There are currently three different versions of the Ford Fusion midsize sedan, which are the regular gas-powered version, the Fusion Hybrid and the Fusion Energi. The 2018 Fusion Energi is a hybrid, but it's also a plug-in hybrid. That means that in addition to operating with the combination of an electric motor in the same way as the Fusion Hybrid, the Fusion Energi has a larger battery that can be plugged in and charged. Once charged, the car can run on electric power only for a limited range below a certain speed. But in most other ways, the Fusion Energi is just like any other Ford Fusion, which means it's an incredibly stylish, desirable, and capable midsize sedan.

A 2.0-liter inline-four gas-powered internal combustion engine is paired to a two-motor hybrid system that operates in place of a traditional transmission in the 2018 Ford Fusion Energi. A lithium-ion battery pack is located in the trunk for powering the electric motor, but in the Fusion Energi the battery pack is a large 7.6 kWh unit, compared to the much smaller 1.4 kWh offering in the Fusion Hybrid.

The Fusion Energi can be run on electric-only for up to 22 miles before the battery is depleted and the gasoline engine kicks in. But if you are driving in hybrid mode, the electric motor and gas engine work together to deliver an excellent combination of performance and economy. In hybrid mode the Fusion Energi gets 42 mpg on the highway, and in electric model delivers 97 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) rating.

One of the best things about the Fusion Energi, apart from its excellent fuel economy, is the fact there is a choice of versions for buyers to select from. It's not unusual for manufacturers of hybrids and plug-in hybrids to offer just one high-spec hybrid version of an existing model, but Ford gives buyers the choice of three trim levels. The entry model is the SE, the Titanium is the mid-range model, and the Platinum is the all-singing, all-dancing version of the Fusion Energi.

The performance of all three is identical as they all share the same powertrain, but what they offer in terms of features and equipment varies according to their price and place in the range. There's not a great deal of difference between the SE and Titanium as the Titanium only costs a thousand dollars more than the entry model, so we'd recommend the Platinum as it boasts luxury car levels of standard options for not a great deal more money than the Titanium.

The Ford Fusion isn't available with all-wheel drive in either its Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid forms, so front-wheel drive is what you have. All-wheel drive is actually only available with the Fusion V-6 Sport.