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2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid

Base MSRP: $28,775

Reviewed

June 2012

by ConsumerSearch

Pros

Excellent fuel economy
Overall quality feel
Roomy and comfortable
Neat in-car tech
Good ride and handling
Predicted reliability

Cons

Government frontal crash score
Not as quick or fuel-efficient as Toyota Camry Hybrid
Less trunk space than non-hybrid Fusion
Rear seats don't fold
Some confusing controls

Where to Buy

Free Price Quote for 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid

Our Analysis
Specs

The 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid (Base MSRP: $28,775), once the top-rated midsize hybrid sedan, loses that crown this year to the quicker, more fuel-efficient, more crash-safe, less expensive 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid (Base MSRP: $25,990 to $27,500).

In its last year before a full redesign, the 2012 Fusion Hybrid sees no real changes. Its main strength -- its ability to behave just like a conventionally powered midsize sedan -- is now bested by the Camry Hybrid, which sprints to 60 mph more than a second faster than the Fusion Hybrid in Edmunds.com's tests and still returns 2 mpg better overall fuel economy.

The Camry Hybrid also protects occupants better in a crash than the Fusion Hybrid, according to government crash tests. The Fusion Hybrid's 3-star federal frontal crash rating is the worst of any hybrid car in our report, although the Fusion Hybrid does earn the highest rating of Good in different crash tests at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

EPA Fuel Economy Estimates

City: 41 mpg

Highway: 36 mpg

Combined: 39 mpg

NHTSA Safety Ratings

Front Impact: 3 stars

Side Impact: 4 stars

Rollover Resistance: 4 stars

Overall: 4 stars

IIHS Safety Ratings

Front Offset Impact: Good

Side Impact: Good

Rear Impact: Good

Roof Strength: Good

Named 2012 Top Safety Pick

For additional details, see our review of the 2010 model

The Ford Fusion Hybrid has seen no significant changes since 2010. For full details and an analysis of what experts think of this hybrid car, please see our report on the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid.

Where To Buy

Free Price Quote for 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid

Our Sources

1. ConsumerReports.org

Editors of ConsumerReports.org test the Ford Fusion Hybrid, and they use many criteria to compare it to other sedans. Particularly useful are the reliability predictions and owner satisfaction data. ConsumerReports.org is premium content, and a subscription is required to see most articles.

Review: Ford Fusion Hybrid, Editors of ConsumerReports.org

2. Edmunds.com

Editors here name the 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid to their list of top recommended hybrids. They enjoy the combination of fun driving dynamics with the smooth hybrid powertrain.

Review: 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid, Editors of Edmunds.com, Updated June 29, 2011

3. IIHS.org

The 2012 Fusion (including the hybrid) receives the IIHS Top Safety Pick designation, meaning it scores the highest rating of Good in all four crash test scenarios: frontal offset, side, rear and roof strength.

Review: Ford Fusion, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

4. SaferCar.gov

The 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid (unchanged for 2012) gets an overall safety rating of 4 stars out of a possible 5 from the NHTSA. Side crash protection and rollover resistance are given 4 stars out of 5, while frontal crash protection is given 3 stars out of 5.

Review: 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

5. FuelEconomy.gov

The 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid gets 39 mpg in combined driving, according to the EPA. A couple other family-size hybrids do better: the 41-mpg Toyota Camry Hybrid and 42-mpg Toyota Prius v wagon. The smaller 2012 Toyota Prius gets even better mileage, though, at 50 mpg combined.

Review: 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid, Environmental Protection Agency

6. ConsumerSearch.com

The 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid is unchanged from the 2010 model year. Our full report on the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid offers a comprehensive look at what the Fusion Hybrid has to offer and what the experts think.

Review: 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid, Editors of ConsumerSearch.com, April 2010

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