Gas or Grid
2019 Ford Fusion Energi
Fusion comes in three flavors: gas-powered, hybrid powered (HEV) or — as in this week’s test drive — plug-in hybrid powered (PHEV). Known as Energi (and I don’t why it’s an “i” not a “y”), the PHEV Fusion is priced at $34,595. That sticker is $7,040 more than the base trim, hybrid Fusion ($27,555). The financial gulf between the two has largely to do with trim level. Formerly offered in three trims, Fusion Energi is now available only one way — loaded. The models are outfitted in top rung, Titanium trim. A Fusion Hybrid in identical trim stickers for just $110 less than Energi ($34,485).
Energi shares the basic components of its hybrid power system with the “plug-less” hybrid Fusion — a 2.0L Atkinson cycle, inline four cylinder gas engine, combined with an AC synchronous motor and a Continuously Variable Transmission. The additional wrinkle with Energi is the plug-in’s lithiumion
battery pack. The battery’s size has been increased for 2019, from its former storage capacity of 7-kwh to 9-kwh. It takes about 7 hours to recharge the battery pack on standard, 120v current; and 2.5 hours on a 240v connection.
The approximately 20 percent increase in size brings with it a boost in electric-only range from 21 miles to 25 miles on a full charge. That edges Energi past Prius Prime (22), and closes ground on Hyundai Ioniq and Kia Optima (both @ 27) on that metric. However, it’s still considerably behind Honda Clarity (48) or Chevy Volt (53). On the flip side, Clarity’s smaller gas tank means it has an overall (gas and electric) range of about 340 miles, and Volt’s total range is 420 miles, compared to 610 in Fusion Energi.
Total system horsepower is 195 with a fully-charged battery, or 188 without. That translates to a low, 8-second trip from 0-60 mph, which is in the ballpark with similarly powered vehicles, and sufficient for normal driving activities. Because of torque-rich nature of electric motor power, it feels faster off the line than the numbers suggest. Fuel economy is impressive: Energi is rated at 103 MPGE (gas and electric), 42 mpg combined (gas only). I logged 34 miles per gallon during my test drive.
The FWD Fusion Energi rides well and corners competently, though not with the gusto of the AWD equipped Sport, the sportiest handler of the Fusion series. Regenerative braking feeds the battery pack that powers the electric motor. When binders are called on to multi-task, brake feel can be a casualty, and that’s the case here — Energi has a grabby brake pedal.
Rear seat legroom measures 37.8 inches, and compares to 36.6 inches in Clarity, 39.3 inches in Accord Hybrid, 38.9 inches in Camry Hybrid, 35.6 inches in Sonata Hybrid and 34.7 inches in the Chevy Volt. It’s enough to hold a pair of six-footers in back, with a like size driver.
All hybrids take a hit in trunk space, as the cargo hold shares the same real estate as the hybrid system’s lithium ion battery pack. Fusion’s spec sheet shows the effects of power source on cargo space. In a gas powered Fusion, the trunk capacity is 16 cubic feet. It drops to 12 in Fusion Hybrid. Owing to the added presence of the plug-in’s battery pack, Energi’s trunk measures just 8 cu.-ft., and while there’s a skinny,
The Fusion Energi’s 25-mile electric-only range inches past that of the Prius Prime.
slot pass-through (more like wide, mail slot), the rear seatbacks don’t fold down. It makes for a small trunk, with limited options for holding a big box from a big box store.
Energi’s dashboard display is programmable. Several of the options give the driver feedback on their fuel frugality. My favorite choice is “Energy Leaves.” which depicts the efficiency of your driving style as leaves on a vine. Smooth driving is rewarded by new growth. A heavy shoe is met with leaf loss. It’s a nice way of encouraging efficient driving, and yes, it’s also fun to occasionally defoliate the dash display, too. Fusion added a rotary shifter as of the 2017 model year.
Here as found elsewhere, knurled knobs are the best alternative to the traditional lever style shifter that I’ve seen. They’re intuitive, non-distracting and a whole lot more functional than some of the different-for-different’s-sake designs I’ve seen elsewhere. Most HVAC controls are found in buttons at mid-dash level. The rest are absorbed into the 8-inch touchscreen above.
The division of functions slows the operation of doing simple tasks (like changing the air flow distribution), and more so, because the reaction time of the touchscreen isn’t especially quick. On the plus side, the SYNC 3 system is compatible with Android Auto and Apple Carplay, if you want to use your favorite phone apps.
The 2019 Fusion incorporates Ford Co-pilot 360 — a bundle of driver assist technologies — as standard equipment. Included are: blind spot information with cross traffic alert, rear backup camera, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane keep assist, pre-collision assist, automatic high beam headlights.
We’re seeing more and more manufactures roll out their own takes on standard, safety bundles. I like the fact that — at least in this model — Ford’s roster of standards includes blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert — two every day, safety staples. Another layer of features — adaptive cruise control, voice activated navigation, Sirius XM Traffic/travel link — is available optionally (and standard on Titanium, Sport, and Hybrids).
As noted above, Fusion Energi runs about $35,000. However, Fusion Hybrid starts at $27,555, and only rises as high as Energi if fully loaded. For that reason, Fusion’s HEV is a better value pick than the PHEV.
Either way, buyers may be able to offset some of their purchase price through federal and state income tax credits.
Energi’s dashboard “Engergy leaves” give drivers feedback on their fuel frugality.
A regular contributor to the Times Union for more than 25 years, Dan Lyons is the award-winning author of six books, and photographer of 180 calendars.