 2014 Ford Fusion Energi. Click image to enlarge |
Review by Paul Williams, photos by Paul Williams and courtesy Ford Motor Company
The 2014 Ford Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid sedan was available for testing at Ford’s 2014 Preview Event held recently in Dearborn, Michigan. Testing was limited, however, as the challenge was to maximize fuel efficiency by driving in convoy on a closed course, and many journalists in attendance were keen to win a prize doing so.
This apparently meant driving at a snail’s pace in order to run in Electric Vehicle (EV) mode continuously, conserving gasoline in the process.
You can do this of course, although Ford engineers pointed out that their experience with the Fusion Energi saw the best fuel economy at around 70 km/h. Apparently there was no advantage gained by driving at such slow speeds.
All that said, Autos.ca colleague Lesley Wimbush and I weren’t interested in winning the go-slow prize anyway, choosing to break from the pack and drive at normal speeds to get more realistic driving impressions of the new car.
The 2014 Ford Fusion Energi is, like all the new Fusions, a fine looking automobile. Sleek and purposeful in execution, the car gives the impression of being more expensive than it is. Fusions arrive in several flavours starting with the $22,499 Fusion S, which is powered by a 170 horsepower, 2.5L, four-cylinder normally aspirated engine. Two EcoBoost direct-injected engines are also available (178-hp 1.6L and 240-hp 2.0L), along with Hybrid and Energi (plug-in hybrid) versions.
  2014 Ford Fusion Energi. Click image to enlarge |
The Fusion Energi is a front-wheel drive vehicle (all-wheel drive can be specified with the 2.0L EcoBoost versions) that uses an electronic continuously variable transmission (e-CVT) as opposed to the six-speed automatic with which the gasoline models are equipped.
The 2.0L Atkinson Cycle four-cylinder engine makes 141 hp, but in combination with the electric motor, its total system horsepower rises to 188. In operation the Fusion Energi is blissfully quiet in whatever mode you choose.
Energi is Ford’s proprietary term for ‘Plug-in Hybrid’ which means that after charging this Fusion model via normal household current or a faster 220-volt station, you can drive in EV mode for something over 30 kilometres. If you have access to suitably located charging stations, and depending on your urban driving routine, you could conceivably charge the Lithium-Ion battery in this car as required and run on electricity indefinitely.
Chances are that won’t be the case, though. Once the battery is depleted, the Fusion Energi conveniently operates as a conventional hybrid vehicle and you continue driving in that mode until you recharge the battery.
It’s worth noting that starting with a fully charged battery and a full tank of gasoline, the Fusion Energi can achieve a range of up to 992 kilometres according to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). According to Ford, the EPA anticipates that the Fusion Energi’s fuel consumption could help save customers an estimated $6,850 (US) in fuel costs compared with an average new car over the course of five years.
It is a somewhat pricey vehicle, though, so you will spend to save – if that’s your primary reason for a Fusion Energi purchase.
In Canada, we have a choice of two Fusion Energi models. The $38,800 Energi SE arrives with an illuminated charge port, MyFord Mobile (more on that later), SYNC connectivity, a six-speaker audio system and leather-trimmed seats with driver’s seat memory and heated front seats.
The $41,399 Energi Titanium substitutes a 12-speaker Sony audio system and adds a remote start system, push-button start, sport seats, rear-view camera, aluminum interior trim, rear spoiler, chrome exterior garnish and a reverse sensing system. A sunroof, intelligent cruise control and automatic park assist are among the options.
  2014 Ford Fusion Energi. Click image to enlarge |
Granted, these prices are a big step up from the base S but some provinces do offer a rebate to offset the cost and encourage the proliferation of plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles. In Ontario, for instance, $4,300 is available.
Our experience at the event was that the Fusion Energi is smooth, quiet and responsive. It drives very much like a conventional sedan. It’s no sports car but the suspension was firm enough to prevent lean in the corners, yet compliant enough to give a comfortable ride.
The interior is spacious and likewise comfortable with good outward visibility all around. Power was entirely sufficient in my view, and braking was sure and progressive. We didn’t have an opportunity to drive the vehicle for any length of time in hybrid mode, but it’s worth pointing out that you can switch from hybrid to EV via a control on the dashboard (assuming you have sufficient power in the battery to do so).
 2014 Ford Fusion Energi. Click image to enlarge |
The gauge cluster is modern and easy to read, but the SYNC controls do take some getting used to. Rumour has it that as SYNC continues to evolve Ford will add some redundant knobs and switches in future generations for simple tasks like tuning the radio. As with hybrid vehicles from many manufacturers, leafy vine graphics grow in the instrument cluster to reward your efficient driving style, and are a nice nod to your environmental consciousness. But the more pragmatic might appreciate being able to switch them to dollar signs as a motivator.
MyFord Mobile by the way, is a smartphone application that allows users to monitor charging, receive alerts, find charge stations, plan trips and, according to Ford, “do more from their smartphones or computers for an effortless transition to an electrified vehicle lifestyle.”
Other Fusion Energi features include Eco Cruise, which saves vehicle energy by relaxing acceleration compared to standard cruise control; EV Mode, which as well as allowing the driver to switch between EV and hybrid modes, also makes available an EV Later mode that conserves battery power for later use. Regenerative braking captures and reuses up to 95 percent of kinetic energy of the vehicle when stopping; and the Lithium-Ion battery comes with an eight-year/160,000 km warranty.
While the Fusion Energi is a perfectly usable, five-passenger sedan, it does have one obvious shortcoming: its compromised trunk capacity. The issue is the Lithium-Ion battery, which, while compact, still encroaches on trunk space.
However, this is not peculiar to the Fusion Energi and is nothing new for hybrid sedans in general, which all run with reduced-capacity trunks. In contrast, liftback hybrid vehicles like the Prius, Honda Insight and Chevrolet Volt have packaged the battery in such a way as to permit rear seats to fold flat, opening up a large and useful cargo area. This suggests that liftbacks may be the best configuration for plug-ins and EVs, at least as far as cargo capacity is concerned, although they’re not a favourite with consumers.
The big question, though, is why go plug-in hybrid at all? If you’re looking at excellent fuel economy, some of the new direct-injected engines offer very strong numbers, while a conventional hybrid will generally return superior fuel economy, so these would be likely alternatives.
But as far as fuel economy (and arguably broader issues of sustainability) is concerned, mainstream hybrid vehicles have hit something of a wall when it comes to the balance between driving dynamics and fuel consumption. That is, in order to squeeze maximum energy from the hybrid system, power is typically compromised and fuel consumption is often not as good as expected.
   2014 Ford Fusion Energi. Click image to enlarge |
Going all electric (Nissan Leaf, Ford Focus Electric, etc.) gives surprising acceleration, uses no gasoline but provides limited range. The plug-in hybrid, therefore, emerges as a clever combination of technologies, enabling you to drive useful distances in EV mode, but switching to hybrid for extended range once the battery is depleted.
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If used as designed, a plug-in hybrid like the Fusion Energi really does have the potential to dramatically reduce energy costs for the consumer. The bonus is that you’ll get this in a classy looking car that offers superb comfort and no compromises other than the smaller trunk.
Will its higher price be compensated for over time? You’ll have to crunch your own numbers to determine that.
The 2014 Ford Fusion Energi is on sale now.
Pricing: 2014 Ford Fusion Energi
Fusion Energi SE: $38,800
Fusion Energi Titanium: $41,399
A/C Tax: $100
Destination: $1,550
Competitors:
Buick Regal e-Assist
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
Kia Optima Hybrid
Toyota Camry Hybrid
Volkswagen Passat Diesel
