Given their market segment, a Ford Fusion hybrid
vs. Honda Civic hybrid contrast is going to hinge on their respective price,
cost of operation and, above all, their fuel economy. The hybrid market has
always been targeted firmly at customers who are looking for the very best in
mileage numbers, without undue sacrifices in performance options and interior
comfort.
If you're looking for a
new hybrid, or if you're just curious about the details of the Ford Fusion
hybrid vs. Honda Civic hybrid matchup, you should be sure to get multiple
quotes from dealers in your area. These two cars are near the pinnacle of the
modern hybrid market so a Ford Fusion hybrid vs. Honda Civic hybrid
side-by-side comparison is bound to be informative at the very least.
Hybrid engine comparison
Ford has somewhat reworked the Fusion for the 2013 model year. The consensus in the marketplace seems to be that Ford has done nearly everything right, starting with the power plant. Under the hood, the Fusion packs an extremely efficient 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine that's been tuned to the Atkinson cycle and paired with an electric motor for a combined 185 hp. Not to be outdone, the Civic emerges from a recent makeover of its own with an even lighter 1.5-liter four-cylinder with a CVT and electric engine that manages to pull a combined 110 hp.
Hybrid fuel economy
The fuel economy of these two is very close, with the unique setup of the Fusion giving the Ford a slight edge. The Fusion hybrid can be counted on to deliver 47 mpg, whether in the city or on the highway, while the Civic trails by just a hair at 44 mpg, city and highway. While the CVT of the Civic adds a lot of extra economy to the power system, it's likely that Ford's miracle is due to its engine cycle. You may be forgiven for wondering what would happen if the two technologies were ever brought together in a single vehicle.
Hybrid price
While the Fusion has the edge in mileage, the Civic takes the cake for sticker price. The single options package offered by Honda retails at a mere $24,360, while the wider choice of options available for the Ford pushes the Fusion's MSRP to between $27,200 and $32,100. While Honda seems to have gone for the "lighter, cheaper" approach, it's entirely possible that Ford is on to something with its "customer choice" approach to pricing.
Each of these two cars
is a modern marvel. Given the present ubiquity of the hybrid, it's easy to
forget that just 15 years ago, 47 mpg would have seemed like sorcery. The fact
that two giants of automaking have converged on this point—along with more than
a few of their competitors—is a testament to the forces driving the market,
where many car buyers are now interested in the Ford Fusion hybrid vs. Honda
Civic hybrid comparison.
To complete your
comparison, be sure to contact multiple dealers to find the lowest price quotes
in your area. Then set up a test drive to get the feel for both models.
Author Bio:
Alex Gabriel is a
writer at Reply! with several years of digital marketing and copywriting
experience. A native of Portland and graduate of the University of Oregon, Alex
has a passion for writing about new cars. To learn more about the Ford Fusion
Hybrid, see his price guide for new Ford models.