The 2014 Fusion has four engine options, starting with a somewhat dull naturally aspirated 2.5L inline-four. Upper trims showcase three turbocharged options: 1.5L (automatic only), 1.6L, and 240-hp 2.0L, which gets high marks for being fun to drive.
Key Points
- The 2014 Ford Fusion offers four inline-four-cylinder engines, all but the base engine are turbocharged for better performance.
- S and SE trims come equipped with a naturally aspirated 2.5L that’s good for a combined 26 mpg. Power is lacking, at just 175 hp.
- The 1.6L engine is only available with a six-speed manual but features the best gas mileage with a combined 29 mpg. The similarly-designed 1.5L isn’t far behind at 28 mpg.
- If your sole concern is maximum mpgs the Ford Fusion Hybrid pairs a 2.0L to a CVT and a lithium-ion battery to deliver 42-mpg combined.
- Unique to the Titanium trim, a 240-hp 2.0L engine is the most exciting, propelling the four-door sedan from 0-60 in 6.6 seconds.
2014 Fusion’s Entry-level 2.5L Engine Performs Evenly in All Areas and Offers Great Reliability
Available on the S and SE trim levels is a 2.5L four-cylinder naturally aspirated engine that produces 175 hp and 175 lb.-ft. of torque. The engine is only available with a six-speed automatic and front-wheel drive. A combined 26 mpg makes this engine average among rivals, while a class leader like the Honda Accord can reach 29 when equipped with its base motor.
Designed in conjunction with Mazda, the 2.5L engine might be slightly underpowered, but it’s extremely reliable.
1.5L and 1.6L Engine Options Provide 2014 Fusion More Power and Efficiency but Also Bring More Problems
We’ll start with the 1.6L I4, which provides similar numbers to the 1.5L, but is only available with a six-speed manual. Pumping out 178 hp and 184 lb.-ft. of torque, the 1.6L is the most efficient engine choice for the 2014 Ford Fusion, with a combined 29 mpg.
The 1.5L is automatic-only but provides similar power figures, with 178 hp and 177 lb.-ft. of torque. It achieves just one less mile per gallon than the 1.6L, with a combined 28 mpg. It’s also just 0.1 seconds slower to 60 mph, reaching the mark in 8.2 seconds vs. 8.1.
Despite the performance advantage, there are some issues with the 1.6L. The NHTSA recalled the engine due to the potential for cylinders to overheat and crack because of low coolant. A majority of customer complaints focus on this issue, and it’s imperative that you have the engine looked over before purchasing a Fusion.
Since the 1.5L is an updated design on the 1.6L, the recall does not include that engine. Unless you must have a manual transmission or need that extra one mpg, we suggest steering clear of the 1.6L.
2014 Ford Fusion Titanium with 2.0L Engine Delivers the Most Power, Turns the Model into a True Sports Sedan
Fusions equipped with the Titanium package get a 2.0L turbocharged inline-four with 240 hp and 270 lb.-ft. of torque. To help put this power down, the Titanium can add on all-wheel-drive to its six-speed automatic. Doing so provides prodigious thrust, with a 0-60 time of 6.6 seconds.
While some competitors like the Honda Accord get a V6 for their higher trims, Ford chose the 2.0L turbo for increased efficiency. The result means a two mpg combined advantage over the Accord (26 mpg vs. 24).
The 2.0L is considered reliable, but cracking exhaust manifolds and failing turbos have been noted. There is an ongoing lawsuit against Ford that references all the EcoBoost engines in the Fusion, including the 2.0L unit, in regard to low coolant levels. However, nothing here should give you pause if you’re considering a 2014 Ford Fusion Titanium.
2014 Fusion’s Hybrid Powertrain Provides a Clear Alternative to the 1.5L Engine
If you want the option of more fuel economy, the Fusion Hybrid might be the way to go. It combines a 2.0L I4 with a lithium-ion battery pack through a CVT, good for 188 hp. With 42 mpg combined, it provides the power of the 1.5L engine with a greater range. That CVT might sap some driving pleasure, but it lags just .2 seconds behind the conventional model.
Overall, the 2014 Fusion’s 1.5L and 2.0L Turbo Engines Offer the Best Mix of Performance and Reliability
It’s fair to say that the engine in a car provides a majority of the personality, and it holds true with the Fusion. You can have a run-of-the-mill family sedan, an efficient go-getter, or a car that borders on sports car-like performance.
Overall, the base 2.5L I4 doesn’t offer a memorable experience. Consider avoiding any Fusion equipped with the 1.6L; the potential for problems, even after fixing the recall, is too great.
That leaves the 1.5L, which turns the Fusion into a reasonable sedan that you shouldn’t dread getting into each day, and the 2.0L turbo, which offers the most enjoyable experience. It offers genuine fun behind the wheel while only losing two mpg to the 1.5L, along with superb reliability. That makes it a win-win, and hard to pass up.
Photos: Ford
