Gas works. It’s been around forever, it’s tried and true, and it will always be around. Right? With all of the regulations in place already to keep emissions down and vehicles as environmentally conscious as possible, is it really worth the switch over to an electric or partially electric engine? It’s just more fun revving a fully gas-powered, fuel-injected, cylinder-pumping machine. So why make the switch? By taking a look at the 2020 Ford Fusion vs 2020 Mazda 6, alongside some quintessential life-facts—it’s obvious why hybrids and electric tech are more than just a fad.
Ford: From Fighting Innovation to Leading It
Ford is the oldest known name in automotive history––and hybrid technology is almost as new as Ford is old—almost. It’s hard to believe the first serious talk of hybrids and fully electric vehicles really started being cast even before the turn of the century. Some thought cars would fly or at least hover before we had fully electric engines. But with a collective movement across the industry to cut down on the green-house gases and preserve our climate for future generations, who knew Ford would come out ahead in innovation and change their entire engine design to move the nation forward?
Innovation used to be fought against over efficiency. Ford has made their innovations, not just customer accessible, but also the basis for the industry standard. By raising the floor of the market’s acceptable economy engine, the Ford Fusion is so accessible and environmentally conscious that it sets the foundation for what the rest of the market should follow when it comes to eco-friendly vehicles.
Mazda: Marrying Innovation and Traditional Mechanics
Although Mazda has made leaps and bounds over the years since first forming as a company and appearing more heavily in the American industry as of the ’60s and ’70s, the company is still holding true to remaking and optimizing the technology already available to us. Mazda is perhaps number one in the industry when it comes to giving us the most out of what is already there and eeking out the best possible optimization for traditional tech. Essentially, they keep rebuilding, honing in, and optimizing the technology that we know while adding enhancements that give old tech a whole new look and feel. They know engine performance can be better and are dedicated to doing more with the gasoline-powered engine than any other company in the industry.
None of this is bad or wrong. It is what moves the industry forward as a whole. Mazda’s partnering with several other American companies such as GM and Ford continued to spark innovation, but at a serious cost to both sides of the partnership. Mazda’s refusal to develop hybrid and renewable-resource engines and focus instead on maximizing energy efficiency holds to a mission that will not be sustainable in the long run for our earth and economy.
Sustainability: Why Would a Ford Beat Out a Mazda?
We have no idea what the fossil fuel industry will look like in twenty years. Twenty years ago, we could still fuel up under $15, but that is a thing of the past. Our global situation is in such flux that to still depend entirely on fossil fuels, no matter how efficiently, is dinosaur thinking that should have become extinct a long time ago. Why does this hold true for vehicle performance and not just in the case of longevity and tree-hugging predictions? Let’s delve into the engines of the 2020 Ford Fusion and the 2020 Mazda 6 and check out their economic impact on the owner. It will become clear why hybridization over sole combustion is the wise way of the future and the smart choice for the present.
What this means for the average American budget
The entering price point for the Mazda 6engines is high, as well as the cost of ownership when maintenance is required. Even though it could well make up for itself in the fuel economy department, it would be better up-front to just go with a Fusion Hybrid. If we break down the engines, it can also be clear what kind of budget footprint we are talking about here.
Engines and Performance
There are very few sedans out there that ride like a Mazda. The fully optimized engine performance is hard to beat when it comes to highway or back-roads driving. But when looking at the Ford Fusion’s versatility and dependability, it’s even more difficult to decide between luxury and efficiency or price and eco-friendliness. By breaking down the engines, a better picture can show what actually impacts the smooth ride and fuel efficiency of both vehicles.
In the 2020 Ford Fusion, there are three different gas-powered engines available, two hybrid options, and a plug-in hybrid available. A 1.5L Ti-VCT engine is the starting engine and keeps the Fusion running smoothly and efficiently at a standard 23/34 MPG. Next up is a 2.0L Ti-VCT engine followed by a 2.5L i-VCT engine.
The 2020 Ford Fusion Hybrid models reach up to 43/41 MPG with a 2.0L i-VCT Atkinson-Cycle I-4 hybrid engine. However, if you opt for the plug-in engine, you would get a similar 2.0L engine, but the fuel economy is 103 MPGe.
With Mazda, you have two engine options: a SKYACTIV-G4 2.5-liter DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder with VVT and Cylinder Deactivation and a SKYACTIV-G4 2.5T Dynamic Pressure Turbo DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder with VVT. The fuel efficiency quickly falls away as you gain more horsepower. It is designed for no options with a max fuel efficiency of 26/35 MPG. But with it being a traditional gas burner that aids in redirecting energy combusted to other parts of the car, as crazy technician-happy as that makes me, is it really cutting down on emissions? And in the long run, is it really saving money? That really comes down to independent owner’s use and doing some quick figure math on gas used and fuel prices. But overall, the Fusion offers more affordable flexibility as well as adaptable engines.
Safety
Ford has more features when it comes to tech and safety. The Mazda 6 has special bundles that can be added on––but few safety features come standard at the same price point as the Fusion’s add-ons such as:
- Collision avoidance
- Navigational assist
- Auto-breaking
The Mazda does offer standard luxury features, an exceptional craftsman look and feel, and interior trim options and exterior finishes that would put the base Fusion to shame, but at what cost?
Renewable VS Traditional
In the world today, it is very difficult to be eco-conscious and still operate a vehicle at all… may be other than an electric scooter or a bike. Shout out to bike life! On the other side, it’s difficult to enjoy large, beautiful pieces of machinery when we are constantly being told how such wonderful pieces of human engineering are not environmentally friendly.
Why is there this line of compromise? Can’t we have both? Cars are being built so efficiently today, compared to fifty or even thirty years ago, why is there still an outcry over renewable energy sources vs traditional when we’re obviously moving in the right direction? Maximizing efforts now and knowing who we are supporting in those efforts is a pretty big deal. If you don’t know whose side you’re on, you won’t know which way you’re going.
What Does It All Boil Down To?
Ford is choosing rather than to look back and tinker and hassle with the re-inventing of the gasoline engine to move forward to the more appropriate renewable sources. They are not doing their entire brand, of course. At least Mazda won’t install anything less efficient than their optimized SKYACTIV-G4 2.5-liter DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder with VVT and Cylinder Deactivation in any of their vehicles, but Ford knows where the industry is headed and is making breakthroughs so that one day the entire Ford line will be sustainable from renewable sources.
We have hit the 21st century everyone! And it is not going exactly according to plan. But one thing that will never stop stabilizing us and our economy is Ford leading the industry with more than age-old innovation as they push us to our limits to rethink what is most important when it comes to the auto industry. When it comes down to vehicle engine life and performance and its earth impact—is hybrid and plug-in innovation really helping? When it comes to Ford, it is.
