STILL STRONG
The 2013 Fusion was the result of a strong and sleek redesign (a midsize vehicle with some personality, so to say), and offered a lot to like inside and under the hood too. It features a powerful ride for its class, and the same can be said about the 2014 update. The handling was another high point.
One minor adjustment from the previous year: Gone are the capacitive lighting buttons in the front, as many folks had complained about them being too sensitive. Physical buttons have returned and this is a good thing.
Technology/Safety features
The Fusion hybrid comes with the Sync system standard, and you can upgrade to MyFordTouch. (the upgrade will allow you to control more features of the vehicle by voice, and is something I’d recommend).
A new addition this year safetywise is inflatable seat belts, which can help during a collision.
And you continue to have the option of all the safety features you can shake a stick at, designed to do everything from keep you in your lane to warn you if someone is behind you.
MPG -- what really counts
This is really the nuts and bolts of everything right here:
The draw of a hybrid (outside of the environmental reasons) is keeping money in your pockets over the life of the vehicle by keeping you away from the gas station.
The official numbers on this Fusion hybrid are 47 mpg across the board (city/highway/combined). The hybrid option is available on all three trim levels of the Fusion (S, SE and Titanium), and there is an electric version -- the Fusion Energi -- available, too.
I got about 42 mpg during my time in the car, which is pretty good compared to most of the competition. This is a good Big 3 alternative to well-known hybrids like the Toyota Prius, and it looks more like a regular car too -- not a futuristic vibe like the Prius and other hybrids.
PRICE
I drove a 2014 Fusion SE hybrid, which starts about $27K. Not bad for a car that will save you a ton on gas.
With all the add-ons I had on the test vehicle (luxury package on interior/MyFordTouch/rear camera/Reverse Sensing system/Adaptive cruise control/Navigation/Lane Keeping System, etc.), the final price settled just north of $35K.
If you want a non-hybrid Fusion, you can get the base model for under $21K.
BOTTOM LINE
For families who want an attractive, powerful and safe ride but also demand high mpg, the 2014 Ford Fusion hybrid is one the best options they have if they’re looking for a domestic vehicle.
It’s got better gas mileage than some of the big foreign automakers in the hybrid category, plus an American nameplate. That should mean a big hit in these eco-friendly times when everyone is searching for the best fuel mileage.
