The 2014 Ford Fusion Energi is a plug-in hybrid that provides the mind-blowing fuel economy numbers you’d expect. What you won’t expect is that it in many ways doesn’t feel like a hybrid, making it a much more enjoyable drive than its name implies.
Hybrids, and especially plug-ins, are the cars of choice for those looking to save the planet and some cash. The Ford Fusion Energi fulfills this promise with 43 MPG fuel economy driving in gasoline mode and a 100 MPGe rating. Those are impressive numbers and they’re the ones that make you want to buy a car like this in the first place.
On the flip side of that equation is the cost. Our tester in the base SE trim came in at $40,535 which means you’re paying a premium for this plug-in. Is it worth it? After driving the car for a week, I’m going to say yes, but only if you really want a plug-in hybrid. The Fusion Hybrid can be yours for $27,280 with 44/41 city/highway numbers which are still impressive and it’ll take a lot of gas savings to make up the initial price difference.
That said, the Fusion Energi is a good-looking, comfortable, and very well-equipped car. You might be behaving frugally by saving money at the pump, but nothing in this car will make you feel like you skimped at the dealership and you’ll feel better about that high price of entry. It starts with seats that are leather and 10-way power adjustable for the driver or 4-way adjustable for the passenger, a leather wrapped shift knob, and a leather wrapped steering wheel with audio and cruise control buttons.
Add dual-zone climate control with capacitive buttons that actually work without having to be pressed multiple times, intermittent wipers, message center w/trip computer, MyFord Mobile, and Sync with MyFord Touch and what you have is one plush ride. The seats are comfortable and supportive both front and rear and there’s plenty of legroom. They say there’s seating for 5, and this is one of those times where it’s actually true with enough room for 3 average adults in the back. You and your fully loaded car will be ready to go with a full charge in 7 hours using a 120 outlet or 2.5 hours using a 240.
As comfortable and spacious as the passenger space may be, the same cannot be said for cargo space. What looks like a big trunk from the outside is mostly a great big battery on the inside. It’s got just 8.2 cubic feet back there, less than the 12 in the hybrid or the 16 in the traditional gas engine. This might be the hardest part of the trade-off, leaving just enough room for groceries but probably not enough to hold your luggage or anything other than a couple of carry-on bags.
Driving the Fusion Energi is similar to what you’ll experience with other hybrid vehicles. The car is not designed for speed and performance, but nonetheless it accelerated confidently and smoothly into traffic. Your only hint that it’s working really hard to do that is the slightly too taxed sound of the 2.0-Liter Atkinson-Cycle inline-4 Energi Plug-In Hybrid Engine. It gives you 188 horsepower and those horses really work under hard acceleration by the sound of things.
As a plug-in hybrid, there are three different modes in which you can drive the car. There’s the EV Now mode which is entirely electric and will let you hit speeds up to 85 MPH and then cruise for 21 miles. Next up is EV Automatic which works more like a traditional hybrid switching between electric and gas on the fly as conditions change. Lastly, there’s the EV Later button which sets you up to use the gas engine. Performance and responsiveness go up as you rely more on that gas engine and forgo electric driving.
The 2014 Ford Fusion Energi is one of the nicer plug-in hybrids on the market with good looks that don’t scream hybrid and a very comfortable interior, but it requires a careful choice. You can choose to give up trunk space and pay the higher price for that 100 MPGe or you can choose the Fusion Hybrid, get back that trunk space and some cash in your wallet but lose that incredible fuel efficiency. As plug-in hybrids go, the 2014 Ford Fusion Energi is an excellent choice.
2014 Ford Fusion Energi SE
Base Price: $38,700
Price As Tested: $39,790 (not including destination charge)
Likes
- Comfortable, Good-Looking Interior
- Comprehensive Infotainment System
- Fuel Economy
Dislikes
- High Price
- Very Small Trunk
