Ford Fusion Energi Sedan (2014)

Whats New For 2014

New Cars Reviews | The 2014 Ford Fusion Energi is currently obtainable by having heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats and inflatable ( airbag ) rear seatbelts.

Introduction

If theres a holy grail for hybrid cars, it might seemingly function as ability to actually mix the top-notch fuel economy numbers everybody expects issued from a hybrid with enticing styling and relatively normal driving dynamics. The 2014 ford fusion energi only would possibly have found the grail.

This most efficient membership owner the fusion midsize sedan line uses plug-in hybrid technology that allows it to actually run solely underneath electrical power for concerning 20 miles before changing over to actually normal hybrid operation. This allows it to actually achieve an epa combined rating of 100 mpge ( miles per gallon equivalent ), that helps it be one in every of the foremost fuel-efficient midsize sedans all told the land. For comparison, the toyota prius plug-in rates 95 mpge and also the chevrolet volt earns 98 mpge. Along at the same time, the fusion energi shares the snazzy styling, roomy cabin, relatively spirited performance and quiet and refined ride quality of the remainder of the ford fusion family. Its conjointly obtainable in the same high-tech features, together with adaptive cruise management, automated parking assist and, for higher or worse, the most recent generation of myford bit.

You ought to be aware, in spite of this, that the e within the plug-in ford fusion energis impressive mpge estimate refers in the periods whenever the car is running in full-electric mode. When that, it returns 43 mpg combined fuel economy, or slightly below the regular fusion hybrid ( 47 mpg ). Even then, the energi sounds like a hero to actually us till you think about the value. This latest perk in powertrain technology doesnt return cheap, like the entry-level 2014 ford fusion energi se luxury can cost you quite a number of thousand greenbacks a little over a comparably equipped 2014 fusion hybrid se. The price proposition regarding the energi appearance even worse currently that ford has added a good less expensive fusion hybrid s model for 2014.

 

Given the large value distinction, the 2014 ford fusion energi is an effort to recommend during the highly regarded fusion hybrid. That aforementioned, early adopters who dont mind spending the additional inexperienced to remain additional inexperienced can realize the energi compares favorably to actually its few rivals during this new plug-in hybrid car segment. The chevrolet volt offers concerning double the electric-only vary, other then it seats no more than four, and people in back can realize cramped quarters compared with others on your ford. You may conjointly think about the toyota prius plug-in hybrid, because it prices less and offers a comfortable and spacious cabin. Other then its shorter electric-only vary ( 15 miles ) and inferior interior quality could flip off those willing to pay out for one thing with additional style and substance. In fact, youll conjointly need to take a look along at the 2014 honda accord plug-in hybrid given its similar value, efficiency ratings and interior area.

Neither the plug-in fusion nor the accord makes quite the social statement like the prius or volt, except for shoppers who are wanting an efficient plug-in hybrid car that appears and drives like a standard midsize sedan for most different respects, the 2014 ford fusion energi is valued at a look.

Body Designs, Trim Levels, And Options

The 2014 ford fusion energi may be a five-passenger extended-range ( plug-in ) hybrid sedan that goes in 2 trim levels : se luxury and titanium.

The se luxury comes loaded with 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, foglights, heated auto-dimming mirrors, keypad entry, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, leather upholstery, power front seats ( eight-way driver with lumbar and four-way passenger ), heated front seats, driver memory settings, dual-zone automatic climate management, rear air ducts, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, cruise management, a trip pc as well as a 110-volt household-style power outlet. Electronic features embrace the sync voice-activated audio and cell phone interface ; the myford bit electronics interface ( with 8-inch central lcd touchscreen and 2 4-inch configurable gauge cluster displays ) ; as well as a six-speaker sound system by having cd player, satellite radio, an auxiliary audio jack and an ipod/usb interface.

Choices inside the se luxury embrace keyless entry/ignition, remote begin with pre-heating/-cooling on your interior, a heated steering wheel, inflatable ( airbag ) rear seatbelts, the driver assist package ( automatic high-beam management, rain-sensing wipers, a blind-spot warning system, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist ), rear parking sensors, a rearview camera, remote ignition as well as a sunroof. Conjointly optional absolutely really undoubtedly are a navigation system, an automated parallel-parking system ( with front parking sensors ) and adaptive cruise management with collision warning and brake support.

The titanium adds listed here in the se luxurys commonplace features : keyless entry/ignition, remote begin with pre-heating/-cooling on your interior, a rear spoiler, rear parking sensors, a rearview camera, front sport seats and an upgraded audio system with 12 speakers and hd radio. The se luxurys different optional features are conjointly optional here.

Exclusive choices for your own titanium embody a premium leather package and heated and ventilated front seats.

Powertrains And Performance

The 2014 ford fusion energi uses a 2. 0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electrical motor thats fed by a lithium-ion battery pack. The combined hybrid output totals 195 horsepower thats sent out to the front wheels with a specialized continuously variable transmission ( cvt ). The battery pack is significantly larger compared to the one within the customary fusion hybrid, that allows the energi as being propelled up out to 85 mph or for up out to 21 miles purely on electrical power. But, if you do in fact are likely to drive aggressively, youll realize that the gas engine can fireplace up at a lot of lower speeds whenever the car is in its default ev auto mode.

In edmunds testing, we measured consistent 0-60 times at just below 8 seconds, or a few second quicker compared to a chevrolet volt. Incidentally, we too place the fusion energi into its ev currently mode ( that locks in all-electric operation ) and recorded an electric-only 0-60 run on a painfully slow 15 seconds, that's 6 seconds behind a volt in ev mode. Obviously, the fords ev currently mode isn't intended for maximum acceleration, however rather for maximum efficiency and is best employed in city driving conditions.

In line with the epa, the fusion energi achieves a combined mpge of 100 miles, however as we noted, thats when it's running via electrical power just. Once that electrical vary is made up, it operates just like the customary fusion hybrid and earns epa estimates of 44 mpg city/41 mpg highway and 43 mpg in combined driving. Assume of them available this manner : if you do in fact drove concerning 60 miles on a daily basis and recharged the energi at home, you'd use just a few gallon of gas on a daily basis.

Ford says the battery can possibly be absolutely charged in 7 hours utilizing a 120-volt power supply or 2. 5 hours employing a 240-volt supply. Keep on your mind which you can see the price of plugging in at night on your private electricity bill. The epa estimates the fusion energis energy consumption rate at 34 kwh per 100 miles ( the lower the kwh variety, the higher ), that's on par when using the volts, however alittle beyond either the plug-in prius or accord.

 

Safety

The 2014 ford fusion energi comes customary with antilock disc brakes, traction and stability management, front seat facet airbags, front knee airbags and facet curtain airbags. The ford sync system includes an emergency crash notification feature that automatically dials 911 when paired utilizing a compatible cell phone. Too customary is fords mykey, which could be taken to line bound parameters for teen drivers.

Optional equipment includes blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, driver-drowsiness detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist ( it automatically helps the driver keep the car in its lane ) and collision warning with brake support.

In edmunds testing, the fusion energi came to some stop from 60 mph utilizing a segment-average 128 feet. The govt gave the fusion energi 5 out of every 5 stars for overall crash protection, beside 5 stars for frontal protection and 4 stars for facet protection. The insurance institute for highway safety gave the non-hybrid however otherwise similar fusion the very best potential rating of fine in its frontal-offset, facet and roof-strength crash tests.

 

Interior Style And Special Features

Within the fusion energis cabin, high-quality materials show fords continuing dedication out to improving the passenger environment. The dashboard and center stack are uncluttered and tastefully designed, though this look will too return across as alittle austere and uninviting, particularly with an all-black interior.

When using the highly adjustable power driver seat and tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, barely concerning everybody really should be able realize a'>to get yourself a comfortable driving position. The passenger seat is simply as supportive, whereas the split-folding rear seats are well contoured and have now masses of legroom. You would possibly assume that the fusions swoopy styling would cut down on rear headroom, nonetheless it's comparable out to its competition, with enough clearance for normal-size adults. Visibility out to the front is relatively unhindered, thanks out to the fusions slender front roof pillars.

 

The myford bit system interface consists associated with a main show and supporting gauge cluster displays beside bit controls, steering wheel buttons and of course the sync voice-control system. Its a wise plan in theory, and this provides a few nice customization potentialities. Unfortunately, theres a learning curve concerned for your own user, and even with fords recent updates, weve found that the machine needs periodic reboots out to maintain functionality. Too, its distracting out to use by the move, as a result of the touchscreens buttons are small and onerous out to locate, and of course the screen is typically slow out to respond out to bit.

The illuminated fender-mounted charge port pulses and adds quadrants of lightweight when using the state of battery charging. The myford mobile smartphone app or perhaps a pc enables variety of special, remote features : scheduling off-peak home charging on a time of your respective selecting ( may additionally be selected in-car ), pre-heating or -cooling the interior as to the car, monitoring and displaying the focus energis state of charge, current driving vary and locating charge stations and planning routes out to them.

One notable downside out to the fusion energi is its small trunk. Due out to the larger battery pack, luggage capability is simply 8. 2 cubic feet, or 4 lower than the regular hybrid and then half that as to the regular fusion.

 

Driving Impressions

The 2014 ford fusion energi drives a lot of such as the similar fusion hybrid. Acceleration is adequate for daily use around city, and theres typically enough power for passing inside the highway, too, particularly if you arrange ahead. We too like how the car is extremely quiet at highway speeds. As with most hybrid cars, acclimating in the regenerative braking system ( that's applied to recharge the battery pack ) needs alittle time, and inching either forward or backward inside parking stall takes a delicate bit inside the brake pedal, however the fusion energi will a higher job in this than several others. Serving to in that learning curve is fords dashboard braking coach that tells you the way a lot of energy youve captured throughout the past stop.

Compared when using the hybrid, the energi offers the driver a lot of management as to the cars all-electric drive. When using the ev mode button, the driver is ready to switch the cars operation among 3 modes : ev currently all-electric ( up to actually 85 mph or for up to actually 21 miles ), ev auto for normal hybrid power mix ( such as the fusion hybrid ) or an ev later mode that favors the gas engine and conserves battery power for later use. 

Thanks to actually its subtle suspension style, the energi possesses impressive handling and ride dynamics. Driven around turns, the 2014 ford fusion energi is confident and composed, and its steering is remarkably communicative.