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Dealers
Colin Mathews
Long a Toyota selling point, fuel efficiency is now a sales strategy even the slow-to-follow domestics are quickly adopting. Ford pulled a huge surprise out of its pocket with the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid, which not only beats the Camry hybrid in EPA efficiency (33/34 Camry hybrid, 41/36 Fusion hybrid), but also beat three other hybrid contenders including the Toyota Camry in Car and Driver's January issue.
Jon F. Thompson, editor of Toyota's Open Road blog, says that Toyota "respectfully and cordially" disagrees with the EPA's definition of a midsize car. He claims that a more apt comparison, based on vehicle size, would be between Toyota's Prius and the Ford Fusion hybrid (in which case the Prius would trounce the Fusion in efficiency).
While EPA milage figures can be misleading, we note that Car and Driver recorded a significant 3 mpg more (34 mpg) with the Ford Fusion hybrid than they did with the Camry hybrid on an observed 300 mile loop. And as to Toyota's contention that the Camry hybrid is a significantly larger vehicle and thus should not be judged alongside the more frugal Fusion, we present you with Car and Driver's summary of interior volumes:
- Front: Camry - 53 cu. ft, Fusion - 54 cu. ft
- Rear: Camry - 47 cu. ft, Fusion - 46 cu. ft
- Trunk: Camry - 11 cu. ft, Fusion - 12 cu. ft
Furthermore, Car and Driver lauded the Fusion hybrid as "a four-door with civilized room for five" and claimed that "nothing about the leather-lined test car...seemed economy-minded."
Is Toyota being a sore loser and splitting hairs, or do you think they have a valid argument?
2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid Enlarge Photo Long a Toyota selling point, fuel efficiency is now a sales strategy even the slow-to-follow domestics are quickly adopting. Ford pulled a huge surprise out of its pocket with the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid, which not only beats the Camry hybrid in EPA efficiency (33/34 Camry hybrid, 41/36 Fusion hybrid), but also beat three other hybrid contenders including the Toyota Camry in Car and Driver's January issue. Jon F. Thompson, editor of Toyota's Open Road blog, says that Toyota "respectfully and cordially" disagrees with the EPA's definition of a midsize car. He claims that a more apt comparison, based on vehicle size, would be between Toyota's Prius and the Ford Fusion hybrid (in which case the Prius would trounce the Fusion in efficiency). 2010 Ford FusionEnlarge Photo While EPA milage figures can be misleading, we note that Car and Driver recorded a significant 3 mpg more (34 mpg) with the Ford Fusion hybrid than they did with the Camry hybrid on an observed 300 mile loop. And as to Toyota's contention that the Camry hybrid is a significantly larger vehicle and thus should not be judged alongside the more frugal Fusion, we present you with Car and Driver's summary of interior volumes: Front: Camry - 53 cu. ft, Fusion - 54 cu. ft Rear: Camry - 47 cu. ft, Fusion - 46 cu. ft Trunk: Camry - 11 cu. ft, Fusion - 12 cu. ft Furthermore, Car and Driver lauded the Fusion hybrid as "a four-door with civilized room for five" and claimed that "nothing about the leather-lined test car...seemed economy-minded." Is Toyota being a sore loser and splitting hairs, or do you think they have a valid argument?
Responses (8 total)
By Reece #1, Posted: 1/26/2009
Sourgrapes
Sounds like soar grapes to me. Size difference between them isn't great and Prius is hybrid focused model unlike camry and Fusion so camry is better and more accurate to compare it to.
By Alan #2, Posted: 1/26/2009
Mr.
How come Toyota never complained about the numerous Camry and Fusion comparison tests before?
The EPA defines the size of cars based on interior volume. The Camry's interior volume is 101.4 cubic ft and the Fusion is 100.4 cubic ft, so they are both midsize by EPA definition. Toyota qualifies for the 2009 Sour Grapes Award.
By Jlevs #3, Posted: 1/27/2009
JL
Also The Fusion is a heavier car than Camry...shave some pounds off and it would get even better fuel economy....Toyota is def a sore loser.
By David S #4, Posted: 1/27/2009
Wa Wa Wa
Looks like Toyata is finally getting beat with there all mighty hybrids, and also matching there reliability ratings in some reports. The domestic automakers also beat there trucks. Well Toyota the big 3 are catching up, so too bad so sad!
By Matt #5, Posted: 1/27/2009
Correct Comparison
The comparison is correct because the camry and the fusion are direct competitors, they share the same market, midsize family sedan, 4 doors with a trunk. The prius is a hatchback on a shorter wheelbase and isn't directly comparable to any current ford. The only comparison for the prius is the upcoming honda insight. Ford deserves the kudos, but you can't blame toyota for complaining, the ford current beats there best effort in the category at least in mileage. Expect toyota to fire back with a more efficient camry.
By Robert #6, Posted: 1/27/2009
Toyota In The Wrong
I've owned Toyotas for years, but that doesn't mean I support them in all their assertions. In this case, Toyota is coming off like a whining child. The Fusion and Camry compete in the same segment, and I applaud Ford for their efforts in the Fusion hybrid. I drove a Fusion and must say it's un-typical of a Ford product; it's got a nice interior and drives well. Of course, reliability remains a question mark. Will the Fusion hold up as well as a Camry in five years? Who knows. I don't trust Ford's long term reliability just yet, but on the other hand, the current generation Camry is one of the most poorly constructed vehicle Toyota ever built.
By Car Nut #7, Posted: 1/28/2009
What Gives
Regardless of the numbers, Toyota has licensed the hybrid technology to Ford for their cars. When either car sells, Toyota gets money for them!
By Harry #8, Posted: 10/13/2009
Since the 2010 Prius is also a midsize car based on interior volume (in fact, I think it's bigger than the fusion when total interior volume is measured due to very large trunk), then Toyota is correct to say that the Fusion can be compared to the Prius.
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