Car & Driver Ranks FFE #2 in EV Comparo

[jmueller065]

One thing I noticed reading the whole comparison: They were so enamored of the Spark's motor with the 1/2 shaft going through it without realizing that the Focus (and Fit EV, FCV) before it also have the same arrangement.

 

[michael]

Also, notice that the testing used Aerovironment Turbo Cords for charging...these are 16 Amp units. Their use obscured the fact that the Spark is limited to 3kW class charging. If they had used full capability level 2 chargers (32 or greater Amp capacity) and had counted charging time in their ratings, the Spark would have suffered greatly.

The fact that Spark supports SAE fast charging is not a mitigation, considering that essentially no such chargers are available for public use.

 

[unplugged]

Also, notice that the testing used Aerovironment Turbo Cords for charging...these are 16 Amp units.

Yes, C&D did a disservice by using slow chargers. It looks as if they got some product placement fee or something.

 

[Bloggin]

Car & Driver posted the comparo to its website. Here is the link:
http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons/2014-chevy-spark-ev-vs-fiat-500e-ford-focus-electric-honda-fit-ev-nissan-leaf-smart-fortwo-ed-comparison-test

One thing that is consistent with C&D is they go out of their way to slam a Ford/Lincoln product. They trashed the new MKZ until other magazines actually drove it and gave it glowing reviews and sales started to climb as inventories filled at dealerships. They did an early article on the new 2015 Lincoln MKC which made them seem bipolar, by trashing and praising the same attributes over and again in the same article.

Most recently they created their own 'rendering' of what they think the 2016 Lincoln MKS might look like, then proceeded to trash that and their made up assumptions about Ford, as if it was real.

But they are learning slowly, as their website is slammed by actual consumer comments, magazine subscriptions cancelled every time they do it.

So I wouldn't put too much credibility behind what C&D has to say about the Focus Electric and their 'skewed' way of ensuring anyone else would win their own EV comparison.

The best non-subjective EV test was done by Edmunds last January 2013. And it's about time for their next edition.

http://www.edmunds.com/fuel-economy/testing-electric-vehicles-in-the-real-world.html

 

[unplugged]

One thing that is consistent with C&D is they go out of their way to slam a Ford/Lincoln product.

I'm quite pleased with the way the FFE was treated in the comparo. Their two complaints about the FFE centered on the lack of acceleration and the low efficiency of it electrical use. The complaint about the lack of acceleration can be understood because Car & Driver places a premium on performance. That is what they are: a performance magazine. The low electric efficiency is an interesting, if complex complaint. But BOTH of these issues are direct numerical calculations, hardly indicative of bias.

The remainder of the review about the FFE was certainly supportive. C&D favorably compared the FFE to the Model S several time, calling it "The Tesla Model S for the rest of us...."

I don't see any bias (other than one for performance) in this article. In fact they rather roundly criticized the industry leader by placing the Leaf in fourth.

 

[JimB_FFE]

I used to be a Car and Driver subscriber (since 1994) but I stopped renewing in 2009 when it became obvious they hate EVs, regardless of their merits.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2012-ford-focus-electric-instrumented-test-review

Although C&Ds instruments report unremarkable performance numbers for all EV (with the exception of Tesla), those of us who live with the cars know how fun they are to drive despite those modest 0 - 60, 1/4 mile, and top speed numbers. It must have something to do with the immediate availability of torque at any speed - without fanfare or having to figure out which gear to grab or waiting for the engine to rev up to speed.

Maybe C&D will come around some day, but it take an EV that will make their instruments happy.

 

[Strongbad71]

Interesting article. Having seen all these cars recently and just leasing a FFE last week, there is no comparison. The FFE is like a luxury car inside and out. I would never, NEVER drive the Spark due to its cheap interior and dorky looks. Everyone remarks how nice the exterior and interior styling is on my FFE. And C&D mentions the slow charger like its not important. My FFE charges in 2.5 hours and often less on a 30 Amp Level 2. You can use it more often by charging during the day, making it way more useful. The FFE is heavier - but its also BIGGER and more useful. I can fit all 3 of my kids in there comfortably. The Spark is a 4 seater, and it very small inside.

And yes, the Turbo Cord is 20 Amps and really throws of the charging time difference between the Spark and FFE. Charge time is a huge factor in my purchase. My office is considering installing Level 2 chargers. so it will make the car even more useful during the day and still be able to get home.

Spark Charge Time: 7 hours on Turbocord AND even a Level 2 charger
FFE Charge Time: 6 hours on Turbocord, but 3.5 hours on Level 2 charger. C&D makes no mention of this little fact.

No way the Spark should have won in the real world.

EDIT: The Spark is only available in 2 states. The FFE is widely available, including my state of New Jersey. Selling a car in only 2 states should be a factor as well.

 

[v_traveller]

Congratulations on picking up an FFE, Strongbad71! Agree with you on the Spark EV... never took one out on the road, but I did spend some time playing around with one on the showroom floor. It's got a real econonbox feel to it. I really wish GM chose to make a BEV out of something else, like the Sonic, which in my mind has the boyish good looks that evoke memories of hot hatches from the late-1980s. Still wouldn't have matched up to the FFE, though, nor does anything I've driven in its price range, in my opinion... it's still by far my favorite ride in this little geek parade I have going in my driveway.

 

[Strongbad71]

Never bothered to drive a Spark either... what is the point? It could have 300hp and I am not driving that thing, and its too small to be useful around town. And looks weird...

I think the biggest competition may be the upcoming eGolf, depending on price and range. But its the only other normal looking and normal sized pure EV I think (in this price range).