2020 Ford Fusion Energi Trim Levels with Comparisons & Configurations.
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The 2020 Ford Fusion Energi (which is often referred to as its sole trim level name, Titanium), is part of the remainder of Ford's sole remaining sedan. The Energi is a plug-in variant of the gas-powered Ford Fusion, which has a number of different variants.
In this trim level review of the Energi, we will take a look at those other variants and how they compare to the Energi Titanium Plug-In Hybrid. They are all a bit unique unto themselves and offer a little bit of something for everyone.
But which variant is really the best? Is the Energi going to be the right pick for you? Does it present the best deal and have the right features and specs? Read on through to the conclusion where we will declare which variant is the best and why the Energi might just be the right choice.
2020 Ford Fusion Energi Titanium Plug-In Hybrid vs Fusion S. What is the difference?
The Energi Titanium Plug-In Hybrid is cozy inside. It features a 10-way power-adjustable driver seat with power lumbar support and a front passenger seat that is 6-way power-adjustable. There are leather-trimmed Sport seats, and up front, they're both heated and ventilated. Dual-zone climate control comes standard, and there is a huge 12-speaker Sony audio system that accompanies the Sync 3 infotainment system. SiriusXM Radio and a voice-activated navigation system also come equipped.
As you might expect, there are a ton of creature comforts. The Energi has rain-sensing wipers, a heated steering wheel, SmartGauge, two 12-volt power outlets, and power door locks. Things get pretty luxurious with the leather-wrapped gear shift knob and steering wheel that is part of the tilt-and-telescoping power steering column. Active noise control ensures that the cabin stays quiet, and ambient interior lighting helps set the mood. A power moonroof is optional.
On the outside, the Energi's Titanium trim is decked out with full LED lighting, power-folding heated side mirrors with integrated turn indicators, a single exhaust tip in the rear, a rear decklid spoiler, and body-colored rocker molding. Optional features include a front license plate bracket and three different metallic paint options (Alto Blue, Rapid Red, and White Platinum).
So, what about everything under the hood? Well, you will find a 2.0-L hybrid engine and electric motor paired with an eCVT and lithium ion battery. There is a 120-volt convenience charge cord that comes with the vehicle. Also, this variant rides atop 17-inch aluminum wheels.
Finally, as far as standard safety features go, you will find that the Energi is loaded. These features include an SOS post-crash alert system, a rearview camera, a personal safety system, an individual tire pressure monitoring system, a perimeter alarm, and a keyless entry key fob.
You're probably wondering how the S differs from the Energi, aside from it being gas-powered. The S is powered by a 2.5-L engine and 6-speed automatic transmission. Its wheels are smaller, 16-inch steel wheels. As is the case with the Energi, front-wheel drive comes standard.
Inside, the cabin is fairly average for a base trim. There is a 6-way manually-adjustable driver's seat and 4-way power-adjustable front passenger seat. Climate control is manual, but you can opt to add the dual-zone automatic climate control system. A 4-speaker sound system with Sync (Sync 3 is optional) is equipped. Blind-spot monitoring does come standard, which is a huge bonus for drivers. MyKey and push button start are also part of the safety features list. Adaptive cruise control is an option.
The exterior is fairly basic as well, with body-colored door handles, bumpers, and power mirrors. The only LED lights are the taillights; the front has projector-beam halogens.
2020 Ford Fusion Energi vs Fusion SE. What is the difference?
The SE is basically an upgraded version of the S. Of course, it is still gas-only, but it gets better fuel efficiency than the S since it is given a 1.5-L EcoBoostengine. Intelligen all-wheel drive is optional if you don't want front-wheel drive. You can also opt for one of two 18-inch wheel types.
Inside the cabin, you will find the 10-way power-adjustable driver seat, but the front passenger seat is still just 4-way adjustable (but with power on the SE). Dual-zone automatic climate control is standard, as are Sync 3, a 6-speaker sound system, and SiriusXM pre-wiring. Navigation is optional.
The windshield wipers become rain-sensing, and there are both dome lamps and map lights. Pre-collision with pedestrian assist is a standard driver aid, as is lane keep assist.
The exterior has a reverse sensing system and comes with a chrome finish on the 5-bar front grille. A few more color options also get added to the mix. However, a lot of things remain the same.
2020 Ford Fusion Energi vs SEL. What is the difference?
The SEL is yet another step up in the gas-only variant line, and it has the same powertrain as the SE. The 18-inch aluminum wheels come standard on this trim, and the interior includes a number of upgrades as well. The front driver's seat gains memory functions, and the seats are upgraded to heated (in the front only) ActiveX. An 11-speaker sound system gets swapped in, and the HomeLink system is standard. You also gain Intelligent Access with the Remote Start System, which can certainly come in handy when you are in a rush.
The body looks pretty similar to the SE with a few exceptions. The front license plate bracket comes standard, and there are LED signature lighting and LED headlights.
2020 Ford Fusion Energi vs Titanium. What is the difference?
The gas-powered Titanium is obviously going to be the most similar to the Energi's Titanium trim in terms of features. The big, glaring difference is the standard Titanium's gas-only engine. It gets the 2.0-L EcoBoost, which drops its EPA rating a little bit. Inteliigent AWD is optional, but big 19-inch wheels are standard.
Inside the cabin, the front seats gain ventilation, and all of the seats are upholstered in some seriously chic leather. The Titanium has the same 12-speaker sound system from Sony, and navigation is built into the vehicle. Adaptive cruise control and ambient lighting are all par for the course here as well.
2020 Ford Fusion Energi vs Hybrid SE. What is the difference?
The Hybrid SE is essentially the SE with all of its features but with a 2.0-L hybrid engine and electric motor paired with the eCVT. Regenerative brakes are, of course, included here, as are the lithium ion battery and 17-inch wheels that you will find on the Energi's Titanium trim level. The voice-activated navigation system does come standard, which is quite nice if you do not want to use your smaprthone's navigation app.
Like with the Energi, the Hybrid SE has SmartGauge with the Eco Guide feature and the Eco Select button.
2020 Ford Fusion Energi vs Hybrid SEL. What is the difference?
Again, the Hybrid SEL is basically a hybrid version of the gas-powered SEL. This vehicle gets about 43 mpg in the city and 41 on the highway thanks to its hybrid powertrain (the 2.0-L hybrid engine and motor, lithium ion battery, and eCVT). It also has the 17-inch wheels typical for the Fusion hybrids.
Otherwise, you can expect to see all of the SEL's standard features included as well as the hybrid-related features like the Eco Select button and Smart Gauge.
2020 Ford Fusion Energi vs Hybrid Titanium. What is the difference?
Finally, we have the Hybrid Titanium. This is, of course, pretty similar to the Energi Titanium, but it has that one obvious difference; it is not a plug-in hybrid. So, what does it have then?
The Hybrid Titanium comes equipped with the 10-way power-adjustable driver seat, heated and cooled front seats, FordPass Connect, and the 12-speaker Sony sound system. It also has the leather-wrapped tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel with multiple controls mounted onto it and a heating function. There are dual illuminated vanity mirrors on the front visors, a bright front scuff plate, ambient interior lighting, and the HomeLink universal garage door opener.
Like the other Titaniums, this one has a full array of LED lighting on the outside. It also has the chrome mesh grille, power-heated side mirrors, and configurable daytime running lights.
Under the hood, you will find that the Hybrid Titanium has the same hybrid powertrain that powers the SE and SEL. However, it rides atop those fancier 18-inch premium-painted aluminum wheels. Otherwise, you can expect this vehicle to perform much like the other standard hybrids.
The plug-in Energi has 26 miles of electric-only power, and a Level 2 charger will get a totally drained battery charged back up in around 2.6 hours. Hybrid mode gets about 42 miles per gallon, which is pretty much in line with what you get on the Hybrid Titanium. Of course, the Hybrid Titanium just does not give you that extra 26 miles of EV.
Which Trim to Choose?
Now that you have an idea as to what comes on all types of the 2020 Ford Fusion, you can probably see why some people are choosing to buy the Energi Titanium Plug-In Hybrid. 26 extra miles on EV might not seem like much at first, but it will add up over time and help you spend less at the pump. Plug-ins and standard hybrids themselves are evolving technologies that have a long way to go before they can be "totally" green, but they are putting in some good effort.
Ford might be phasing their sedans out in favor of SUVs, but it is clear that buyers still enjoy the Ford Fusion. A lot of drivers switch over from other hybrid sedans that just have not stacked up to the Fusion. Ford really is trying to meet consumers' needs with the Fusion, and offering it in multiple hybrid forms is a smart move.
There are some owners who feel like the EV range is a bit higher as an estimate than it is in real-life. Some drivers think it might be closer to 22 EV miles. Also, you will want to skip the standard charger and get the Level 2, as it gets the job done much faster.
Also, drivers should bear in mind that the battery pack is massive and is placed so that it eats up a ton of cargo space. You only get 8.2 cubic feet of cargo space in the plug-in Energi, whereas you get 12 in the regular hybrid. For some people, this won't be an issue since the 60/40-split folding rear seats go down pretty flatly, but it will be an issue for others.
Overall, the Energi is part of a line-up with a lot of variety. Unfortunately, there are competitors out there who best it in many ways. Still, if you are going to go for a Fusion hybrid variant, the most fuel-efficient and therefore "greenest" option will be the 2020 Ford Fusion Energi. And with how many features you get on the Titanium, it makes for a rather nice deal.
