Good Morning Warren and Friends,
One of the chatters last week asked, “What group would have this information? I know when the turbo 4 ECOBOOST came out at first, people seemed unsure about it in terms of MPG and reliability. Specifically talking about the 2.0T in the Fusion Titanium, not the smaller 1.5. Has the 2.0T Ecoboost turned out to be a reliable unit? It’s in the Fusion, Escape, Lincolns, and even the Edge, Explorer, to I think. I’m wondering if it’s as solid as the other 2.0 Turbos out there from BMW, MB, Audi/VW, Hyundai, etc.”
I asked my colleagues online and at Consumer Reports. CR doesn’t have a comparison yet, but Douglas did send a note that said, “CR has been reporting reliability information at the model level in recent years, and so we no longer have separate and detailed information on specific vehicles or trim levels.
That said, in the most recent 2016 survey, the overall reliability of the Fusion has been above average (4 on a five-point scale) for the model years 2015 and 2016, and the new car prediction is also a 4. Engine trouble spots (major or minor) are all 5’s for the model years that have the 2.0-liter turbo. Based on those solid numbers, CR believes this turbo engine has been reliable–at least in the Fusion. (Otherwise, CR’s survey experts would have seen a negative impact on overall reliability.)
Results from CR’s 2017 auto reliability survey are being evaluated now and will be released in October.”
Another colleague sent me his article on turbos and new car reliability. Michael Karesh from True Delta posted the most recent piece he’s written on common major problems. Overall it remains relevant. Michael went into depth in the article and next time would add oil consumption in 2011-2013 Subarus with the then-new naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine.
Range Rover Evoque convertible
Finally, Stretch and I drove the Range Rover Evoque convertible this week. I have not been in a car that got so many looks in years! I’ve been in Range Rovers before, but this SUV convertible is different. Everyone loved it! Even the guy who got my chicken feed for me, even though he thought he would never be able to afford it, loved it. You know you’re on to something when the people who can’t afford the car love the car, instead of dissing it.
The Evoque soft top doesn’t have as much room as a conventional SUV, more like an Audi A4 convertible in total space. The trunk is small, (can you see my polish hen in the trunk?) not a liftback like most Range Rovers, but here is the key; every other sports car convertible you drive you to have to lower yourself into as though you’re going to take a bath. This vehicle allows you to sit in it without having to have the upper body strength of a fighter pilot getting into a cockpit. The roof goes up and down within seconds. And it is only $58,270 out the door! That is right in line with a luxury premium SUV. EPA estimated fuel is 20 city/ 28 highway/ 23 combined. We got 23.2 mpg and ran all over the place in the vehicle. It’s so much fun to drive a vehicle that makes people smile.
Let’s chat about cars
To read the rest of the Washington Post car chat click on the chicken in the trunk picture
The trunk is small, (can you see my polish hen in the trunk?)
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