Q: If you had to choose right now, would you pick as your next car a Toyota Prius or the new Ford Fusion hybrid? And what would be the deciding factor (or factors) in making that choice?
A: I really couldn’t say which I’d choose. I haven’t driven the Fusion hybrid or the new-generation Prius, redone for this model year.
Although I’ve read plenty about both cars, I wouldn’t make such a decision without spending a fair amount of time behind the wheel of both. And I’d highly recommend that anyone contemplating such a choice not fall in love with one or the other (or any car, for that matter) until covering some miles in an assortment of driving conditions in it.
The Ford Fusion hybrid is getting rave reviews almost across the board. Its miles-per-gallon ratings aren’t quite as good as those of the Prius (41/36 city/highway mpg versus 51/48) but it is said to be much smoother when it shifts from electric to gas power, and it has lots of nice features.
The Prius has been a darling of consumers (and auto journalists) since it rolled onto the scene nearly a decade ago.
Both are said to be pretty solid in virtually all driving conditions and fairly easy to handle; the 2010 Prius is a little bigger than in previous incarnations and a few cabin alterations have improved on some minor annoyances of the past.
If you’re asking the question to help make your own choice, I’d say spend a decent amount of time as a driver and also as a passenger and you’ll know exactly which fits your needs.
Q: My in-laws want to give our son the fast little sports car of his dreams for his 18th birthday in January. He’s a good student and good kid and yet I’m resisting it, for several reasons. I’ve promised not to try to influence your position, so I’ll say no more, but four adults are awaiting your advice.
A: I say bad idea for the kid to get a hot little sports car.
Don’t let your son know I said this (and if you do, don’t tell him where I live). But I think a sports car for someone still in high school and still dealing with not-fully-formed suppression capabilities is not the perfect choice. That kind of car practically screams “drive me hard and show the world how hot you are.” I don’t know a lot of teen boys who can refuse that siren’s call.
Much of being a teen revolves around pushing limits. I’d much prefer that kids who are dealing with that drive cars that aren’t mostly about communicating a certain big-shot image.
I think grandma and grandpop would be serving him, the family and the driving public much better by giving him a less potent, less suggestive vehicle that’s built like a brick bunker, has a reputation for reliability instead of speed and is loaded with the latest safety equipment.
Because here are the facts: Car crashes are the leading cause of teen deaths in the U.S. each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control. About 5,000 teens (age 16 to 20) are killed in car accidents annually and 400,000 more are seriously injured. And here’s the icing: male teen drivers are more likely to be killed in a wreck than female drivers of the same age. The reasons for this are many, including that, studies show, male teens are more likely to speed and tailgate, and if they’ve got another male teen in the car, far more likely to engage in high-risk behaviors.
Are there exceptions to these unhappy numbers? Sure. And maybe your son is one of them. But what’s wrong with letting him mature for a few years, improve his driving skills and getting him that hot little car after he has, hopefully, emerged from the highest-risk years unscathed?
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