Car Rental Review: 2014 Ford Fusion Titanium

National's 2014 Ford Fusion Titanium

• Rented From: Las Vegas (McCarran International Airport) - Executive Selection
• Car Class: Full Size (FCAR)
• Miles Out: 3
• Miles In: 266
• Fuel Economy: 22 city/33 highway with 2.0L EcoBoost turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and 6 speed automatic
• MSRP as rented: $30,600

Pros:

• Nicely equipped with all of my favorite features: Push button start, aluminum pedals, 12-speaker Sony stereo, MyFordTouch, heated power leather seats, etc.
• Only had 3 miles on the odometer...still had that new car smell.
• Had a working SiriusXM subscription.
• Great fuel economy with peppy acceleration.
• Paid mid-size rate of $36.00 a day...definitely one of the best values for your rental dollar!

Cons:

• Not enough Titaniums in rental fleets.
• Would've loved a sunroof to top off the package.
• Needs premium fuel to get the best fuel economy numbers from the EcoBoost engine.

Having rented a Fusion SE Luxury last year, I was excited to have the opportunity to rent an almost-fully-loaded Fusion Titanium while on a trip to Las Vegas earlier this year. As an Executive member of the Emerald Club, I get to use what's called the "Executive Selection" part of the garage at the rental car center. Cars here are usually Full-Size and higher, and are usually nicer trimmed variants. They had two Titaniums in the row, and I picked this one that was brand new with only 3 miles on the clock. Registration paperwork indicated that it had just been tagged three days before.

As I entered this Orange-ish (Ford calls the color "Bronze Fire") Fusion, it's plush charcoal black leather interior greeted me, and ambient lighting accented the cupholder area, foot well, and door handle areas. Aluminum accented pedals are a Titanium standard feature, and help give the interior a sporty look.

This particular Fusion was pretty much fully loaded, except for a moonroof, navigation, and other driver assistance features that are available as part of various option packages. Standard features on the Titanium trim include a 12 speaker Sony audio system with HD Radio & SiriusXM, Sync with MyFordTouch 2.0, customizable SmartGauge, paddle shifters, leather seating with fully wrapped steering wheel and shift lever, rear parking sensors and backup camera, 10-way heated power front seats with driver's lumbar support and 3 position memory, heated mirrors with integrated blind spot mirrors and turn signal blinkers, Intelligent Access with push-button ignition, remote start, and dual zone automatic climate control. Exterior features that distinguish the Titanium from other trims include chromed dual exhaust, a decklid spoiler, and 18 inch machined aluminum wheels.

The vehicle was a joy to drive. The EcoBoost engine provides awesome acceleration, allowing me to merge into highway traffic with ease. Turbo lag was minimal. Fuel economy was pretty decent - with averages in the high-20's with regular gas. EcoBoost engines do get better gas mileage with Premium fuel, so that's something to keep in mind. Race-inspired paddle shifters give the driver the opportunity to control the 6 speed transmission manually, and the transmission also offers a "Sport" mode for a slightly more exciting ride.

For the rate I paid - which was around $36 a day - this is probably one of the best rental values out there, that is, if you can find one. Lesser trimmed SE's are staples in rental fleets, while Titaniums are sometimes a rare find. With National, Titaniums are usually found in the Executive Selection. 

I'll be back in Las Vegas in two weeks...I certainly would not snagging another one of these. Fingers crossed!