Is Fusion Energi Right for Me?

[Wary Shopper]

Hi everyone -

 

I am considering buying a 2018 Fusion Energi SE. The car looks great and the interior is comfortable. However, I have never owned a hybrid or plug-in hybrid before so I am not sure how it will perform on my daily commute. My round trip commute into Toronto is 90 km (56 miles) and conditions range from stop & go to 110 km/h (70 mph). There is no option to charge while I am at work.

 

Clearly I won't be able to do the commute on battery power alone. It is also clear to me that range itself is not a problem. However, will performance be acceptable on the journey home? What would be the right mode for this situation? I hope I can benefit from your experience as a consider whether this is the right vehicle for my situation.

 

Thank you

Edited May 8, 2018 at 01:16 AM by jeff_h

[DavidWhy]

I have a 2017 Fusion Energi SE. I find that it gets great mileage - around 35-45 mpg - even when it's just in hybrid mode. The Energi has 3 modes: Hybrid mode (uses both battery and gas), Full electric and Electric off (for when you want to save your battery power for later). My work commute is around 13 miles one way, so I get there on a single charge. My company provides a charger, so I get back home on that charge. BUT... even when I go somewhere that uses the entire battery and I have no battery for my return trip, I still get 35 - 45 mpg. It's a good looking car with a lot of nice bells and whistles. I had whittled my final 3 choices down to the Lincoln MKZ hybrid, the Audi TT and the Fusion Energi. In the end, my practical side won out and I have not regretted my decision. As a matter of fact, as gas prices go UP this summer, I'm likely to be even MORE happy that I went with the Fusion Energi. Oh... and don't forget about that handy $4000 credit that you'll get on your taxes next year.

[jj2me]

Best to allocate your EV miles to slower speeds and use EV-Later on the highway.

 

Performance will be the same as the Ford Fusion Hybrid when you've used up your plug-in charge or switch to EV-Later.

[Wary Shopper]

Davidwhy, jj2me, thanks for for your helpful answers.

 

I assume that the car is smart enough (i.e. smarter than me) to switch itself from EV to auto or EV Later if i drive the car in EV mode until i am out of power.

 

I found a belpful article that provides some advice too.

 

http://www.mattford.com/blog/ford-ev-auto-now-and-later-modes-explained/

 

Now if i can just get over the dial shifter!

 

Thanks again.

[murphy]

The car switches automatically to hybrid mode when the battery is depleted.

 

Use electric mode when in stop and go traffic and switch to EV Later when highway speed is possible.

[Wary Shopper]

Thanks! I think this could work for me.

[muzicman61]

I have a 100 mile round trip commute 4 days a week.  I switch to EV only when on the highway where the speed limit is 70mph.  Then on the weekends, I generally use Auto which in actuality is just EV miles.  Despite my work commute, I am still averaging about 46mpg.

 

The only thing I'd recommend is get a Titanium for the added safety features.  Adaptive cruise control is the bomb!

[4cylinder]

Having switched from a 2013 Hybrid SE I'd recommend looking for clearance or pre-owned deals on a '17 Titanium or Platinum instead - the seats are much better and if you get options like adaptive cruise and lane keep your 90 km commute will be FAR more pleasant :)

 

I have a 2017 Fusion Energi SE. I find that it gets great mileage - around 35-45 mpg - even when it's just in hybrid mode. The Energi has 3 modes: Hybrid mode (uses both battery and gas), Full electric and Electric off (for when you want to save your battery power for later). My work commute is around 13 miles one way, so I get there on a single charge. My company provides a charger, so I get back home on that charge. BUT... even when I go somewhere that uses the entire battery and I have no battery for my return trip, I still get 35 - 45 mpg. It's a good looking car with a lot of nice bells and whistles. I had whittled my final 3 choices down to the Lincoln MKZ hybrid, the Audi TT and the Fusion Energi. In the end, my practical side won out and I have not regretted my decision. As a matter of fact, as gas prices go UP this summer, I'm likely to be even MORE happy that I went with the Fusion Energi. Oh... and don't forget about that handy $4000 credit that you'll get on your taxes next year.

 

He is in Canada - in his province they get an instant rebate rather than a tax refund and it's $7,000 CAD which is more generous even at current exchange rates :)

Edited May 7, 2018 at 01:00 PM by 4cylinder

[muzicman61]

 

Having switched from a 2013 Hybrid SE I'd recommend looking for clearance or pre-owned deals on a '17 Titanium or Platinum instead - the seats are much better and if you get options like adaptive cruise and lane keep your 90 km commute will be FAR more pleasant :)

 

 

He is in Canada - in his province they get an instant rebate rather than a tax refund and it's $7,000 CAD which is more generous even at current exchange rates :)

 

 

I agree.  You might even look for factory exec 2018's which should start showing up pretty soon.  My 2017 was a factory exec and i got it for almost $20K off the sticker price.  Of course, I did not get the tax credit but who cares. :)

[Wary Shopper]

I have a 100 mile round trip commute 4 days a week. I switch to EV only when on the highway where the speed limit is 70mph. Then on the weekends, I generally use Auto which in actuality is just EV miles. Despite my work commute, I am still averaging about 46mpg.

 

The only thing I'd recommend is get a Titanium for the added safety features. Adaptive cruise control is the bomb!

Adaptive cruise control sounds interesting. The cooled front seats and 18 inch wheels are also attractive. Upgrade from SE to Titanium is $2200 so I might go for it.

[4cylinder]

Note - you can get an SE with all the tech minus cooled seats but 99% of the SE vehicles on dealer lots tend to be lacking in tech, necessitating a factory order. Titaniums are far more likely to have more options, while Platinums are fully loaded by definition.

[jj2me]

I switch to EV only when on the highway where the speed limit is 70mph.

Did you mean to say "I switch to EV-Later" on the highway?

[muzicman61]

Did you mean to say "I switch to EV-Later" on the highway?

 

Yes, my bad.  Note, when i first get on the interstate the speed limit is 55 and i use Auto EV mode.  But once i hit 70 on the outskirts of town I switch to EV Later.

 

Actually I don't think I've ever used EV only mode.  Auto or EV Later.

[jsamp]

Wary,

 

The energi will serve you well, but how much better than a std hybrid depends on the length of stop-and-go and low speed driving in your commute.  If it is only a couple miles the benefit will be minimal.  If it is a lot that is where the energi will really shine.  

 

You being in Toronto area means you will take quite a hit on available EV miles in the winter time, but when weather improves, that comes back.

[Blastphemy]

Hi everyone -

 

I am considering buying a 2018 Fusion Energi SE. The car looks great and the interior is comfortable. However, I have never owned a hybrid or plug-in hybrid before so I am not sure how it will perform on my daily commute. My round trip commute into Toronto is 90 km (56 miles) and conditions range from stop & go to 110 km/h (70 mph). There is no option to charge while I am at work.

 

Clearly I won't be able to do the commute on battery power alone. It is also clear to me that range itself is not a problem. However, will performance be acceptable on the journey home? What would be the right mode for this situation? I hope I can benefit from your experience as a consider whether this is the right vehicle for my situation.

 

If you want to do the majority of that 56-mile commute on battery power, then get a Chevrolet Volt. You'd be getting gas about four times a year (vs. every 2-3 weeks with the Ford).

 

Also, Ford has made it clear that the Fusion is finished, so you'd be getting a car that Ford will no longer make. Not sure I'd ever reward a company for that.

[Wary Shopper]

If you want to do the majority of that 56-mile commute on battery power, then get a Chevrolet Volt. You'd be getting gas about four times a year (vs. every 2-3 weeks with the Ford).

 

Also, Ford has made it clear that the Fusion is finished, so you'd be getting a car that Ford will no longer make. Not sure I'd ever reward a company for that.

 

Thanks for the comparison, Blast. Although there is that difference in performance, I am lookingat the Energi for other reasons. I will get a $7k rebate and access to the HOV lanes with a Energi and bupkis for the Volt.

[murphy]

Thanks for the comparison, Blast. Although there is that difference in performance, I am lookingat the Energi for other reasons. I will get a $7k rebate and access to the HOV lanes with a Energi and bupkis for the Volt.

It's not a rebate, it's a tax credit.  It is $4007 for the Energi. 

 

https://www.irs.gov/businesses/30d-new-qualified-plug-in-electric-drive-motor-vehicles-ford-motor-company

[jsamp]

He's in Canada.  The rebates/tax credits are different up north.