Range is a valuable feature. However, I think it's misguided when they put a big fuel tank in a little car just to be able to say it can do 700+ miles or "1000 miles" on a tank of gas to make it sound like its super-efficient. Especially if the goal is fuel efficiency in a small car where fuel = more weight and typically smaller motors.

I believe the recommendation is to stop every 2 hours of continuous driving. It's good to fend off clot formation, for stretching, for renewing alertness, to check the vehicle, and it's another chance to fuel up. I've done the LA-SF drive many times, as well as Seattle - SF, and Seattle - LA. Not once have I ever been in jeopardy of running out of fuel in a 250 mile range car (Jeep Wrangler) or a 400+ mile range car (GTI). I still stop just as often, either at a rest stop or gas station.

The only benefit (personally) for long range is when I go on one of those "remote" camping trips where the nearest gas station is like 75 miles away, so there and back eats up a good 1/3 tank plus any driving/offroading, etc. I sure as hell wouldn't be taking a Ford Fusion though...

 

I wonder what GM's V6 Diesel would have done in mpg in either Zeta or Sigma...

 

You know for some little old ladies that hardly ever drive, that sort of range might start presenting issues with the age of the fuel.

 

My grandmother before she died in 2002 had a 1995 Olds. In that 7 years she put 18,000 miles on the car. She dove slow and would have filled the tank less than most people change their oil in a year if she was driving a Fusion Hybrid.

 

23mph sounds very slow, but it's an average, and it isn't too bad if you deal with stop and go traffic. Keep in mind their test route probably won't include too much (if any) hwy driving, and will most likely tackle normal roads with stop and go traffic which is where the hybrid system really shines.

I usually average no more than 28-30mph on a full tank and that's with me driving 10-15mph over the speed limit half the time. That's also with 2/5th's hwy driving.

So the 23mph average isn't as bad as it sounds.