This week, I drove 190 miles twice, Youngstown, OH to Columbus, OH and back.
I wanted to compare Android Auto/Google Maps and the built-in navigation, so I used Google Maps on the way there and the car’s navigation on the way back.
Car: 2021 Premium Extended Range AWD
I started with a full charge at home and used the departure time feature to warm up the battery and cabin. It was about 40°F when we left. I used BlueCruise for most of the trip.
The car had enough charge to make it to Columbus, but since we had a doctor’s appointment before heading to the hotel, I decided to stop at an Electrify America charger at Mansfield Walmart.
Google Maps made it easy to find a charger. I just searched for chargers, and it automatically suggested the EA station since it made the most sense.
We arrived at the charger with 50% battery, meaning we could’ve made it the whole way without stopping.
The car charged at 86kW. I only needed an extra 50 miles of range. Plug & Charge worked instantly. By the time we went to the restroom and came back, it was done. Cost about $12.
We hit some rain on the final stretch, which lowered the range a bit, but the extra charge made sure it wasn’t an issue.
Our hotel (Holiday Inn Express) had a ChargePoint Level 2 charger. I called ahead to confirm it was working because my first choice had one, but PlugShare said it was down. The charger worked great and only cost $1 per hour. For three days, I spent $14 on hotel charging. The car charged at 5.8kW, slowing down near full.
On the morning of departure, I plugged it in again since it was still at 90%. Used the Departure Time feature to warm up the battery and cabin. We left the hotel at 92% charge. It was 50°F when we left, 46°F when we arrived in Youngstown.
The car made it back on that single charge, with about 30 miles of range left.
Big Takeaways:
BlueCruise is incredible. It made a huge difference in reducing driver fatigue. I used it for about 95% of the highway miles, only taking over in construction zones and heavy Columbus traffic. I can’t see myself road-tripping without hands-free driving again.
Google Maps on Android Auto is nice because it shows cops and stalled cars, and lane assist helps with exits.
BUT… Google Maps doesn’t adjust for climate control and highway speeds.
When I switched to the built-in navigation, it dropped my estimated range by 30 miles because Ford accounts for weather and highway efficiency better. It was spot on, while Google’s estimate kept dropping as I drove. For long trips where I need accuracy, I’ll stick with the car’s navigation.
I kept the cabin at 67°F because comfort matters more to me than squeezing out extra miles.
Final Thoughts:
This car is awesome. I do wish the ride was a little softer on long highway drives, but BlueCruise and the accurate range predictions make it an excellent road trip car.
I thought charging would be a bigger hassle, but it really wasn’t. On a much longer trip, maybe it would be, but it just wasn’t a problem here.
Level 2 charging at hotels makes a big difference. I’ll always pick hotels with chargers from now on.