2015 Honda Accord Hybrid vs Ford Fusion Hybrid |
- 2015 Honda Accord Hybrid vs Ford Fusion Hybrid
- 2015 Infiniti Q70 Review
- 2015 Hyundai Sonata 2.4 Limited Review
| 2015 Honda Accord Hybrid vs Ford Fusion Hybrid Posted: 09 Sep 2014 05:00 PM PDT  Share this Article Natalie Reid was born in Winnipeg, Canada, and probably never guessed that she would wind up finding work impersonating career party animal and public fool Paris Hilton. I've never had that conversation with Dillon Blanski, but it's hard to picture the man who designed Ford's latest Fusion finding fault with my logic. Et tu, Aston Martin? As you probably remember, it debuted for the 2012 model year to a warm if not slightly cynical group of automotive writers who couldn't help but compare it to products from Ford's upper crust former subsidiary brand.
Nevertheless, the Fusion Hybrid is a remarkably efficient machine. The revised sticker suggests you should see an average of 42 MPG between highway and city driving and honestly, that ain't bad. But now Honda is offering a hybrid version of the Accord that locks horns with the Fusion and supposedly offers an average 47 MPG. As a long-time lover of Honda's mid-sizer, I set plans in motion to see which of the two is a better choice.
The Fusion also uses a four-cylinder engine and electric motors for a total system output of 188 hp. Ford positioned the bulkier parts of its hybrid system in the trunk area and that intrudes on the cargo space. Boxier objects might not fit, but the advantage is that the seats can be folded and that means it's still possible to use the trunk and cabin as a single space.
Good Looking and Great Looking
Don't let the Fusion's dashing style nab you hook, line and sinker. It looks good, but so does the Accord. Both manufacturers avoided unnecessarily styling elements that scream "hybrid" or "green car." The Accord gets a revised grille while both it and the Fusion wear subtle hybrid badges, but little more. Ford offers the Fusion with 18-inch wheels while the Accord gets model-specific 17's. Big Difference in Cabin Details
You could debate the merits of how both cars look from a curb for hours, but it isn't until you get inside that the differences really become clear. The Fusion's seats are softer and more couch-like, but the interior is a distant second to the quality and attention to detail Honda puts into the Accord. Both cars have hard plastic surfaces scattered throughout, but Honda does a better job of hiding them. Perhaps more importantly, the buttons and switches are more satisfying to press.
Despite that, the Honda has downsides. For some reason, the Hybrid model is only offered with a beige interior and the car I borrowed to test was already showing dirt with only a few thousand miles on the odometer. Driving it Home
Needless to say, neither car is exciting to drive and they probably shouldn't be because they are both designed with fuel efficiency as a top priority. Even still, there are differences you should know about. The Fusion's steering feels quicker and slightly heavier than the Accord does. Honda's product feels nimbler, but that's probably as much a product of how light its wheel feels in your hand as anything else.
It's worth noting that the Fusion is available with automatic parallel parking and a "lane keep assist" feature that prevents the car from drifting over a painted line on the highway.
Then again, Honda has "LaneWatch," which is a camera mounted on the right-hand side-view mirror feeding into one of the two screens in the dashboard. It offers a wider viewing angle and that makes driving in tight city traffic much easier.
Remarkably, the Fusion scored an average 46 MPG to beat the newly revised estimates even if it still falls short of what Ford used to claim. That's nothing to sneer at, but the Accord blew it away with 51 miles per gallon.
The VerdictI wouldn't expect to achieve that sort of fuel economy in either car while commuting through heavy traffic in either car, but it's certainly possible provided you avoid hard acceleration. Ford charges $27,165 for a basic Fusion Hybrid, or $34,700. Honda's starting price for the hybrid is higher at $29,945 including delivery, but it also comes better equipped at the base level. "Touring" trimmed models like the car I drove cost $35,845 including delivery. There's one other thing to keep in mind. The supply of Accord Hybrids to U.S. dealers is stuck at a trickle because Honda is having a hard time supplying the hybrid components to the Ohio factory where it conducts final assembly on the car and that means sitting on a potentially long waiting list. If you can take the time, I would implore you to. The Fusion isn't bad, but the Accord Hybrid really is that much better. 2015 Ford Fusion Hybrid
2015 Honda Accord Hybrid
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| Posted: 08 Sep 2014 05:00 PM PDT  Share this Article Despite its strongest efforts, Infiniti has generally played second or third fiddle to the usual suspects when it comes to premium car brands, but the last few new products – the three-row QX60 crossover and Q50 sport sedan – are making even the most jaded critics take notice.
Despite getting new names a couple years back, there have been few subsequent alterations to the rest of Infiniti's products. Now Longer Than BeforeBut the biggest news – har, har – is the new extended-wheelbase L model. Amazingly, the L looks really well balanced and it takes a good eye to spot one without its smaller twin alongside. Already built for the Chinese market where models with prodigious rear seat space are king, the Q70L sees a 5.9-inch stretch in wheelbase and 7.2-inch increase from bumper to bumper. The wheelbase figure is directly applicable to rear knee room, which increases the to 32.5 inches with a similar 5.6-inch boost in overall rear legroom.
Beyond the business class cabin, extended wheelbase models get brighter reading lamps and a spare 12-volt power outlet in the back along with available heated rear seats and doors that can't be slammed to prevent passengers from being caught if their chauffeur is too zealous about shutting them. There are quibbles, though. While Infiniti provides three seatbelts, the middle rider will end up perching uncomfortably on the large driveshaft tunnel. It would also be nice to have the option for cooled rear seats because the aftmost air vents alone aren't adequate to chill the area on intensely sunny days.
Otherwise, the rest of the Q70's interior is largely unchanged, with 10-way power heated front seats, a heated steering wheel and beautiful ash trim all standard. As are a 10-speaker Bose audio system with a USB port, navigation, Bluetooth connectivity and satellite radio. The seven-inch touch screen is easy to read and is where the around-view monitor and rear-view cameras display. Specs Stay Mostly The SameMechanically, the Q70 remains largely the same. Most models use Infiniti's 3.7-liter V6 with 330 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque, while the optional 5.6-liter V8 with makes 420 horses and 417 lb-ft (or 416 horsepower and 414 lb-ft in Q70Ls because of a rerouted exhaust.) Both engines can be had in either wheelbase, with seven-speed automatic transmission and either rear- or optional all-wheel drive. The Q70 Hybrid retains its 3.5-liter V6 and 50-kw electric motor that combine to 360 horsepower, although it's only available in the regular wheelbase in rear-wheel drive configuration. Infiniti is also offering optional sport packages, although only in short-wheelbase models; Q70L models can get a 20-inch wheel package with more enthusiastic rubber, but nothing more dramatic. Sport Models Noticeably BetterThe difference on the road between the V6 Sport I drove and the more relaxed Q70L with the same engine is pretty remarkable. The Sport package adds beefier brakes with four-piston front calipers and two-piston rears and firmer springs with "double-piston" dampers, which also helps better control the five-spoke 20-inch wheels with rubber-band 245/40R20 performance tires. The Sport's ride isn't unpleasant and I made decent progress on the curvier, tighter roads through the verdant hills in New Jersey. Most of the alterations from normal to Sport are well done, although a couple things are lacking. First, the big V6 can be heard in the cabin quite clearly and whether that's a good thing or bad depends entirely on your feelings about the VQ V6 family, but the point is that sound deadening could be better in thecar. My driving partner found it unrefined; I found it entirely acceptable and refreshing in this era of whooshing turbos and synthesized exhaust notes. Second, the Sport's steering is sub-par and fails at delivering road feedback through the wheel. Like most other new cars, Infiniti uses an electrically assisted steering pump to save fuel, but it still hasn't nailed the algorithm on weight and feedback. It is too light and there's too little information translating to the rim. The recent Q50 faced the same criticism and apparently its Sports models will "sport" old-school hydraulic power assistance borrowed from the old G37, sometime in 2015. It would probably be too difficult to easily adapt for the Q70 since it's too far along in its life. |
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2015 Hyundai Sonata 2.4 Limited Review
Posted: 07 Sep 2014 05:00 PM PDT
It's hard to envy midsize-sedan shoppers. They've got one of the toughest jobs around. Brand-agnostic buyers are literally overwhelmed with excellent choices; their cups runneth over. Automakers are building the best family cars they've ever offered. How's the typical consumer supposed to choose?
FAST FACTS |
| Engine: The 2.4 Limited is powered by a four-cylinder engine with 185 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque. Transmission: Six-speed automatic. Fuel Economy: 24 MPG city, 35 highway and 28 MPG combined. Pricing: The 2015 Hyundai Sonata start at $21,960 including $810 for destination and delivery fees. |
Is an Accord appreciably better than a Camry? Is Chrysler's all-new 200 a smarter choice than the Ford Fusion or Volkswagen Passat? Questions like these are tough to answer because every family sedan is so gosh-darn competitive these days.
Hyundai is giving customers yet another excellent option. The South Korean brand is fielding its all-new seventh-generation Sonata, which delivers advanced features, more refinement and a better driving experience than it ever did before.
Outside …
But perhaps one area where this car took a step backwards is design. The previous-generation featured dramatic exterior styling with swooping surfaces, sharply angled headlamps and a tapering roofline.
Wearing the company's "Fluidic Sculpture 2.0" design theme the 2015 model looks considerably more buttoned down. If the previous generation wore a flowery Hawaiian shirt and worked at Trader Joe's the latest Sonata is more like a member of the Geek Squad with creased slacks and a necktie.
Overall the car looks more grown up and its styling will probably age a lot better than the sheet metal its forebear was dressed in, but I kind of wish it didn't lose all of its youthful charm.
… Inside …
It's the same story inside; the car has matured, though fortunately it hasn't gone gray. Its dashboard is flatter and comprised of simpler forms. Where the previous model had curving shapes and busy angles this one is cleaner and more elegant, if a bit dull.
Hyundai gets points for its attention to detail. The cabin is extremely well built, with no noticeable fit-and-finish flaws. Everything was properly screwed together and functioned as it was supposed to; even the materials quality was surprisingly excellent with soft, low-gloss plastics and creamy leather, though there was one exception.
The simulated wood trim found in certain models is cheesier than the Wisconsin State Fair. From a distance (three miles) this plastic "timber" is ok, but when you get closer (less than 10 feet) it starts to look extremely low-rent. Prominent dots form the "wood's" grain, though they make it look like a newspaper photo that's been enlarged about 10 times.
The passenger compartment is nice and wide, perfect for generously portioned American customers. It's also quite spacious in steerage. Back-seat passengers will have little to complain about in the 2015 Sonata, unless of course they want swiveling, conversion van-style buckets, a frozen-drinks dispenser or space for a bluegrass jug band.
As for storage, this car's trunk is quite commodious; it's able to handle a maximum of 16.3 cubic feet of junk. That's more than the Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima, Honda Accord or Ford Fusion, if only slightly.
The Sonata also brandishes and available feature called Smart Trunk. It's a hands-free way of accessing the car's aft-most cargo hold. Simply stand at the rear of the vehicle for three seconds with the key fob in your pocket and the trunk will automatically open. It's like Ford's foot-activated liftgate system but does not require you to gesticulate one or more of your lower extremities.
… And Upside Down
Thanks to its generous trunk and spacious passenger cabin the 2015 Hyundai Sonata is actually classified as a large car by the U.S. EPA. Its total interior volume is 122.4 cubic feet, which makes it bigger than its core competitors; it's even more capacious than the Texas-sized Honda Accord.
Providing a solid foundation on which to build, this car's underlying architecture is comprised of more than 50 percent high-strength steel. This makes the structure 41 percent stiffer and gives it 35 percent improved bending strength; fancy numbers that mean the new Sonata is really sturdy.
It's no shock the car's suspension has been completely reworked. The new layout promises better handling and a more controlled ride with less impact harshness. Sport models get unique tuning and larger front brakes for confident stopping.
Powertrain Progress
Customers have a generous menu of powertrains to choose from with the new Sonata. The smallest engine is a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder found in the Eco model. Estimated output figures check out at 177 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. This unit is matched exclusively to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission for maximum efficiency.
This drivetrain configuration is expected to return 28 MPG in the city and up to 38 on the interstate. More importantly its combined rating should be 32 MPG.
The 2015 Sonata's most powerful propulsion option is a 2.0-liter turbo. This little dynamo puts out 245 hp with 260 lb-ft of low-end torque, a 29-pony reduction compared to the same engine in today's car. That extra oomph was traded for more low-end twist and better drivability.
Paired with a standard six-speed automatic transmission this drivetrain results in a combined consumption score of 26 miles per gallon, a figure that's derived from its city rating of 23 and its highway score of 32.
Finally, there's the engine that's stuck in the middle, a 2.4-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder, the unit I'm focused on with this review. Like its force-fed little brother this powerplant has received some modest attention. Engineers worked to improve cylinder-head cooling and redesigned the camshaft phasers for quicker response.
Busting out our trusty AutoGuide.com abacus, this engine tallies up 185 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque. That's a five-horse drop, but a sacrifice that was, again, made to boost responsiveness. Fuel economy measures up to 25 MPG city, 37 highway and 29 combined, though Sport- and Limited-trim cars are slightly less efficient. They drop to 24, 35, 28.
The Drive
One thing that's immediately obvious about the new Sonata 2.4 Limited is just how competent it is. No, it's not a sports car nor is it something you'd want to drag race on weekends, but it is really well done.
The ride strikes a nice balance between firm and flaccid; you get a good sense of what's going on down below yet there are no harsh impacts or jiggling sensations. Beyond this the tiller is appropriately weighted with nice on-center feel … finally.
Engineers revised the car's electrically boosted power-steering system by beefing some parts up, switching to a 32-bit ECU and reinforcing the rack bar. Models powered by the turbocharged engine feature a dual-pinion setup for even greater high-speed stability and improved responsiveness.
Power from the smooth-running 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine is more than adequate for family duty. Its 185-horse stable is plenty capable of getting the vehicle up to speed, though drivers will probably crave a little extra gusto if the car is loaded with passengers and parcels. The six-speed automatic is a treat as well because of its smooth, responsive performance. From a driving perspective it's everything you could want in a self-shifting gearbox.
On the other hand the car's available 2.0-liter turbo is downright muscular. Like a nougat-filled candy bar this engine is loaded with torquy goodness. It's extremely potent at low RPM, delivering diesel-like thrust just past idle. Of course the trade-off for this is a less-than-inspiring top-end. Sure, it pulls to redline but the thrust tapers off noticeably at higher engine speeds.
Pricing and Features
Like all Hyundais the 2015 Sonata comes standard with a host of attractive features. Even drivers that opt for the cheapest SE model get air conditioning, a cabin filter, cruise control, power windows and locks as well as various connectivity ports for the audio system. Beyond the basics, a raft of high-end options are also on offer. You can get smart cruise control, heated and ventilated front buckets, a navigation system with an 8-inch display and much more. Is this a luxury car or a family sedan? It's getting harder and harder to tell these days.
You can drive off the lot in an entry-level SE-trim Sonata for just $21,960 including $810 for destination and delivery fees. That's 300 bucks less that an equivalent 2014.
From there you can step up to a Sport model, which runs from the mid 23s to about 27 grand. Next comes Limited and finally Sport 2.0T. The priciest model should top out around $34,335 with all the proverbial chimes and claxons.
And in traditional Hyundai fashion the car is backed by an unbeatable warranty. Owners are shielded by a five-year/60,000 fully transferrable new-vehicle guarantee as well as 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain protection.
The Verdict
Aside from its exterior styling, which has taken a step back as well as its detuned engines, the 2015 Hyundai Sonata is a competitive entry in the midsize segment. It's a car that's easy to recommend and hard to ignore. It drives about as well as any of its rivals, its interior is comfortable and spacious plus the whole package is a compelling value. Maybe shopping for a family four-door isn't that hard after all.
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