Ford Fusion's returning low mpg in cold weather test drives

It's no surprise that cold weather does a number on a hybrid's fuel economy, but we now have a second major reviewer who's having trouble getting the Ford Fusion hybrid to reach the hybrid's EPA rating of 41 mpg city/36 highway result. USAToday reviewer Jim Healey likes the Fusion over the Prius, but when he tested the car for a week, he got an average of 27.2 mpg. Now, Ward's auto reviewer Byron Pope managed just 33 mpg, but this was during a recent spell of cold weather. The folks over at CleanMPG forums aren't exactly pleased with Pope's performance, and it is true that personal driving style has a huge impact in fuel economy. When we tested the Fusion hybrid out in California two months ago, we managed 43 mpg. But, when we tested the Fusion's sibling, the Mercury Milan, recently (and in the cold) we got 29.4 mpg. As they say, and is very worth repeating, your mileage may vary.

[Source: Ward's Auto via All Cars Electric]