https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94-FTyjjwBA
Is this what you are talking about Principal ?
YUP! This video looks like the same kind of deception - Spend $1k on the 2.0L and you'll get better fuel economy than the other Explorers.
I think everyone would agree that the EPA test cycles are the same for all vehicles. So when the Ex V6 AWD is hwy rated @ 23 mpg, and the Ex V6 FWD is hwy rated @ 24 mpg, and the Ex 2.0L is hwy rated @ 28 mpg - it's all done under the exact same cycle and conditions. So, by comparison, one should expect that the 2.0L will get better fuel economy under similar conditions that are somewhat different than the EPA test cycle, such as steady cruising at 60 mph, 65 mph or even 70 mph.
My best comparison is with the Consumers Reports testing of the AWD V6 which was done at a steady 65 mph and it achieved 26 mpg. Our 2.0L consistently gets 26 mpg at a steady 65 mph. Is it wrong to expect the 2.0L to do better than the V6 AWD? Maybe expecting 5 mpg better as the EPA testing comparison would suggest could be a little optimistic, but it should be better than 26. My comparisons with other Ex V6 FWD are more subjective in that I am relying on what other owners tell me about what they get and how fast they drive, but still the claims from them is that they get ~24 mpg at steady cursing speeds of 70-75 mph. We also got that same fuel economy on our test drive of a V6 FWD. Being that our 2.0L usually gets the same 24 mpg, it is wrong to expect that, by comparison, that we should do better? Once again, perhaps 4 mpg better may be a bit optimistic, but something better is not unreasonable. Someone suggested that I should have test driven or even rented an Ex 2.0L. If one had been available, I would have. We test drive an Edge with the 2.0L, but it was a fairly short test drive with a salesperson with us.
Now perhaps we need to consider that EPA testing allows for manufacturers to use testing results for other vehicles with the same drive train to be used for other models such as what Ford did for the Fusion Hybrid and the C-Max hybrid. You may recall that Ford has owned up to the fact that ALL of their hybrids testing for fuel economy was faulty. Perhaps this is also true for the Ex 2.0L.
Some have implied that I am "whining" or "upset" and I can assure you that is not the case. I am trying to hold Ford accountable. For the record, we do like our Ex with the exception of the fuel economy (and its size when I wax it, like I did yesterday). I tell people that Ex is a good choice, just don't waste your money on the 2.0L.
I have even been accused of faulty math for my calculations of overall savings of the fuel economy. In reality, I was being more pessimistic in my assumption of future fuel costs. We have paid as much as $4.25/gal for gas in the past and my assumption is that by 2019 we could see that price or even higher. My crystal ball is not clear enough to tell.
Another poster has even suggested that any discount off the MSRP is compensation for the lost savings in fuel economy. REALLY! Does anyone actually pay MSRP for a vehicle as common as the Ex? If they do I feel sorry for them.
Now I expect that some will continue to slam me on this is some way shape or form. As far as I am concerned, we are done.