Refueling becomes a distant memory with the carefree Fusion Hybrid
CASEY WILLIAMS | Auto Reviewer
crwauto@aol.com
The Ford Fusion Energi, a plug-in hybrid, posts fuel economy near 100-MPGe, but it’s all so complicated, what with the cord and stuff. We don’t need all that complication. Most people don’t want it. But those same folks will probably cuddle up to the ever-so-simplified 2014 Ford Fusion Hybrid.
When you learn how it works, you may not think the Fusion Hybrid is so simplified, but at least it does all it does without looking for an outlet. Under the fast hood is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine working in parallel with Lithium-Ion batteries, electric motor, start/stop technology, and regenerative disc brakes to deliver 47/47-MPG city/hwy. All of that nets 188 horses. It takes a few miles to get used to the grabby brakes and silence at stoplights, but it soon feels as familiar as Garland and rainbows.
Unlike some hybrid science projects from other automakers, the Fusion is attractive. As with other Fusions, it hits the wind with an Aston Martin-inspired chrome smile and flows back with a taut multi-faceted hood, tight body sculpting and swept roofline. It is sporty and elegant, but allows for a roomy interior and trunk. Without finding the Hybrid logos, you’d have no idea how much technology hides beneath.
When I last drove the Fusion Energi, the trunk was disappointing. To achieve the Energi’s impressive performance, it has a ginormous battery pack that hogs much of the trunk and prevents items from passing through to the rear seats. There’s still a pretty big battery pack in the Hybrid, but you can fold down the rear seats, toss in a bicycle or stroller, and hit the highway. What you give up in fuel economy you gain in practicality.
The rest of the interior is pretty and practical. Our test car came with heated leather seats, automatic climate control, leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel, USB input and Bluetooth calling/audio streaming. Techies will play with the instrument screens that display recent fuel usage, infotainment functions, or a cool branch that “grows” and “withers” leaves depending on how environmentally-friendly you drive. Woodgrain and silver finishes on the dash and doors, and intricate mesh stereo speakers, echo Audi.
There’s much more tech to impress. MyFord Touch infotainment places a touchpad in the console for climate and audio controls. Above, drivers use a touchscreen to access audio, navigation, phone, and climate controls. Or, just command the starship by voice. Forward collision alert, blind spot warning, lane keeping system, reverse sensing, rearview camera and adaptive cruise control are part of the considerable safety suite. Not good at parallel parking? No problem; Active Park Assist kicks it in for you.
Beyond all of the wizardry, the Fusion Hybrid is a nice car to drive once you get over the hybrid quirks. Its chassis is a good balance of competent handling and soaking up rough American city streets. On the highway, it wafts along unbothered. Cornering on the low-rolling-resistance tires will not have you wishing for backroads. There’s not enough power to snap your neck either, but nobody buying this sleekster will be displeased.
I like the Fusion Energi and its nearly 100-MPG, but if you want to simplify your life, the regular Hybrid has its virtues.
Perhaps most of all is a base price $7,500 lower than the Energi. Stickers start at $27,280, but came to $35,160 as tested.
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition May 9, 2014.