How happy are you with your Fusion Energi?

[TCMALIBU]

I could not find a general topic like this, so I hope I do not get in trouble. As I prepare to make a pretty big change, going from a german luxury car to a Fusion Energi Titanium, I would love to know how members here really feel about their Fusion Energi, what car the switched from, and if they would do it again? So:

• Happiness overall on a sale of 1 to 10?
• Your Previous Daily Driver (Car)?
• Would you do it again?

Thanks for your input! :)

[murphy]

1. 10

2. 2010 Fusion Hybrid

3. In a heartbeat.  I wanted the Energi when I bought the 2010 Hybrid but had to wait 4 years for it to be available.

[Wadeskees]

1. 10+. Better than we ever expected.

2. 2006 Fusion SEL, still using it as my daily commute car with 210,000 miles.

3. I would definitely do it again, my wife drives the Energi, my next vehicle will either be an Energi or a Focus Electric. This car is all about how you drive it. If you only drive interstate at 75 mph you probably won't be as thrilled. We purposely take two lane roads when we can, we don't run the A/C or heat unless we absolutely have to, and we enjoy every minute of it. Unless we have to take it on a trip we only have to put fuel in it every six weeks and it already has 16000 miles on it.

[howardbc]

1. 10

2. Toyota Prius

3. Heck, yes.

 

I have driven high performance and luxury cars (Corvette, Jaguar) but just love the technology in the Fusion Energi. I know I gained invaluable experience driving a hybrid for 5 years before the Fusion Energi. If you are used to "punching it" with your German luxury car, you will be disappointed in the initial mileage you get in the Fusion Energi. 

 

Yesterday I drove on the expressway and in town and got 32 miles from the battery. But the incredible regenerative system will add more battery miles just by braking sensibly. My Lifetime Summary is over 74MPG. How you do depends on your daily commute, whether there are charging stations at your job, etc. 

 

I wish the car could go 100+ miles with no gas but it's the best that's out there so far. I would love a 100% EV but the lack of charging stations holds me back. Battery technology continues to improve and there are amazing things in our future. In the mean time, I'm very happy with my Fusion Energi. 

 

Ask a lot of questions in this forum. Join a local car club for hybrids or plugins. Do NOT expect the car salesman to know what he's talking about. Let us know how it goes. 

[frbill]

1. 9.8  - 10 (didn't care for the ding I got on the low front bumper, but that may have been operator error hence the variabe rating)

2. Ford  C-Max SEL ( Had a defective 12 volt system otherwise would still be driving it)

3.You betcha, I too have been waiting for the PHEV from Ford since the advent of the Volt. The failure of my C-Max and the rebates and tax credit of the Fusion made it possible for me to move on it sooner than I would have otherwise been able purchase. I have been able to drive 1900+ miles and have not yet used the full tank my dealer gave at delivery. I love driving EV almost everywhere and Hybrid when needed. As battery tech continues to improve I look to the day when Ford offers a 40+ mile PHEV but until then I am very pleased with the FFE.

[Nemo]

1. 10

2. Acura TL TypeS

3. Absolutely

 

I have a background in customizing German automobiles. I used to drive/customize/sell mostly Mercedes, but I dabbled in Porsche and Audi too. There's nothing like the roar of an AMG under the hood to me (sorry to all gas sippers!). The main reason I took the Energi plunge was my work commute changed from just over 1 mile to 26 miles one way. With my heavy foot, I was wasting wayyyy more money on gas, and calculated 17mpg with my heavy foot. After researching and driving all electric, PHEV, and Hybrids the Fusion Energi wins by far in all categories I was interested in. Efficiency, looks, comfort, and luxury. (I don't have a Tesla budget with 2 new babies so it wasn't included in my comparison). I thought I'd be disappointed in the performance of the Energi, but that literally didn't even last one trip. I've become a new person.

 

My lead foot has turned into an obsession to get the highest efficiency score on every trip. It's like stepping into a good looking lush vehicle everyday and playing a video game trying to beat your last score. Playing with the different EV modes, learning how to brake/accelerate has all been so much fun. Not to mention the park assist, adaptive cruise, lane keep, and all that Sync has to offer. This vehicle is so much more advanced than any German car I've driven. Right now, I have just over 500 miles (mostly freeway) and gone through only 1/4 tank of gas. That equates to 2,000 miles a tank and 142mpg compared to the above 17mpg! (I charge at work too)

 

I love it!

If you're on the fence about getting it, go for it! The grass is definitely greener on this side.

 

LITERALLY!!!!!!!! =)

[Eric4539]

1. 10

2. 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid

3. Without a doubt

 

The Altima Hybrid was peppier, but the Energi is far more advanced in technology. No comparison in comfort, safety features and mpg; on long distance drives I easily achieve 10 mpg more with the Energi over the Altima.

 

I researched for about 2 months and asked a lot of questions on this forum just as you are. All the friends here offered honest and helpful advice. So I finally purchased my Energi in June - not one second of regret or buyer's remorse. I absolutely love the car!

[meyersnole]

Great topic TCMALIBU

 

1. 9
2. Acura TL, BMW 528 before that
3. Yes, this car has exceeded my expectations.

 

I put 9, because I have a hard time putting anything at perfect and there was some compromise. Having said that this car will engage your inner car emotion but in a different way than a German Luxury car will. Instead of hunting for that perfect road where you can test the suspension, brakes, acceleration, and trill of a high g turn you will instead become fixated on increased range, maximum efficiency stops, and a nearly silent ride.  

 

It is quite impressive feat to get so much efficiency out of a vehicle that is every bit as big as my TL and almost as large as my old 5 series. If your commute is 10 miles (one way), you will go months with out visiting the gas station (I drove over 2500 miles before my first fill up). And when you do, you can push the button with the much cheaper fuel (~0.40/gal cheaper).

[FusionEnergi]

1. 9.5 ( small trunk space, battery limited range, and no spare tire)

2. 2004 Honda civic hybrid

3. Yes

 

Love the quiet EV trips.

Charging at home gives me more time to spend with the family. No more filling up in the rain, wind, or cold.

The technology is a major improvement over my previous car.

The Energi is bigger and heavier than my previous vehicle = safety.

When the solar panels get installed I'll will be driving soley on clean fuel.

The Energi coaches to drive more efficiently.

Never fathomed I would be getting around 150 mpge with intown driving.

Great forum discussions that I never looked for with my previous vehicles.

With electric available at various places I can fill-up for free, can't do that with gasoline.

Tax incentives and all the rebates available make it a big win.

Edited December 2, 2013 at 01:29 AM by FusionEnergi

[Fat Fusion]

I love my car.  Much more than I thought I would.  The only things I don't like are the horrible rear shocks and lack of head room in the moon roof car, since I'm 6-2.  And everyone could use a little more EV range.

[howardbc]

Hi, Fat Fusion. I'll wait for someone more knowledgeable than me to address your concerns about the rear, but I have noticed that the FFE has something similar to (I think) the ESC feature on my former car which was a Prius. It makes you sometimes feel like the rear wheels are spinning for a split second when you're accelerating from a dead stop. Is that what you're talking about? Also, some times when you go over a very small bump in the road at low speeds, it feels "squirrely." I'm pretty sure it's a stability control feature that all new cars have now. But it still startles me every time it happens.  

 

On the head room, I'm sure you have the seat level set to its lowest. I wonder if the Ford service department could do something to make it lower. 

[Fat Fusion]

Actually I'm referring to the rear shocks ability to absorb large bumps like speed bumps.  I suspect something like this would alleviate the issue for me.

 

http://www.steedafusion.com/parts/bilstein-ford-fusion-rear-shock-395-24-102582/

 

Also at some point I could probably be convinced to get some springs as well.

 

http://www.steedafusion.com/parts/steeda-ford-fusion-lowering-springs-555-8306/

 

I think if it were really a problem I could fab up a shorter seat bracket somehow.  As it is I just fit with the seat down and slightly reclined.  Plus I sink in the seat after a few mins to gain additional clearance.

[Gigi]

11 days after we bought the car . . .

 

1. 9.5

2. 2003 Honda Odyssey with 259,000 miles

3. Yes indeed, but . . .

 

1. We bought the SE model because the Titanium came only with charcoal interior.  What's missing on the SE is the Sony radio that is available on the Titanium.  I'm researching how to add a sub to get a fuller sound.  Interestingly, bluetooth and usb sources play with a pretty full range of sound.  Only the radio and Sirius sound thin.

 

2. The last two cars before the Odyssey we also drove for over 200K.  The Odyssey needed to have the transmission replaced for the second time.  Bluebook value was less than the cost of the transmission and other needed repairs (bushings, boots, etc.).  The last time I sunk that kind of money into car repairs, someone ran a red light, T-boned me, and I did not recover from insurance the cost of what I had just put in the car.  Never again!

 

3. I am really happy with the Fusion Energi.  It's my wife's commute vehicle.  I can't wait to have my turn behind the wheel on the weekend.  I'm thinking of buying a Focus Electric for my commute.  I just love the idea of driving on electricity vs. gas.  I love the styling, the materials, the build quality, and all the "bells and whistles."  We got an end-of-the-year deal, $8,000 off in incentives and rebate plus the federal tax credit that made the ticket price reasonable.

 

The "but" is a lifestyle change.  I loved the Odyssey because it could haul a lot of people and luggage.  We're going to have to figure something out for family trips with 5 adults - 1) pack tons of luggage under a tonneau and ride 3 in the backseat of my F150 at 16-18 mpg on the highway, 2) pack really, really lightly and have the smallest adult ride on the hump in the back seat in the Fusion, 3) drive 2 cars, the Fusion and my son's Focus, or 4) rent a mini-van.  With the Odyssey, we didn't have this kind of family vacation question.  We just loaded up and went.  With more than 90% of the car's usage being with one or two people, the Fusion Energi made more sense than buying another Odyssey.  We'll just have to figure out what to do about traveling with more than 2 or three people.

[Russael]

1.  I give it an 11.  :)

2.  2001 Ford Focus SE

3.  Yes, I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

 

For me, I've been interested in electrified vehicles since the 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid.  But the one thing that bugged me about said hybrid was one small problem - you can't charge the high voltage battery at home.  This, for me, didn't make any sense at all.  What was the point of charging a battery only by braking or idling?  Braking would get you some additional energy, but idling away was wasteful.  So, I waited.

 

2010 rolled around with the Ford Fusion Hybrid.  Same thing... can't charge the battery, but I absolutely was enthralled with the fuel economy numbers.

 

2012 came along and Ford started talking of an all electric Ford Focus.  I researched the dickens out of it, test drove it, and it was everything I could've wanted.  Except no employee discounts (A, X, Z, or even D) and no subwoofer for the sound system.  That made the sticker out of reach for me.

 

And then the 2013 Fusion was unveiled.  Totally fell in love with the car.  And then I learned that they were going to make it a plug-in hybrid.  YES... the car I've been waiting for.  Unbelievable looks, the ability to actually charge that huge battery, and the fact that it can run as an EV for short trips, and I can drive it cross country if I so needed.

 

Coming from 1999/2001 technology, this car was like climbing in to a VR video game.  My Focus had about 105k on it when I elected to order a Fusion Energi Titanium.  My Expedition has the same mileage.  I had bought the Focus as a work commuter car since driving my truck would consume a gallon of gas for an 11 mile round trip.  3.50 to go to work every day?  No thanks.  The Focus got 24MPG in and around the city as an average, so it wasn't bad, but it irritated me to watch me pour 40 dollars in to the tank every couple weeks.  I dislike going to gas stations, dislike the idea that my money isn't really going to a domestic product, so on and so forth.  Prior to the office I'm located at, I was driving 37 miles one way each day to go to a different building.  That lasted from 2005 to 2007, and I had a Ford Escort that I bought to try to save gas... and it did quite well.  It died at 245k, in 2010.  The Focus was its replacement.

 

Now, I can roll up and back to work on 25 cents.  I drive in silence (aside from turning up the jams on the stereo), and I haven't been to the gas station with this car... in fact, I haven't used any gas so far, since May 28th.  That, to me, is beyond words worth it.  And even when I do, getting 40+ MPG numbers when my Focus, on its best day, got 36?  No contest.

 

I knew the trunk was small, but, I knew it wouldn't interfere with my daily activities.  I did keep my truck for a multitude of reasons, one of which being able to haul large items, but it's also my vacation vehicle.  It spends most of its time on the expressway nowadays, for distant trips (I love being up high).

 

In all, I couldn't be happier with the Fusion.  Maybe in 10 - 15 years when it MAY need a new battery, a new, higher capacity battery will be available.  I figured technology would march on and the car would be upgradable.  Yet another reason I jumped in with both feet.  :)

[ChuckJ]

• Happiness overall on a sale of 1 to 10?

Your Previous Daily Driver (Car)?

Would you do it again?

1. For our family, a 10 because there are only 2 of us, but if you have a family you will have a hard time fitting everything in the trunk.  The back seats fold down and there is a small pass-through so you can carry a couple of 2x4s. If you are mostly using it for town driving, a 220 charger will give you incredible freedom and flexibility with a complete charge in less than 2 hours. They run about $750-1200.  I love the Siemens I got on Amazon for $750. You'll get from 41 to 44 on the highway depending on your speed. Around town mileage is unbelievable if you have good electric rates.It takes about 5Kwh for a complete charge (~20 miles).  Our electricity is .08 / Kwh so with an 80% efficient charger it's less than $.50 for 20 miles.  Even in a 40 MPG Fusion Hybrid and $3.50/gal it's $1.75 for the same 20 mile trip or 1/3rd the cost of gas.  But if you live in an area with $.30 / Kwh the benefit is eliminated.  It is quiet and smooth!  Acceleration is much better than the Prius, but not like a six cylinder BMW with 60 in about 8.5 seconds.  It doesn't mind heat too much, but cold will reduce mileage.  There some detail in other posts that you can search for.  The ride is good, but the batteries make the rear ride a little heavy that is noticeable over bumps.

2. 2011 Fusion Hybrid

3. Yes

 

ChuckJ

 

[asimsiddiqi]

1. 9.5

2. Infiniti EX35

3. Yes!

 

I bought my Fusion Energi a couple of weeks ago.  The only reason I took off half a point is because I had to take it in to the service department just a few days after I bought it.  There was an issue with the arrow keys on the right side of the steering wheel that control the right panel of the instrument cluster.  They had to replace the keys on the right side of the steering wheel, but it's been working fine since then.  Hoping I don't run into any other issues.  Love everything else about it!!!

[JeffPrice]

9.5

Mini Cooper

You betcha...

[jgcec@yahoo.com]

I sat in a Tesla S the other day at the showroom and I thought that the seats were too hard,

so I wouldn't give a Tesla a 10, because it would not be perfect for me. 

So with a 10 being absolute perfection.

 

9.0 - rear shocks over speed bumps, small trunk, leather could be softer and higher quality

the Energi is like having an electric car and a gas car that are seamlessly integrated together.

The car pool lane driving is a great bonus here in the bay area in CA.

 

Yes I would buy again compared to what is available now. 

 

My previous car Lexus ES 350 2010, Why I liked the ES and I think the Fusion is as good or better

ride, front seat comfort, quiet.

 

I probably would buy a Tesla if I could afford it

for more trunk space, better acceleration and handling, and more of a status symbol.

[JATR4]

Had my 2013 FFE Titanium for 9 days.

 

1.  10

2.  2014 FFE (traded down to the 2013 Titanium)

3.  Yes

[apm]

1. 10+

2. 2010 Fusion Hybrid

3. Absolutely... (I would love to get the cooled seats in the 2014)

[howardbc]

Hi, apm. Boy, I hear you about the cooled seats. Honestly, why do the dealers order (or the manufacturer send) heated seats to places like Miami and Phoenix?!? Hello??? They probably have the cooled seats for sale in Alaska! 

[Griff]

I could not find a general topic like this, so I hope I do not get in trouble. As I prepare to make a pretty big change, going from a german luxury car to a Fusion Energi Titanium, I would love to know how members here really feel about their Fusion Energi, what car the switched from, and if they would do it again? So:

 

• Happiness overall on a sale of 1 to 10?
• Your Previous Daily Driver (Car)?
• Would you do it again?

Thanks for your input! :)

1. 10

2. Came from a Honda Ridgeline, but drove Honda Accords before that.

3. Yes indeed! The value for the money, if you're into bells & whistles, is great. Ive been looking at fusions for a lomg time and they've done nothing, but gotten better.

[wxdude]

1.  10

2.  2011 Ford F250 Diesel

3.  Without a doubt.  It was a drastic change and I do miss my truck, but everything that I get with this car trumps all of that.  About the only thing I would like to see is diesel hybrid/PHEV's, I just love the smell and sound of a diesel.  However there is a lot of additional systems that has to come along with a diesel powerplant vs a mogas burner that I imagine is holding this back from seeing it anytime soon.

[Fat Fusion]

I love my car.  Much more than I thought I would.  The only things I don't like are the horrible rear shocks and lack of head room in the moon roof car, since I'm 6-2.  And everyone could use a little more EV range.

 

I failed to follow the rule.  Sometimes I'm like that.  :redcard:

 

1.  Gotta give it a 9.  If it had any sort of surprising amount of power or handling I'd bump it to a 10.  I can and will change the shocks.

2.  I alternated between my 2012 Boss 302 and 1999 Crew Cab Turbo Diesel 4x4 6 Speed Manual.  Boss is for anti-traffic, both got 17 MPG.

3.  Yep.  It has been a lifesaver so far as I've now put closer to 6000 miles on the car in two months.  I even drive it on weekends.  :headscratch:

 

Make sure you adequately test drive one.  If you're thinking fine German sedan handling you're going to be in for some disappointment.  It drives more like a luxury liner than spory sedan.  That said it you whip and electrocute the squirrels at the same time it will make an acceptable pass on the highway.

[http]

Don't know how I missed this topic. Sorry for the late response.  I picked up my Energi May 31. 

 

1. I give it a 9 out of 10.  Would have gotten a 10 if not for the Sync glitches.

2. I was driving a 2004 BMW Z-4 that I also ordered to my specifications.

3. I love this car.  In fact, I often come home after a rotten Washington DC commute and announce to my wife that I love my car.  We drove to the mall this evening, all electric with the radio off and I'm still amazed how silent the car is.

 

I've been to the gas station four times since then and the only reason why it's been four times is because we took a 120 road trip to a pinball show and sale.