2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

*Est. $27,270

Reviewed May 2009

Excellent fuel economy
Smooth ride, good handling
Roomy, comfortable interior
Quality fit and finish
Available Ford Sync system
Top crash-test ratings

Price premium over nonhybrid models
Small trunk
Rear seat does not fold
Transmission is slow to respond

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Our Analysis

The first non-SUV full hybrid from an American automaker is the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid, a version of the extensively redesigned Fusion midsize family sedan. Reviewers are enthusiastic about the perceived high build quality and satisfying driving dynamics of the new Ford Fusion Hybrid. They say it's a roomy, comfortable sedan that sacrifices very little for its hybrid powertrain. Steering, handling, acceleration and drivability are pleasantly similar to the conventional gas-powered Ford Fusion models, while fuel economy is significantly higher: 41 mpg city and 36 mpg highway, according to Environmental Protection Agency estimates.

The Ford Fusion Hybrid's powertrain pairs a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder gas engine with an electric motor for a peak combined total of 191 horsepower. A significant drawback mentioned in several reviews is the price premium over the 175-horsepower, four-cylinder nonhybrid Ford Fusion sedan (*Est. $19,270 to $23,975), which the EPA rates at a respectable 23 mpg city and 34 mpg highway with an automatic transmission. Although some Fusion Hybrid test drivers achieved slightly lower gas mileage than EPA estimates, most predict that owners will easily average between 35 and 40 mpg in normal driving. That's not as fuel efficient as the 2009 Toyota Prius (*Est. $22,000 to $24,270) or 2010 Prius (*Est. $22,000 to $27,270), but it beats the 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid (*Est. $26,150) in most test reports. And reviewers are consistent in their praise for the Fusion's superior driving qualities over all of the Toyota hybrid cars. Automobile Magazine's Joe Lorio calls the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid "a compelling combination of exceptional economy, acceptable performance and a high degree of livability."

The Fusion Hybrid also earns high marks for its standard safety equipment: six airbags, antilock braking system, electronic stability control, traction control and available backup camera and Blind Spot Information System. All 2010 Ford Fusion family sedans earn the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's Top Safety Pick award.

Critics like the smoothness with which the Ford Fusion Hybrid transitions between electric propulsion and gas-powered mode. USA Today's James Healey describes it as "an already very good midsize sedan with the industry's smoothest, best-integrated gas-electric power system." Remarkably, Ford's hybrid family sedan can run on pure electric power up to 47 mph, albeit with the driver keeping a feather-light touch throttle. While reviewers say that is difficult to accomplish, they note the Fusion Hybrid generally enters and stays in fuel-saving electric mode longer and more frequently than most other full-hybrid cars. Like most other hybrid sedans, the Ford Fusion Hybrid loses its rear seat's ability to fold down due to its on-board battery pack, which also reduces available trunk space to 11.8 cubic feet, versus the nonhybrid's 16.5 cubic feet of luggage capacity. The Fusion Hybrid's unique gauge cluster includes useful color displays on both sides of the speedometer that monitor the operator's driving behavior and encourage more fuel-efficient driving techniques. For example, animated vines grow on the display the more efficiently you drive. Reviewers say there is a busy-looking cluster of buttons arranged on the dashboard's center stack, but the design is sufficiently functional and attractive. The Ford Sync hard-drive entertainment and hands-free communication system is a highly recommended option, according to reviewers.

Car and Driver ranks four midsize hybrid sedans in a comprehensive comparison test and the Fusion comes out on top. Edmunds.com has an excellent single-car evaluation with plenty of driving impressions. Motor Trend discusses the Fusion Hybrid and Toyota Camry Hybrid in useful detail, with an emphasis on their respective technology, but does not rank one over the other. Another Motor Trend article contrasts fuel economy of the Fusion Hybrid and Nissan Altima Hybrid. Trustworthy road-test reviews can be found in USA Today, Automobile Magazine and Left Lane News, each with valuable opinions from behind the wheel. ConsumerGuide.com and NewCarTestDrive.com have reviews that cover all Ford Fusion models, with hybrid-specific details. The Wall Street Journal highlights the Fusion Hybrid in an article that also includes discussion about the current hybrid-car market.

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2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

Our Sources

1. Car and Driver Details/Subscribe

Car and Driver's typically thorough comparison test pits four midsize hybrid sedans against each other. The 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid beats each of the others for its "superb quality," well-planted suspension and enjoyable driving character. The Fusion gets the best fuel economy during the test, averaging 34 mpg. Drawbacks include a "loose-feeling" continuously variable transmission (CVT) and a "growling" engine.

Review: 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid vs. Camry Hybrid, Altima Hybrid and Malibu Hybrid, Patrick Bedard, Feb. 2009

2. Edmunds.com

In this full road test, Edmunds.com's Daniel Pund calls the Ford Fusion Hybrid "probably the best driving hybrid sedan on the market." Pund makes some comparisons between the Fusion Hybrid and the conventionally-powered Fusion family sedan, as well as the Toyota Camry Hybrid. In a 177.9-mile suburban driving loop, the Ford Fusion Hybrid averaged 35.7 mpg while a Camry Hybrid returned 41.8 mpg and a 2009 Toyota Prius hatchback scored 51.9 mpg.

Review: 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid Full Test, Daniel Pund, Jan. 14, 2009

3. Motor Trend Details/Subscribe

This article is more of a discussion about the technology and driving characteristics of the Ford Fusion Hybrid and the Toyota Camry Hybrid, rather than a ranking of which is superior to the other. Motor Trend achieves an average of only 33.5 mpg in mixed driving with the new Fusion, lower than its EPA estimates. The Camry produces similar fuel-economy numbers, matching its EPA figures. The review praises the Ford Fusion Hybrid for its superior driving dynamics over the Camry, however.

Review: Comparison: 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid vs. 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid, Kim Reynolds, Jan. 2009

4. USA Today Magazine

USA Today auto critic James Healey says the Fusion Hybrid improves on the already-good conventionally powered Fusion thanks to its excellent hybrid drivetrain. He also likes the interior's "premium look and feel." While he admits that the Toyota Prius is priced lower and gets better fuel economy, he says the Fusion's driving feel is superior.

Review: Test Drive: 2010 Ford Fusion is Best Gas-Electric Hybrid Yet, James R. Healey, Feb. 6, 2009

5. ConsumerGuide.com

ConsumerGuide.com test drives several versions of the new 2010 Ford Fusion family sedan, including the hybrid. Acceleration from the "exceptionally smooth powertrain" is called "sufficient," although the hybrid car's CVT is sometimes slow to respond. Ride and handling are listed as strong points.

Review: 2010 Ford Fusion: Road Test, Editors of ConsumerGuide.com

6. Automobile Magazine Details/Subscribe

Automobile Magazine's Joe Lorio gives a good descriptive review of the Fusion Hybrid, along with mentions of several competitors. He is impressed with the Fusion Hybrid, and although it's priced higher than the Toyota Camry Hybrid, Lorio says the Fusion is a better car.

Review: Green: 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid, Joe Lorio, Dec. 16, 2008

7. Motor Trend Details/Subscribe

In an extensive and detailed blog entry, Motor Trend technical editor Frank Markus discusses driving the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid and Nissan Altima Hybrid in a fuel-economy run around cold and snowy Detroit. After driving identical routes, the Fusion averaged 45.6 mpg versus the Altima's 43.7 mpg.

Review: Cold-Weather Hybrid MPG Test: Ford Fusion Hybrid vs. Nissan Altima Hybrid, Frank Markus, Jan. 9, 2009

8. The Wall Street Journal

The Wall Street Journal's Joseph White discusses the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid family sedan along with some observations on the hybrid-car market in general. During test driving, White got a wide variation in fuel consumption and explains that gas mileage can improve with some education and conscientious driving techniques.

Review: Ford Hopes Fusion Hybrid Can Help Remake Brand, Joseph B. White, Jan. 5, 2009

9. LeftLaneNews.com

This balanced road-test review provides driving impressions and technical detail. Writer Andrew Ganz likes the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid sedan's interior and concludes that the ecologically themed family car "is a no-compromises, high-efficiency sedan that looks and feels just like its gas-only brothers."

Review: 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid, Andrew Ganz, Dec. 23, 2008

10. New Car Test Drive

Although this lengthy evaluation covers all Ford Fusion models, it includes hybrid-specific driving impressions and details. Writer Ted West says the Fusion Hybrid's power delivery is "smooth and progressive, exhibiting none of the artificially sudden throttle response of its Asian competitors." The ride is "smooth and pleasing," and handling is called "exemplary." Like many reviews we find at NewCarTestDrive.com, this one is short on criticism.

Review: 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid -- All-New Midsize Sedan Offers World-Class Fuel Mileage, Ted West