I always like the transition from one month to another as that is the time all the magazines I subscribe to make their appearances.
This month is no exception with the February 2009 issue of Car & Driver hitting the mailbox last night with a cover story titled, "FUEL-SIPPIN' SHOWDOWN! Can Detroit Build A Better Hybrid?"
OK, let me get my initial thought (er, joke) out of the way, can Detriot build a better anything? Ha ha ha.
There on the cover is the newly redesigned Ford Fusion along with the Camry, Altima and Malibu. All in their Hybrid versions.
Now I don't know about you, but when a car magazine gives prime placement to Hybrid sedans and secondary placement to the fact that within the same issue the new Nissan 370Z, Ferrari California and Ford Mustang GT, there must be a shift in the minds of the readers. Perceived or otherwise, C&D seems to think that this Hybrid showdown is important.
And after reading the article, I have to agree that it is important.
It looks as though Ford has beaten Toyota at the game Toyota essentially created. Based on the scoring criteria at C&D, criteria which includes items like comfort, ergonomics, fuel economy, performance along with subjective categories like "gotta have it" and "fun to drive" the Fusion comes out on top with a pretty convincing win.
Scoring 204 points out of a possible 250, the Fusion beats the second place Camry whose score was 189. Interesting to note that the other cars, the Altima and Malibu scored within 11 points of the Camry with the Altima scoring 184 and the Malibu 178. It appears as though the Fusion really had a significant win in this showdown.
But how, you might be asking.
Don't worry, I asked the same thing.
The Fusion was ranked #1 in the "fun to drive" and "gotta have it" subjective categories, with the author suggesting that the Fusion was the most engaging of the hybrid vehicles as well as the most efficient.
Bright spots like this Fusion suggest there still may be some fight left in Detroit after all.
The author writes, "Ford really hit all the marks with this hybrid Fusion, combining excellent fuel economy with slick manners and an engrossing personality. Fun and fuel economy have finally gotten married in a mid-size sedan."
Now the hurdle for Ford, getting people into the showroom to give the Fusion a look.
I guess the question to ask is, would you be willing to give the Fusion a chance. And in that same vein, do you agree with the outcome? Did C&D get it right in ranking the Ford above the Toyota?
Let us know your thoughts...