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11th
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A hybrid with fashion sense
Slowly, but surely, I'm warming up to the idea of hybrid-drive living. After many hours behind the wheels of vehicles such as the Prius c, Chevy Volt and even the Nissan LEAF, I've come to appreciate them quite a bit.
Now, after a week with the 2013 Ford Fusion Energi, I'm once again singing the praises of a hybrid vehicle. It's amazing what a little evolution, and a good design package, can do for one's opinion.
What is a Ford Fusion Energi?
While definitely not the first hybrid Fusion to hit the streets, the 2013 Ford Fusion Energi is one of two plug-in hybrids from Ford. The Energi promises a 1,000km total range (gas and battery combined), with an MPG-e rating of 2.4L/100km (in full electric mode), and it's combined gas/electric rating is 4.1L/100km.
Sitting squarely in the midsize sedan segment, the Ford Fusion Energi offers up good looks, plenty of space and rather outstanding fuel efficiency numbers; something much of its competition has yet to do.
Technicalities
The base 2013 Ford Fusion model starts at $24,149 while the top tier Titanium tops out at just over $35k. Amidst the now five available Fusion models, there are four engines and two drive types (FWD or AWD), as well as both a 6-speed manual and 6-speed automatic, and an available E-CVT.
To save space and headaches with endless numbers, let's focus on the 2013 Ford Fusion Energi SE: With a starting price just under $39k, it sits at the top of the Fusion price bracket.
The engine in the Energi is a 2.0L Atkinson-Cycle I4 good for a combined 195 horses, coupled with an Electronic Continuously Variable (e-CVT) transmission. On a full charge, the 2013 Ford Fusion Energi could potentially take you up to 34km in battery mode alone; however, much depends on driving style and other influencers along the way.
Driving the Ford Fusion Energi
The 2013 Ford Fusion Energi was as big to drive as it looked -- with a dash that seemed to stretch on forever before me and a nose I felt was much too long -- it was also quite nimble to pilot.
Thanks to the e-CVT, in full EV mode the power delivery is smooth and silky... and silent. It's a strange thing driving a battery-powered vehicle, I was constantly sneaking up on people everywhere.
Of course, the 2.0L will kick on if you push the throttle to the floor hard enough (read: for passing manoeuvres on the highway). However, once the vehicle realizes you're done being a yahoo (and travelling under 137km, which you should be!) the gas engine will flick off and you'll be back in battery mode, provided you have the charge.
The 2013 Ford Fusion Energi features Ford's cute little “Efficiency Leaves” in the gauge cluster and it became a game; how many leaves could I get into that little screen? Every time one floated away, I felt quite defeated.
How efficient was the 2013 Ford Fusion Energi? Well, very. I travel close to 100km a day to and from work. The max range I was able to pull from the Energi in full battery mode, with regen kms added, was 39.1km -- not bad. After eight days of driving in all conditions (city/highway/traffic/country roads/hot/cold) for a total close to the 900km mark, I managed an overall average of 3.1L/100km and the highest battery range I managed after a charge was 33km. I used just over a ½ tank of gas.
Inside and Out of the Ford Fusion Energi
The 2013 Ford Fusion Energi is a good looking sedan, truly. Parking it next to the previous generation is almost laughable. If we thought the old Fusion was nice to look at, the new Fusion is a super model by comparison.
Inside, the good looks continue. Large, comfortable seats up front and in the rear ensure the Ford Fusion Energi is accommodating to all who enter. Add in Ford's SYNC system, an easy-to-understand and operate gauge cluster and there's very little not to like.
Of note, the trunk in the 2013 Ford Fusion Energi is, in a word: useless. At just 232 litres (8.2 cu-ft) it's not exactly practical. Why so small? The battery is back there.
Comparing the Ford Fusion Energi
Based on fuel efficiency numbers, the 2013 Ford Fusion Energi's main competition is the Toyota Prius PHEV, which offers up the same fuel ratings. However, in its segment the Fusion is up against the likes of the brand new Honda Accord PHEV and the Kia Optima Hybrid. However, it seems to stand alone in terms of “the complete package” with great styling, drivability, practicality and great fuel efficiency.
Slowly, but surely, I'm warming up to the idea of hybrid-drive living. After many hours behind the wheels of vehicles such as the Prius c, Chevy Volt and even the Nissan LEAF, I've come to appreciate them quite a bit.
Now, after a week with the 2013 Ford Fusion Energi, I'm once again singing the praises of a hybrid vehicle. It's amazing what a little evolution, and a good design package, can do for one's opinion.
 |
What is a Ford Fusion Energi?
While definitely not the first hybrid Fusion to hit the streets, the 2013 Ford Fusion Energi is one of two plug-in hybrids from Ford. The Energi promises a 1,000km total range (gas and battery combined), with an MPG-e rating of 2.4L/100km (in full electric mode), and it's combined gas/electric rating is 4.1L/100km.
Sitting squarely in the midsize sedan segment, the Ford Fusion Energi offers up good looks, plenty of space and rather outstanding fuel efficiency numbers; something much of its competition has yet to do.
 |
| While definitely not the first hybrid Fusion to hit the streets, the 2013 Ford Fusion Energi is one of two plug-in hybrids from Ford. (Photo: Ford) |
Technicalities
The base 2013 Ford Fusion model starts at $24,149 while the top tier Titanium tops out at just over $35k. Amidst the now five available Fusion models, there are four engines and two drive types (FWD or AWD), as well as both a 6-speed manual and 6-speed automatic, and an available E-CVT.
To save space and headaches with endless numbers, let's focus on the 2013 Ford Fusion Energi SE: With a starting price just under $39k, it sits at the top of the Fusion price bracket.
The engine in the Energi is a 2.0L Atkinson-Cycle I4 good for a combined 195 horses, coupled with an Electronic Continuously Variable (e-CVT) transmission. On a full charge, the 2013 Ford Fusion Energi could potentially take you up to 34km in battery mode alone; however, much depends on driving style and other influencers along the way.
 |
| On a full charge, the 2013 Ford Fusion Energi could potentially take you up to 34km in battery mode alone; however, much depends on driving style and other influencers along the way. (Photo: Ford) |
Driving the Ford Fusion Energi
The 2013 Ford Fusion Energi was as big to drive as it looked -- with a dash that seemed to stretch on forever before me and a nose I felt was much too long -- it was also quite nimble to pilot.
Thanks to the e-CVT, in full EV mode the power delivery is smooth and silky... and silent. It's a strange thing driving a battery-powered vehicle, I was constantly sneaking up on people everywhere.
Of course, the 2.0L will kick on if you push the throttle to the floor hard enough (read: for passing manoeuvres on the highway). However, once the vehicle realizes you're done being a yahoo (and travelling under 137km, which you should be!) the gas engine will flick off and you'll be back in battery mode, provided you have the charge.
The 2013 Ford Fusion Energi features Ford's cute little “Efficiency Leaves” in the gauge cluster and it became a game; how many leaves could I get into that little screen? Every time one floated away, I felt quite defeated.
How efficient was the 2013 Ford Fusion Energi? Well, very. I travel close to 100km a day to and from work. The max range I was able to pull from the Energi in full battery mode, with regen kms added, was 39.1km -- not bad. After eight days of driving in all conditions (city/highway/traffic/country roads/hot/cold) for a total close to the 900km mark, I managed an overall average of 3.1L/100km and the highest battery range I managed after a charge was 33km. I used just over a ½ tank of gas.
 |
| The 2013 Ford Fusion Energi was as big to drive as it looked -- with a dash that seemed to stretch on forever before me and a nose I felt was much too long -- it was also quite nimble to pilot. (Photo: Ford) |
Inside and Out of the Ford Fusion Energi
The 2013 Ford Fusion Energi is a good looking sedan, truly. Parking it next to the previous generation is almost laughable. If we thought the old Fusion was nice to look at, the new Fusion is a super model by comparison.
Inside, the good looks continue. Large, comfortable seats up front and in the rear ensure the Ford Fusion Energi is accommodating to all who enter. Add in Ford's SYNC system, an easy-to-understand and operate gauge cluster and there's very little not to like.
Of note, the trunk in the 2013 Ford Fusion Energi is, in a word: useless. At just 232 litres (8.2 cu-ft) it's not exactly practical. Why so small? The battery is back there.
 |
| The 2013 Ford Fusion Energi is a good looking sedan, truly. Parking it next to the previous generation is almost laughable. (Photo: Ford) |
Comparing the Ford Fusion Energi
Based on fuel efficiency numbers, the 2013 Ford Fusion Energi's main competition is the Toyota Prius PHEV, which offers up the same fuel ratings. However, in its segment the Fusion is up against the likes of the brand new Honda Accord PHEV and the Kia Optima Hybrid. However, it seems to stand alone in terms of “the complete package” with great styling, drivability, practicality and great fuel efficiency.