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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2014 Ford Fusion Energi

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Overview

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2014 Ford Fusion Energi Review

By KBB.com Editors

KBB Expert Rating: 7.9

Fresh from its debut last year, the 2014 Ford Fusion continues to redefine the role of the family sedan, including a plug-in hybrid electric model dubbed the Fusion Energi. Unlike the hybrid car, the Energi can run at high speeds up to 22 miles solely on electric power, after which the gasoline engine kicks on to power the vehicle. Those interested in more traditional methods of propulsion will be quite satisfied with Ford's gasoline only offerings, including two small displacement turbo engines with big power and bigger fuel economy figures. All 2014 Fusion models offer stunning styling, a host of sophisticated electronic audio and communication options, and a sporty demeanor more commonly associated with Audi or VW than the big blue oval.

You'll Like This Car If...

If you're looking for a sporty sedan, a luxurious touring car, a fuel-efficient family car or just something to impress the neighbors, you'll find it all in the 2014 Ford Fusion.

You May Not Like This Car If...

While Ford is correct that its 4-cylinder EcoBoost engines are as powerful as some V6s, many customers may still prefer the larger engine's low-end torque and smooth operation. Those looking for a sporty coupe model are also out of luck, as are diesel engine fans.

KBB Expert Ratings

Overall Rating

7.9
Driving Dynamics

7.9
Comfort & Convenience

7.5
Design: Interior & Exterior

9.1
Value

7.1
Safety

N/A

How It Ranks

#2

out of 12

MPG

#10

out of 10

Horsepower

View all rankings

Consumer Rating

9.0 out of 10

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consumer ratings

2014 Ford Fusion Energi Low/wide front photo

What's New for 2014

For 2014, the Ford Fusion receives some new color choice inside and out, as well as optional inflatable seatbelts for outboard rear passengers, a heated steering wheel and ventilated front seats. A new 1.5-liter turbocharged engine debuts, while the Fusion Hybrid gains a new, lower price trim level, the S.

Driving the Fusion Energi

2014 Ford Fusion Energi Front angle view photo

Driving Impressions If there is one area in which the 2014 Ford Fusion shines, it's the car's athletic driving character. The base 2.5-liter 4-cylinder isn't going to win you any drag races,...

but even at that level, the Fusion's excellent suspension setup gives it small-car handling in a big package. Move up to the 1.5-liter and 1.6-liter turbo engines and your inner enthusiast will be most pleased, especially considering you can still get a manual transmission on the SE model. But, it's the 2.0-liter turbo with its 240 horsepower that will make the most ardent V6 fan capitulate to this engine's superiority. The Fusion Hybrid system's transition between the gasoline engine and electric motor is nearly seamless, and the car can travel up to 62 mph on electric power alone. The Energi plug-in hybrid's electric-only top speed is 85 mph, and the car is rated to travel up to 21 miles on electricity alone and up to 620 miles total.

Favorite Features

HYBRID VERSION
Perhaps the best thing about the hybrid version of the Fusion is that you may not know it is one until you realize how little fuel you're using. The Fusion Hybrid yields an EPA-estimated 47 mpg combined, and is a smooth operator while earning that lofty figure.

1.6-LITER TURBOCHARGED ENGINE
As with its use in the 2014 Ford Escape, this small-yet-mighty powerplant feels like the Goldilocks of the Fusion's gasoline engine choices. Connected to either the easy-to-use 6-speed manual transmission or the 6-speed automatic with auto start/stop, this engine returns up to 37 mpg.

2014 Ford Fusion Energi Details

2014 Ford Fusion Energi Dashboard, center console, gear shifter view photo

Interior

The 2014 Ford Fusion's cabin is attractive for sure, but it doesn't feel as open or wide as some of its competitors. Four adults can sit comfortably in the Fusion, or three kids can squeeze in the back seat. At 16 cubic feet, the Fusion's trunk is bigger than the Honda Accord's, but smaller than the Hyundai Sonata's. In hybrid models, some space is eaten up by under-floor batteries. Still, even hybrid models allow the rear seats to fold for added cargo room. The cloth seats and foam inserts in Fusion Hybrid and Energi models are made from recyclable or renewable materials.

Exterior

We know the 2014 Ford Fusion is an affordable family sedan, but with its Aston Martin-like grille, it looks more like an expensive European luxury car. Ford adds its own subtle styling cues in the form of numerous original wheel designs, interesting colors and aggressive headlights. The clever EasyFuel capless gas filler system means you'll never again have to wrestle to open a fuel cap or wait for it to "click" into place. On Energi versions a lighted ring surrounds the charging port. The ring lights up as the car charges, with a fully lit circle indicating a full charge.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

The 2014 Fusion is offered in eight trims: The gasoline and hybrid models are S, SE and Titanium, while the Energi is limited to SE and Titanium. Base S models include manual climate control, a tilt/telescoping steering wheel, a 4-speaker AM/FM/CD player with auxiliary input, 16-inch wheels, and Ford's SYNC wireless communication system with voice control. SE models add 10-way power driver's seat, rear air vents, a 6-speaker audio system, and 17-inch wheels. Moving up to the Titanium model nets the powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, 12-speaker Sony premium audio system with HD and satellite radio, dual-zone auto climate control, a rearview camera, leather seating, and 18-inch wheels.

Optional Equipment

In addition to more powerful turbocharged engines, features available on the 2014 Ford Fusion emphasize technology for making the car safer and commutes more comfortable. Among the offerings are a reverse-sensing system, Active Park Assist to help with parallel parking, adaptive cruise control, a navigation system, and a blind-spot monitoring system. One particularly interesting and potentially life-saving feature is the Lane Keeping System. Using a windshield-mounted camera, the car keeps a digital eye on road markings to detect if the car drifts into another lane. If that happens, the system alerts the driver by sounding a warning, vibrating the steering wheel and, ultimately, applying steering torque to get the car back into the lane.

Under the Hood

The base engine in the 2014 Ford Fusion is a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder. Better engine options are the 1.5-liter and 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder EcoBoost or the 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder, all of which can run on regular unleaded gasoline. Front-wheel drive is standard, with all-wheel drive limited to the 2.0-liter engine. The Fusion Hybrid uses a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine and electric motor to achieve 47 mpg and a total output of 188 horsepower. The plug-in Energi uses the same engine and motor setup but offers a larger lithium-ion battery pack that can be recharged via an AC outlet. The Energi is estimated to travel up to 21 miles in EV mode, and up to 620 miles total before having to recharge the battery or fill up the gasoline tank. Recharge time for the battery is projected at 7 hours on a standard 120-volt outlet, or 2.5 hours on a 240-volt outlet.

2.5-liter inline-4
175 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
175 lb-ft of torque @ 4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 22/34 mpg

1.5-liter turbocharged inline-4
178 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
177 lb-ft of torque @ 1,500-4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: NA

1.6-liter turbocharged inline-4
178 horsepower @ 5,700 rpm
184 lb-ft of torque @ 2,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 25/37 mpg (manual), 23/36 mpg (automatic), 24/37 (automatic with engine start/stop)

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4
240 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm
270 lb-ft of torque @ 3,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 22/33 mpg (front-wheel drive), 22/31 mpg (all-wheel drive)

2.0-liter inline-4 and permanent magnet AC synchronous motor (hybrid)
188 horsepower (total)
129 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm (gasoline engine only)
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 47/47 mpg

2.0-liter inline-4 and permanent magnet AC synchronous motor (plug-in hybrid)
195 horsepower (total, with full battery charge)
129 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm (gasoline engine only)
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 108/92 mpg equivalent

Pricing Notes

A base 2014 Ford Fusion S has a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) starting just under $23,000. On the other end of the spectrum, a loaded Titanium model with all-wheel drive can reach over $40,000. Regular Hybrid models start just under $27,000, while the Energi plug-in hybrid starts just under $40,000. At its starting price, the Fusion is in line with segment leader Toyota Camry and the Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, and Chevy Malibu. The VW Passat, Hyundai Sonata, and AWD Subaru Legacy undercut the Fusion's starting price. Be sure to check the Fair Purchase Price before buying to see what others in your area are actually paying for the 2014 Fusion. Looking ahead, we predict the Fusion's resale value to be near the top of this class, close to the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord.

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2014 Ford Fusion Energi Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

9.0

Out of 10

Based on 4 Ratings for the 2013 - 2014 models.

Review this car

Value

8.0/10

Quality

9.2/10
Reliability

10.0/10

Performance

9.0/10
Comfort

9.2/10

Styling

9.2/10

Needs a Windows Phone app

By FusionEnergiTitaniumOwner (CA) on Sunday, July 07, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 150

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 8/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "Great fuel economy"

Cons: "No Windows Phone compatibility"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 8

"SYNC represents that it is "powered by Microsoft" but if you have a Windows Phone you may not be able to take advantage of much of the functionality that iPhone and android users enjoy. For example, it seems there is no way to send addresses to your car via smartphone or computer. While the vehicle overall is quite well designed (though a bit cramped for larger drivers) this is a big disappointment, particularly after all of the publicity about being able to send addresses to your vehicle from your pc."

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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Needs a Windows Phone app

By FusionEnergiTitaniumOwner (CA) on Sunday, July 07, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 150

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 8/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "Great fuel economy"

Cons: "No Windows Phone compatibility"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 8

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

Needs a Windows Phone app

By FusionEnergiTitaniumOwner (CA) on Sunday, July 07, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 150

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 8/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "Great fuel economy"

Cons: "No Windows Phone compatibility"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 8

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Very surprised!

By mpge (WA) on Friday, April 26, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 2,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 8/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "MPGE! Comfort, sound system (Titanium), visibility"

Cons: "Cost"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I was skeptical of the 100 Mpge rating seen on the sticker, but the car seemed to fit our lifestyle to a tee. In the manual it says not to bother tracking mileage until you reach about 2000 miles. Who would buy a plug-in hybrid and wait that long? So far, we are realizing an overall average of 60.15 mpge! Before you draw any conclusions I will detail our 2000 miles. The first 3 fill-ups were after significant (200-300 mile) road trips at 60-75 mph. 1st there was the road trip home after the purchase - 45.3 mpge. The road trip to see friends - 38 mpge. The road trip to see family (about 30% commute miles on this fill-up) - 53.17 mpge. This last tank of fuel has been all commute miles and running around town. I would estimate that we have about 5% hwy driving on this tank. We are getting 98.71 mpge! To put that in perspective; We have about 1/3 tank of gas remaining (14 gallon tank) and we have driven 899 miles on 2/3 of a tank of gas, or approximately 9 gallons. AMAZING! We elected to hold out for the Titanium trim and I have no regrets about that at all. I would personally beware of any salesman trying to sell a fully loaded SE trim instead of the Titanium. There is a big difference that you have to experience for yourself. With that said, the car is very comfortable and easy to drive. The safety features are easy to get used to; Adaptive Cruise, Lane Keeping, etc. Looks-Well, lets just say that I don't believe there is a better looking plug-in hybrid out there. Sorry Prius guys, but your little elongated VW Bug looks like a cookie cutter compared to the style of the Fusion. Charging is simple and doesn't take as long as mentioned by Ford. With the supplied 120v charger, you can go from 0 to full charge in about 5 hrs. It would be nice to have 2 chargers, but they're too expensive for me. I do not have time to write anymore, but if you are on the fence about one of these cars it is worth it to consider it in the Titanium trim."

39 people out of 39 found this review helpful

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