The Honda Civic’s fuel-stingy heritage is more than legend. While it might seem hard for some to believe nowadays, eighties and nineties Honda Civic gas mileage ratings were extraordinary, with highway numbers that ranged into the forties and fifties. History cannot be rewritten when documentation exists to prove the facts.
The Ford Fusion was introduced in the 2006 model year, filling a gap in the Ford lineup that was once occupied by the relatively short-lived Tempo and Contour. Slotted between the Focus and Taurus, the Fusion – in Hybrid trim – is the most fuel-efficient sedan among Ford’s current offerings, with gas mileage ratings of 41 city / 36 highway miles per gallon (MPG).
Ford relies on a bit of aerodynamic magic – and an option package – to allow the 2012 Focus to hit the magic 40 mile per gallon (MPG) highway mark. Unfortunately, the Super Fuel Economy (SFE) package is only available on Focus SE sedans equipped with the six-speed PowerShift dual dry-clutch automatic transmission. If you prefer the five-door hatchback or a manual transmission, you’ll have to settle for a slightly less fuel efficient vehicle.
MPG-o-Matic 2012 Ford Focus Review Summary:
When you compare the 2012 Ford Focus to the previous year’s model, the differences are remarkable. Remove their badges and you wouldn’t guess the two cars share the same name. The 2012 Focus looks, feels and drives like a European car that just happens to be built at a Michigan Assembly Plant … because, in fact, it is. While it falls a wee bit short of the fuel economy claims of its rivals, the new Focus is truly world class.
While the BMW 5-Series might not come to mind when gas mileage is a prime consideration, a look at the numbers can be an eye-opener. Over the years, the six-cylinder equipped 5-Series’ peak highway mile per gallon (MPG) ratings have hovered in the high twenties to low thirties. It’s about to get better …
