Consumer Reports calls out Ford mileage claims

Yet another flagship Ford technology has ended up on Consumer Reports' bad side. After roundly panning the MyFord Touch infotainment system, the magazine has now gone after EcoBoost, Ford's line of direct-injected turbocharged gasoline engines. CR went so far as to label the technology “Eco-Boast.” Me-ow.

So, what made the notoriously straight-laced Consumer Reports resort to elementary schoolyard name calling? Apparently the publication's EcoBoost economy tests haven't matched the automakers' EPA-rated claims -- particularly for the new Ford Fusion.

Referring to the 1.6-liter EcoBoost Fusion, CR says, “Its 25 mpg overall places it among the worst of the crop of recently redesigned family sedans. The Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, and Nissan Altima, all with conventional 2.4- or 2.5-liter four-cylinder engines, get an additional 2, 5, and 6 mpg, respectively. And all accelerate more quickly.”

The 2.0-liter EcoBoost Fusion doesn't fare much better, with the magazine saying its Fusion Titanium “returned 22 mpg (which pales against the 25 and 26 mpg we recorded for the best V6 family sedans), slower acceleration and reduced refinement compared to its V6-powered peers.”

Not surprisingly, Ford is skeptical of CR's results, even going so far as to extend the J.D. Power finger. “We cannot answer for how Consumer Reports did testing, but its findings are not consistent with our internal and external feedback,” said Ford spokesman Wes Sherwood. “EcoBoost vehicles lead in customer satisfaction for fuel economy across segments -- including surveys by J.D. Power.”

For our part, we're actually going to have to side with Consumer Reports on this one. Our recently tested Ford Fusion Titanium with AWD and the 2.0-liter EcoBoost I-4 returned between 17.8-21.2 mpg combined. Though significant city and cold-weather driving surely didn't help matters, it was still a disappointing showing from an engine billed as an eco-friendly alternative.

Any EcoBoost Fusion owners out there want to weigh in? Give us your real-world mileage in the comments and we'll share with both Ford and Consumer Reports.

By Andrew Stoy