Review: 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid, look here for impressive fuel-efficiency numbers

October 16, 2009November 5, 2009 Omar Rana 2010, Ford Fusion Hybrid, Green News, Hybrids, Green News, Sedans

FoMoCo’s CEO Alan Mulally is calling consumers and thanking them for purchasing it over the Toyota Prius; it gets better fuel-economy than the Toyota Camry Hybrid; it is the most fuel-efficient mid-size hybrid sedan in America; It is the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid, a fuel-efficient mid-size sedan that Detroit can claim with pride.

The ’10 Fusion Hybrid gets an EPA estimated 41 mpg in-town, has a driving range of 700 miles on a single tank of gas, and goes as fast as 47 mph in electric mode; but this hybrid is much more than its impressive numbers.

During our week-long tryst with the Fusion Hybrid, we drove it as we normally would any car. That is; we weren’t going for maximum fuel-economy like those drivers trained in maximizing efficiency who managed 1,445 miles on a single tank of gas while maintaining an average of 81mpg. We achieved our numbers while driving like the average American; air-conditioning running, accelerating when appropriate, and some onboard cargo.

Click through to read more and to view our high-res image gallery (at the bottom of the article).

Review: 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid:

2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid Specifications:

Base Price: $27,625.
Price as Tested: $31,185.
Engine: 156-hp 2.5L 4-cylinder combined to electric-motor; net output equals 191-hp/136 lb-ft.
Transmission: Electronic Continuously Variable Transmission (eCVT).
Curb Weight: 3,720 lbs.
0 to 60 mph: 8.7 seconds.
Fuel-Economy: 41/26 mpg (city/highway).

Exterior:

There is no difference in body between the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid and its gasoline powered counter-part save for the signature ‘Hybrid’ badging on either side and the rear of the car, though the new body style has a sportier and more upscale feel. Some front-end redesign features include; new powerful domed hood, new headlamps, new fog-lamp area and gorgeous three-tier grill that establishes a strong presence among the competition. Compared to its competition; the Toyota Camry Hybrid and Nissan Altima Hybrid; the Fusion Hybrid really stands out, though it is a close call in our opinion when comparing it to the Camry Hybrid, which has a very impressive exterior design. Despite the fact that Ford is really gunning for the Camry, it falls short physically with a 107.4 inch wheel base against the Camry’s 109.3 inch wheelbase. Nonetheless, 2-inches is probably the least of your concerns when purchasing a mid-size hybrid sedan.

Interior:

The first thing that really catches your eye inside this car is the SmartGauge featuring Ford’s EcoGuide system that sits just behind the steering wheel. The system delivers various sets of data pertaining to the car via two high-resolution screens on either side of the speedometer.

Drivers can cycle through four different data screens to choose what information is to be displayed;

Inform: Fuel Level & Battery Charge Status.
Enlighten: Electric Vehicle Mode Indicator & Tachometer.
Engage: Engine Output & Battery Output Power.
Empower: Power to Wheels, Engine Pull-Up Threshold, and Accessory Power Consumption

On the display’s far-right are what Ford calls the ‘Efficiency-Leaves’. As the car is operated more efficiently, more leaves will appear on the display, and as the driver operates the car with less efficiency the leaves will start to fall off the vine. Though the system provides great information to the driver, the ultra techie set up was too distracting.

Standard features offered in the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid include:

Dual-Zone Electric Climate Control.
Reverse Sensing System.
Power Windows, Power locks.
Leather Wrapped Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel.
Ford’s MyColor Ambient Lighting.
AM/FM Stereo with 6-disc CD changer, AUX input, and 6-speakers.
Ford and Microsoft’s Sync system.
8-Way Power Drivers Seat & 6-Way Power Passenger Seat.

If you’re one of those car shoppers that requires a little more in their car like a sunroof or an upgraded audio system you can opt for the $2,250, the Rapid Spec 501A options package that adds:

Moon & Tune Value Package: Includes a sunroof and a Sony sound system (in-dash 6CD changer with 12 speakers and iPod connectivity).
Driver’s Vision Package: Rearview camera embedded into the rear-view mirror (on the navigation screen if such feature is opted for) BLIS (Blind Spot Information System) with LED indicator on side-view mirrors.

For other luxury items such as leather heated seats you can opt for the $5,215, the Rapid Spec 502A option package, which includes everything from the 501A package plus:

Leather Trimmed Seats.
Heated Front Seats.
Voice Activated Navigation System featuring SIRIUS Travel Link which offers information on weather, fuel-prices, sport scores, movie listings and more.

The overall interior quality of the 2010 Fusion Hybrid is undoubtedly an improvement over the Fusion predecessors. It is not flawless however, as the gear-knob, door-side panels, and center console could all use a little more attention. Fitting 5-passengers, 3 in the rear-seat, is no problem at all. Our 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid had optional leather seats, which were very comfortable.

Performance:

Don’t be put off by the fancy terminology and terms like SmartGauge and EcoGuide; no class is needed to operate this vehicle as you turn the key and everything in the car engages automatically.

Power for this front-wheel drive vehicle comes courtesy of a 156-hp 2.5L Atkinson-Cycle inline 4-cylinder engine, which is mated to an electric-motor that is powered by a nickel hydride battery. The two combine to produce a total 191-hp and 136 lb-ft of torque with its electronic continuously variable transmission (eCVT). The eCVT makes for seamless shifting and transition from engine to EV mode, and compensates for varying speeds and allows the engine to maintain fuel-efficiency at all speeds.

The EPA estimate for the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid comes in at an astounding 41/36 mpg (city/highway). Ford claims that the Fusion Hybrid can run 700 miles on a single fill, which we can’t argue with being that during our week-long test we didn’t have the need to fill at all. Driving the Fusion Hybrid as we would any other car, we maintained a combined fuel-economy of 38.5 mpg throughout the week and returned the car to Ford with 146 miles ’til empty.

The Fusion Hybrid is indeed the most fuel-efficient mid-size hybrid in America as it beats out the Toyota Camry Hybrid’s EPA figures by 8 mpg in-town and 2 mpg on the highway. It even beats the Honda Civic Hybrid by 1 mpg in-town.

The overall ride of the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid was pretty comfortable for a mid-size sedan. It took bumps quite smoothly and took turns without scaring us. Of course, if this is your first hybrid vehicle, you”ll have to get used to the eerie quietness when you start the car or when you stop at a red light all by yourself in the middle of the night. Another thing you’ll have to get used to is acceleration. 0-60 mph comes in close to 9 seconds, meaning overtaking someone on the highway will require a little time and effort.

Overall:

When compared to the 2010 Toyota Camry Hybrid, the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid takes the cake, though both cars are worth heavy consideration. Though the base price of the Fusion is slightly higher than that of the Camry (the Camry starts at $26,150, and the Fusion at $27,625), the fully loaded Fusion comes in at $32,295 to the fully-loaded Camry’s $32,725.

The deciding factor here is the fuel-economy:
2010 Ford fusion Hybrid – 41/36 mpg EPA Rating.
2010 Toyota Camry Hybrid – 33/34 mpg EPA Rating.

We highly recommend that you stop at your local Ford dealership and test-drive one if you’re shopping for a new mid-size hybrid sedan.

Review: 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid: