Her and His Reviews
November 2014
2014 Ford SE Fusion Hybrid
There are always two sides to everything, right? Well, the truth is there are many more than that!
To keep our car reviews innovative and well-rounded, we are providing you with not just one, but two points of view on the same exact vehicle –
Her and His perspectives.
Her: Anne Fleming, Car Buying Advocate,women-drivers.com
His: Don Hammonds, Writer, AutomobileJournal.com
| HER | HIS |
|---|---|
| Price | |
| $35,555 | $35,555. |
| Performance | |
| Ford has done a remarkable job with the SE Fusion Hybrid, by providing this vehicle with ample power fueled by a 2.0 liter 4 cylinder engine and electric motor with continuously variable transmission (CVT) -- which combine to create 188 horses. Yet the car transitions seamlessly and smoothly between gas and electric - and the cabin is quiet as a church mouse. Handling is very responsive. This ranks as a 'best buy' by most test drivers, we take no exception tot hat claim. In fact, with the kick in this car and its overall performance, we quick concur. | 188 horsepower 2.0 liter engine plus an electrical generator. Moves briskly and quickly on the road--no worries here. |
| Fuel Economy | |
| 44 Highway miles/41 City Miles Ford took initiative with the EPA to lower the fuel ratings from 47/47 respectively. Either way the Fusion gets one of the best fuel ratings in its class. | The mileage on the hybrid Fusion is outta sight. We got almost 60 thumpin' miles a gallon on ours in combined city and highway driving. And don't ask us how. We honestly don't know. When we stopped the car at our door, our jaws dropped when we saw the informative gauge - and we're pretty certain we will get a call from Ford asking how we did. Again, we don't know! All we know is that we drove with the cruise control system engaged, and our trip, as we recall was about an hour each way. That's it. For the record, 47 miles on the record. |
| The Car | |
| This top seller for 2014 is an exceptional value. While our model was loaded at $35.5 expect to pay between $27K and $31K, below the price of the average car in 2014. Yet, the bold design from the grill to the back is complimented by an increased overall size that makes it a perfect family car frontrunner. Sizable trunk and a pass through in the rear seating allows for plenty of cargo. Oh, and did we mention the 60-40 split on the rear seats allowing for more room, yet? Further, the vehicle's beefed up 18" wheels in our upgrade give it even more appeal and stance. Thought not a lot of contenders in the mid-sized hybrid sedan class, this vehicle stands as an easy top choice. Feature v feature, take the compare test for yourself. | I will just get to the point: Nobody---I repeat, nobody-not even the redone 2015 Hyundai Sonata, which is getting "meh" ratings to "nice, but not as fun as the previous model" reviews from car writers---can touch Ford's Fusion, and especially its Hybrid model in the mid-sized family car segment. It really is a luxury car at a more modest price, even in its most basic of models, and it drives and handles far sportier than just about any of it competitors. The styling is bold, rugged, and athletic looking, and should hold well over the years, the Fusion has more advanced technology in its content than anybody else in the segment, and for that reason, it is THE family car of the future. As for the other brands, they may as well go home and start over. It's that simple. Sorry, competitors! |
| Safety | |
| This car has it all including 8 airbags and a post-alarm crash system that both honks the horn and flashes the lights in the event of an accident. Smart car - smart technology and safety. Further safety features include Blind spot monitoring, Cross traffic alert, Lane departure warning with lane keeping assist, 4 disc brakes, Active park assist, Cruise control, and one of our favorites --- automatic high beams. | Has everything you could possibly need including airbags, protection features and advanced warning systems. |
| Technology | |
| The technology features astound. 12 speaker Sony audio system, CD audio system, HD radio, Sirius satellite radio plays all your favorite stations and tunes, Auxiliary audio jack, Bluetooth audio and phone connectivity, "911 Assist" reads incoming text messages over the speakers while driving. That and MyFord touch screen infotainment system which includes the Nav, are still awkward to use. We highly suggest the Tech experts at each Ford dealership spend at least 30 minutes with each buyer reviewing it. Have classes and a cheat sheet (who reads the owners manual?) to help drivers "get it". We love the remote start for the lower temp times of the year, and the rain-sensing windshield wipers are a must today. |
Standard equipment was generous, including automatic halogen headlights, easy fuel capless filter, bright exhaust tips, keyless entry, 60-40 split fold rear seat, center console with armrest, dual zone automatic climate control, tilt steering wheel with cruise and audio controls, power steering, brakes and seats, hill start assist, global open and close windows, My Key, power door locks, rear window defroster, Sirius satellite radio, four wheel disc brakes, all kinds of airbags including passenger and driver knee, dual stage front, mounted side impact, side air curtain and so forth. The 2014 Ford Fusion Hybrid is available in three trim levels: S, SE and Titanium: Standard equipment on the S includes 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, full power accessories, cruise control, dual-zone automatic climate control, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a trip computer, a 60/40-split fold-down rear seat, the voice-activated Sync audio/cell phone interface and a four-speaker sound system with a CD player, auxiliary audio jack and USB port/iPod interface. The SE adds color-keyed rocker moldings, heated mirrors, a keyless entry keypad, rear air vents, an eight-way power driver seat (with power lumbar), a rear seat center armrest and satellite radio. A few option packages are also available for the SE. The Appearance package adds 18-inch alloy wheels, a rear spoiler, foglights and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The Luxury package includes foglights, auto-dimming mirrors, leather upholstery, heated front seats, driver memory settings and a four-way power passenger seat. Opting for the Technology package equips the SE with the MyFord Touch electronics interface (with 8-inch touchscreen and two 4-inch configurable gauge cluster displays), an upgraded version okjf Sync, a rearview camera and a 110-volt power outlet. Eighteen-inch wheels and keyless ignition/entry are also optional. Springing for the top-of-the-line Titanium effectively gets you the SE's optional features listed above as standard as well as remote start, sport front seats and an upgraded Sony 12-speaker audio system (with HD radio). The Fusion Hybrid SE (with the Technology package selected) and Titanium can also be equipped with a navigation system, an automated parallel-parking system, a heated steering wheel and adaptive cruise control with collision warning system and brake intervention. Options on our tester included ruby red clearcoat paint, SE Hybrid technology/MyFord Touch package, rear view video camera, active park assist, through which the car can park itself automatically, adaptive cruise control, navigation, driver assist package, lane keeping system, BLIS/with cross traffic alert, and on and on. And of all those items help explain why this car is way ahead of the class on technology. Nobody else comes even close. |
| Aesthetics & Styling | |
| Overall very attractive, muscular vehicle on the outside; impressive grille can conceal it's a family favorite. The inside is clean, well laid out dash, with leather and comfortable seating. | Belle of the ball... nice looking, aerodynamic semi-fastback that looks like it should be on a race track and not a street. A bit heavy in the rear, but a very nice job overall by Ford. And yes, it is better looking than the whole rest of the mid sized field, and in a tie with the gorgeous new 2015 Chrysler 200, the other belle of the mid sized ball. |
| Warranty | |
| 3 years/ 36, 000 miles Powertrain; 5 year, 60,000 Drivetrain and Roadside Assistance. | 3 years/ 36, 000 miles powertrain; 5 year, 60,000 drivetrain and roadside. |
