2014 Ford Fusion Energi Review

The 2014 Ford Fusion Energi is now available with a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats and inflatable (airbag) rear seatbelts.

Although the 2014 Ford Fusion Energi is pricey compared with the already very fuel-efficient Fusion Hybrid, it's still a great choice if you're looking for a hybrid car with plug-in capability.

If there's a holy grail for hybrid cars, it would likely be the ability to combine the top-notch fuel economy numbers everybody expects from a hybrid with attractive styling and relatively normal driving dynamics. The 2014 Ford Fusion Energi just might have found the grail.

This most efficient member of the Fusion midsize sedan line uses plug-in hybrid technology that allows it to run solely under electric power for about 19 miles before changing over to normal hybrid operation. This engineering attribute allows it to achieve an EPA combined rating of 88 MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent). For comparison, the Toyota Prius Plug-In rates 95 MPGe and the Chevrolet Volt earns 98 MPGe. Note, however, that the "e" estimate relates to when the Energi is running in full electric mode. After that, it gets about 38 mpg in combined city/highway driving.

At the same time, the Fusion Energi shares the snazzy styling, roomy cabin, relatively spirited performance and quiet and refined ride quality of the rest of the Ford Fusion family. It's also available with the same high-tech features, including adaptive cruise control, automated parking assist and, for better or worse, the latest generation of MyFord Touch.

The Energi sounds like a winner to us until you consider the cost. This latest perk in powertrain technology doesn't come cheap, as the entry-level 2014 Ford Fusion Energi SE Luxury will cost you quite a few thousand dollars more than a comparably equipped 2014 Fusion Hybrid SE. The value proposition for the Energi looks even worse now that Ford has added an even less expensive Fusion Hybrid S model for 2014.

Given the big price difference, the 2014 Ford Fusion Energi is hard to recommend over the highly regarded Fusion Hybrid. That said, early adopters who don't mind spending the extra green to be extra green will find the Energi compares favorably to its few rivals in this new plug-in hybrid car segment. The Chevrolet Volt offers about double the electric-only range, but it seats only four, and those in back will find cramped quarters compared with those of the Ford. You could also consider the Toyota Prius Plug-In hybrid, as it costs less and offers a comfortable and spacious cabin. But its shorter electric-only range (15 miles) and inferior interior quality may turn off those willing to pay for something with more style and substance. Of course, you may want to take a look at the 2014 Honda Accord Plug-In hybrid, which offers even higher fuel economy numbers but is considerably more expensive than the Ford.

Neither the plug-in Fusion nor the Accord makes quite the social statement as the Prius or Volt, which may suit some folks just fine. For those who want an efficient plug-in hybrid car that looks and drives much like a normal midsize sedan, the 2014 Ford Fusion Energi is worth a look.

The 2014 Ford Fusion Energi has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor that's fed by a lithium-ion battery pack. The combined hybrid output totals 195 horsepower that's sent to the front wheels through a specialized continuously variable transmission (CVT). The battery pack is considerably larger than the one in the standard Fusion Hybrid, which allows the Energi to be propelled up to 85 mph or for up to 19 miles purely on electric power. However, if you tend to drive aggressively, you'll find that the gas engine will fire up at much lower speeds when the car is in its default EV Auto mode.

In Edmunds testing, we measured consistent 0-60 times at just under 8 seconds, or about a second quicker than a Chevrolet Volt. Incidentally, we also put the Fusion Energi into its EV Now mode (which locks in all-electric operation) and recorded an electric-only 0-60 run at a painfully slow 15 seconds, which is 6 seconds behind a Volt in EV mode. Obviously, the Ford's EV Now mode is not intended for maximum acceleration, but rather for maximum efficiency and is best used in city driving conditions.

According to the EPA, the Fusion Energi achieves a combined MPGe of 88 miles, but as stated earlier that's when it is only running via electric power. Once that electric range is used up, it operates like the standard Fusion Hybrid and earns an EPA combined estimate of 38 mpg city. Think of it this way. If you drove around 57 miles a day and recharged the Energi at night, you would only use about a gallon of gas a day.

Ford says the battery can be fully charged in 7 hours with a 120-volt power source or 2.5 hours using a 240-volt source. We validated both of those claims, but keep in mind that you will see the cost of plugging in at night on your electricity bill.

The 2014 Ford Fusion Energi comes standard with antilock disc brakes, traction and stability control, front seat side airbags, front knee airbags and side curtain airbags. The Ford Sync system includes an emergency crash notification feature that automatically dials 911 when paired with a compatible cell phone. Also standard is Ford's MyKey, which can be used to set certain 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 a stop from 60 mph in a segment-average 128 feet. The government gave the Fusion Energi five out of five stars for overall crash protection, along with five stars for frontal protection and four stars for side protection. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the non-hybrid but otherwise similar Fusion the highest possible rating of "Good" in its frontal-offset, side and roof-strength crash tests.

The 2014 Ford Fusion Energi drives much like the similar Fusion Hybrid. Acceleration is adequate for daily use around town, and there's enough power for passing on the highway, too, especially if you plan ahead. We also like how the car is very quiet at highway speeds. As with most hybrid cars, acclimating to the regenerative braking system (which is used to recharge the battery pack) requires a little time, and inching either forward or backward into a parking stall takes a delicate touch on the brake pedal, but the Fusion Energi does a better job of this than many others. Helping with this learning curve is Ford's dashboard braking coach that tells you how much energy you've captured during the last stop.

Compared with the Hybrid, the Energi offers the driver more control of the car's all-electric drive. With the EV mode button, the driver is able to switch the car's operation among three modes: EV Now all-electric (up to 85 mph or for up to 19 miles), EV Auto for normal hybrid power blend (like the Fusion Hybrid) or an EV Later mode that favors the gas engine and conserves battery power for later use.

Thanks to its sophisticated suspension design, 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.

Inside the Fusion Energi's cabin, high-quality materials show Ford's continuing dedication to improving the passenger environment. The dashboard and center stack are uncluttered and tastefully designed, although this look can also come across as a bit austere and uninviting, especially with an all-black interior.

With the highly adjustable power driver seat and tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, just about everybody should be able to find a comfortable driving position. The passenger seat is just as supportive, while the split-folding rear seats are well contoured and have plenty of legroom. You might assume that the Fusion's swoopy styling would cut down on rear headroom, yet it is comparable to its competition, with enough clearance for normal-size adults. Visibility to the front is relatively unhindered, thanks to the Fusion's slender front roof pillars.

The MyFord Touch system interface consists of a main display and supporting gauge cluster displays along with touch controls, steering wheel buttons and the Sync voice-control system. It's a smart idea in theory, and it provides some nice customization possibilities. Unfortunately, there's a learning curve involved for the user, and even with Ford's recent updates, we've found that the system requires periodic reboots to maintain functionality. Also, it's distracting to use on the move, because the touchscreen's buttons are small and hard to locate, and the screen is often slow to respond to touch.

The illuminated fender-mounted charge port pulses and adds quadrants of light with the state of battery charging. The MyFord Mobile smartphone app or a computer enables a number of special, remote features: scheduling off-peak home charging at a time of your choosing (may also be selected in-car), pre-heating or -cooling the interior of the car, monitoring and displaying the Focus Energi's state of charge, current driving range and locating charge stations and planning routes to them.

One notable downside to the Fusion Energi is its small trunk. Due to the larger battery pack, luggage capacity is just 8.2 cubic feet, or 4 less than the regular Hybrid and only half that of the regular Fusion.