As the Ford Fusion mid-size sedan undergoes its obligatory mid-cycle refresh for the 2017 model year, so, too, does the Energi-badged plug-in hybrid model. Ford had previously alluded to some anticipated improvement in efficiency and range, but those increases were never quantified.
Now, they are, thanks to a report by website InsideEVs. Pure-electric driving range for the refreshed Ford Fusion Energi remains unchanged at 21 miles, but its combined gasoline fuel economy gets a substantial boost, from 38 mpg to 42. That’s an increase of more than 10 percent. Likewise, overall/blended fuel economy benefits tremendously, jumping up from 88 mpge to 97 – also more than 10 percent.
It’s important to note that the battery pack in the 2017 Ford Fusion Energi remains unchanged from the 7.6-kWh unit found in the outgoing car, hence the unchanged electric range. Instead, these increases in both gasoline and overall fuel economy are due to more efficient electric motors, and better-optimized powertrain software.
In addition to all of this, the new Ford Fusion Energi receives a decline in sticker price: by $780 for the SE model, and $1,610 for the Titanium, according to InsideEVs. Additionally, a new, top-spec “Platinum” trim level is available with a base price of $41,995, with standard Blind Spot monitoring, automatic high beams, Lane Keep Assist, rain-sensing wipers, premium leather seats, and even more goodies.
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