Ford Fusion Energi

The Ford Fusion Energi hybrid has a 20 mile electric battery range and a total electric/gas range of 600 miles, giving it the highest combined total range of any USA plug-in hybrid

With its extensive total range, Aston Martin-similar design lines and generous government incentives which dramatically lower its sticker price, the 2017 Energi is appealing to consumers looking for a transitional vehicle that vanquishes their range anxiety. Ford executive chairman Bill Ford sums up the manufacturer's POV concerning the 2017 model: "As a transitional technology, plug-in hybrids make a lot of sense. If you drive in a daily commute, let’s say in San Francisco all week, you could be on your electric battery and never tap into your internal combustion engine. But if you wanted to go to Los Angeles for the weekend, you could do that too without any range anxiety. So I think that’s a very interesting transitional technology, particularly for people where it’s their only vehicle.”

Energi’s front-wheel-drive powertrain is a 118-hp electric motor working with a 141-hp 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder to output 188 horsepower, allowing the car to achieve 85 mph. EPA ratings for the 2017 Fusion Energi (SE) using both gas and electric power are 104 MPGe city, 91 MPGe highway, and 97 MPGe combined. Fuel economy is around 40/36 mpg for city/highway. Acceleration is 0 to 60 in under 8.6 seconds.

Fusion Energi uses three driving modes: Auto EV (default), EV Now and EV Later, letting you choose use electric, gasoline or a combination of gas and electric. Regenerative Braking and Brake Coach track how 94% of kinetic energy lost during friction due to braking is recovered and sent back to Energi's battery system. SYNC® Connect (optional) allows you to use FordPass™ to track your vehicle’s location and remotely access vehicle features such as start, lock and unlock and vehicle status including fuel level and approximate mileage. Electric power-assisted steering (EPAS) automatically adjusts to provide the control you need at high speeds. Auto Start-Stop Technology is standard on the 1.5L EcoBoost® engine. When the vehicle stops in city driving, the engine automatically shuts off. AC and radio stay on and the engine seamlessly restarts when the brake pedal is released. The MyFord Mobile* app and the myfordmobile.com website allow you to monitor and schedule charging for your vehicle from remote locations and help you extend your battery range. Its interior space is generous in size and well-appointed, seating 5 adults.

Edmunds reviewers discuss it's three trim levels: "The 2017 Ford Fusion Energi is a five-passenger plug-in hybrid sedan that comes in three trim levels: SE Luxury, Titanium and Platinum. The SE Luxury comes well-equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic LED headlights, LED foglights and taillights, heated mirrors with driver-side auto-dimming, keypad entry, rear parking sensors, keyless entry and ignition, remote ignition, cruise control, dual-zone automatic climate control, rear air vents, leather upholstery, heated power front seats (eight-way driver and six-way passenger), driver memory settings, 60/40-split folding rear seatbacks, a leather-wrapped tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, an auto-dimming rearview mirror and a 110-volt household-style power outlet. Standard technology features include voice controls, the Sync 3 interface (with an 8-inch touchscreen and twin 4.2-inch configurable screens in the instrument cluster), a rearview camera, Bluetooth connectivity and an 11-speaker sound system with a CD player, satellite radio, an auxiliary audio jack and two USB ports.

The Titanium trim adds a rear spoiler, ambient interior lighting, front sport seats, an eight-way power passenger seat and an upgraded Sony audio system with 12 speakers and HD radio. The optional Driver Assist package bundles automatic high-beam control, automatic wipers, a blind spot monitoring system, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning and intervention, and a heated steering wheel. Stand-alone options include adaptive cruise control (includes frontal collision warning and mitigation), an automated parallel and perpendicular parking feature (includes front and side parking sensors), a sunroof and a navigation system. On the Titanium, you can also get ventilated front seats.

The Platinum includes all above features, in addition to upgraded leather upholstery, additional leather trim and a power-adjustable steering wheel. Eighteen-inch wheels are optional on the Titanium and Platinum, while inflatable rear seatbelts are available on all trims."

The Ford Fusion Energi won the 2010 Detroit Auto Show North American Car of the Year Award. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety considered the Ford Fusion Energi a Top Safety Pick in 2015, giving it 5 out of 5 stars.