The official party line is that the impetus for the recent downsizing of the Fusion to 1.5 litres from 1.6 is to provide superior fuel economy without diminishing the performance that Canadians expect from their family sedans. And initially, Ford‘s numbers backed up that boast, the first missive regarding the little 1.5-litre Ecoboost showing it pumping out the same 178 peak horsepower as the 1.6. And, even if the littler litre was a few pounds-feet short in the torque department, it was small sacrifice in return for the promised fuel economy gains.
Or not.
The latest missives from the Blue Oval reveal that the smaller four-banger achieves exactly the same mileage — 23/36 US miles per gallon — in EPA testing as the 1.6L it replaces. Closer to home, the numbers are actually (oh so very slightly) worse, the 1.5L matching the 1.6′s 5.5 L/100 km highway consumption but consuming 0.1 L/km more than last year’s 1.6L with the same six-speed automatic. Confusing things even more is that Ford of Canada still offers the 1.6L in the manual-transmissioned Fusion which, thanks to the superior efficiency of its manual clutch, boasts significantly better urban fuel economy than the slushboxed 1.5L.
First drive: 2014 Ford Fiesta with EcoBoost
So, why-oh-why all the re-engineering if the end result nets no gain?
Well, it turns out it’s not about us. The ever-expanding Chinese market has a significant tax break at the 1.5-litre mark and the savings of the equivalent of $300 is seen as a boon to local sales. And with Ford pumping out 70,000 Ecoboosted engines a month, maximizing commonality reduces production costs. Quite why we are continuing to get the 1.6L in manual Fusions, however, is anyone’s guess; the best I can come up with is that the Chinese don’t buy many manual-equipped sedans and so it wasn’t worth the re-engineering.
There is some good news beyond this seeming subterfuge. Despite being seven pound-feet down on the 1.6L, the 1.5′s maximum torque peaks earlier — 1,500 rpm — and remains constant all the way to 4,500 rpm. It makes the latest Ecoboosted four feel punchier than the 1.6L, despite its smaller displacement.
The smaller engine also seems to generate less noise, vibration and harshness. Indeed, the 1.5 is a sweeter-sounding engine than the 1.6, sounding sporty rather than pedestrian, though I’m not sure how many shopping mid-priced family sedans will notice. Or care. Nonetheless, little tricks like having the exhaust manifold cast right into the block do offer advantages and the 1.5L is superior to the 1.6 in its comportment.
The six-speed automatic, meanwhile, is either smooth or unresponsive, depending on your attitude. Some of my passengers found its lethargic changing of gears less abrupt and appreciated the civility which, along with the smoother engine, makes for sophistication beyond this segment.
The Fusion’s smaller, 1.5L Ecoboost engine seems to generate less noise, vibration and harshness compared to the 1.6L engine. Indeed, the 1.5 is a sweeter-sounding engine than the 1.6.
David Booth, Driving
Others, like Yours Truly for instance, will find the shifts simply too long. Indeed, for a while I was convinced Ford had snuck a continuously variable trannie (CVT) under the hood without my being alerted. This is the closest a “mechanical” transmission comes to that “rubber band” feeling of constant rpm while accelerating that is indigenous to CVTs. Again, evaluating the transmission’s performance will be a matter of personal preference.
As for the big question — are there any real world fuel economy advantages to the smaller engine — I have no definitive answers. The 10.9 L/100 km I averaged overall in commuting through Toronto’s city streets and highways was not significantly better than previous Ecoboosted Fusions I have tested (indeed, the 50% more it consumes than its 7.3 L/100 km rating is almost exactly in line with previous Ecoboosted Fords I’ve tested). But those tests were in the heat of summer with no prolonged warming up schedule and slushy roads to cause fuel-consuming drag. A definitive answer will have to wait, though I suspect any advantage of the reduced displacement will be miniscule if any at all.
Questions of real-world fuel economy aside, the Fusion has a lot to offer. Many claim that it’s the prettiest four-door sedan in the segment and, with its Aston Martin influenced grille, it’s hard to argue. There’s room to spare in the back seat, the interior décor is equal to anything in the class and even the much-derided Sync infotainment system is not nearly as dastardly as the blogosphere contends. The Fusion, for those with deep enough pockets, can be very well equipped, with the rear view camera a very worthwhile addition and the remote starter — enviroweenies be damned when it’s 20 below — most welcome during the winter months.
Performance, always a strong suit for Ford’s Ecoboosted fours, is not diminished by the reduction in displacement. As previously noted, the engine is smoother and the added punch down low that the official power figures promised is noticeable. And indeed, with better-than-average handling and communicative steering, it all makes for a car that, if sold as a sports sedan, should be at the top — if not the top — of its segment.
The problem is that Ford is selling Ecoboost, and the Fusion it powers, as a miserly, fuel-sipping alternative designed to combat the high price of gasoline. I don’t see nearly as much evidence of that.
2014 Ford Fusion 1.5-litre FWD
David Booth, Driving
The Specs
Type of vehicle Front-wheel-drive, compact sedan
Engine 1.5L DOHC turbocharged I4
Power 178 hp @ 6,000 rpm; 177 lb-ft of torque @ 1,500 to 4,500 rpm
Transmission Six-speed automatic
Brakes Four-wheel disc with ABS
Tires 235/45R18
Price (base/as tested) $27,599
Natural Resources Canada fuel economy (L/100 km) 8.8 city, 5.5 highway
Standard features Power door locks, windows and mirrors, manual climate control air conditioning with micron air filter, AM/FM/CD/MP3 player with six speakers, Sirius satellite radio, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, DVD navigation system, MyKey personalized security system, cruise control, power glass sunroof, Sync information display, tilt and telescoping steering wheel, intermittent speed sensitive wipers, leather seats, EasyFuel capless refuel filler system, 10-way power driver seat, heated and ventilated front seats, auto headlights, dual front air bags, dual front knee air bags, dual front side air bags, side curtain air bags, rear view camera, AdvanceTrac Electronic Stability Torque Vectoring Control, Tire Pressure Monitoring system
