls out Ford for false Fusion, C-Max hybrid fuel economy claims

 

The chart suggests that even Hyundai's pre-adjusted fuel economy results corroborate more closely than most automakers, with the largest disparity falling to Dodge and Ford.
Looks like Mazda is the Best!



FROM: Hyundai, Los Angeles Times and Consumer Reports in fuel economy skirmish?

 

Thanks Noggin.

If I understand the chart correctly than it does not say which brand gets the best fuel mileage but which brand keeps its promises regarding fuel mileage claims.

That said: VW would be "best" because VW is closest to the 100% mark.
Dodge would be worst because it is farthest from the 100% mark and Mazda is sandbagging!
In this case you can't go wrong with sandbagging. Under-promise and over-deliver makes for satisfied customers.

 

We have a Winner!
You are absolutely right.