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Preview: 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid
Apr 17 2009 by Courtney Messenbaugh
Instead of spending April 15 stressing about my taxes (I got it over with last week, and trust me, it wasn’t pretty), I spent the day at my local Ford dealership test-driving a new 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid. The Fusion Hybrid hit dealerships about a week ago, and the Ford folks told me they’re having a tough time keeping them in stock.
The Fusion Hybrid’s EPA estimated mileage is 41/36 mpg city/highway, which makes it the most fuel-efficient midsize sedan, along with its Mercury Milan Hybrid sibling. Its closest competition is the 2010 Toyota Camry Hybrid, which gets an estimated 33/34 mpg. My fellow auto journalists and I averaged 45 mpg when we were set loose in the Fusion Hybrid on suburban streets.
The Fusion Hybrid’s mileage is impressive; once you drive it, you’ll understand the engineering that went into it. This isn’t your average hybrid. It never — not even for a minute — felt like I was driving a golf cart. The Fusion Hybrid drove as smoothly as any car I’ve driven, regardless of whether it was using its electric motor or gas engine, and it seamlessly changed between the two. The Fusion Hybrid’s ride was nearly silent, due in part to the hybrid technology and an evidently well-insulated cabin. Dare I say that the silence put me in a happy, tranquil mood?
What ultimately pushed me into a Zen state was Ford’s SmartGauge with EcoDrive, an LCD screen that surrounds the speedometer. The screen provides information that can help coach you to greater gas mileage. It also has an animated ivy vine that grows leaves and vines as your driving becomes more fuel-efficient. Of course, they disappear as you become less efficient, so you have to challenge yourself to keep things verdant. It might not sound that exciting — my photo of it doesn’t do it justice — but using the SmartGauge was a delight that lifted the driving experience up a notch.
The seats’ cloth fabric is made of a recycled post-industrial material; leather seats are available, which is nice if you have a toddler, like I do. The Fusion Hybrid’s storage was ample, with a good-sized trunk (especially considering it’s sharing space with a sizable battery) and a compartment on top of the dashboard that can store sunglasses, cell phones, cameras or whatever else you think of. There are six cupholders. Six! The backseat had a surprising amount of room, and the Latch connectors are relatively accessible.
The Fusion Hybrid seems like it could be a family-friendly car; hopefully I’ll soon get the whole brood in there for a couple of days to put it through its paces.
User Comments
Congratulations Ford. You are making America proud.
This sounds like a great car. However, my experience with Ford’s in the past has not been good, and after the last one, vowed never to buy one again. I keep a car at least ten years and I worry about what is going to take place with a Fusion Hybrid after a few years on the road. Does anyone really know what is going to happen to the battery as it and the car get older? Are insurance costs affected because of all the high tech gear?
Great job Ford! “botrey” - read up on San Francisco’s experience with their Ford Escape Hybrids. 200,000 miles and no issues. Seems Ford has really done thier homework.
I think I just read San Francisco is retiring their Escape Hybrids at 300,000 miles! only because they have to legally not because of any vehicle issues. These Fords seem to be fuel efficient and tough and reliable. I doun’t think a compact hybrid car could make it 300,000 tough taxi miles…
It does appear to be a wonderful effort by Ford, however, it is not American made. Why couldn’t Ford assemble it HERE? I’d rather have a fuel-efficient vehicle, even if it displayed a “foreign” nameplate, if it were made here. Hyundai’s Sonata comes to mind, which is made with American hands, with many parts now supplied by American sub-contracters. BTW the Sonata will soon be available in hybrid form, also made here. IF THEY CAN DO IT, WHY DOESN’T FORD? Imagine: an American brand hybrid, well made, by Americans! What a concept! C’mon, Ford. Now that you’re going to survive past the GM, Chyrsler debacle, make USA cars number one, again!
I picked up my Ford Fusion on Tuesday April 28 and love it. I understand people are upset by the car being assembles in Mexico however it is still an American Company and the profits are brought to America. The battery has an 8 year 100,000 mile warrenty. Most of my trips have averaged 45 miles per gallon. As far as insurance cost it was no more than the vehicle I was driving. GM use to own the corporation that manufactured the batteries for hybrid cars but in there business wisdon they sold it to Toyota a Japan Corp. (That was forsight)
Im looking for an AWD hybrid that gets 35+mpg overall. The 2010 fusion hybrid does not have the AWD option. Does anyone know if AWD may be available in the future?
Bill W.,
We haven’t heard of any all-wheel-drive hybrids that gets 35+ mpg on the horizon. Currently, the 2010 Ford Escape Hybrid with all-wheel drive gets 34/31 mpg city/highway. Those numbers fall short of your criteria, but the Escape Hybrid has the best mileage numbers for a hybrid with all-wheel drive.
Imagine if we ALL got 45 mpg ?? We could kiss the Saudis (Remember them? They finance those “schools” around the world that teach hate) goodbye.