Ford Fusion Hybrid
Sponsored links:
City fuel economy for the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid almost doubles the city efficiency of the non-hybrid Fusion.
January 11, 2010 - The Ford Fusion Hybrid today was awarded the North American Car of the Year prize at the 2010 Detroit auto show. A panel of 49 North American automotive journalists selects the winners based on innovation, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value. Hybrids have now been honored five times.
The Fusion Hybrid set a new benchmark in taking hybrid technology to the next level. Marrying a seamless, sophisticated hybrid powertrain to the outstanding Fusion platform—positioned solidly in the middle of the mainstream market—proved to be a winning combination. It’s fun to drive and speaks of refinement all around, from handling and braking through comfort and convenience. Yet, the Ford Fusion Hybrid has been a sleeper, selling far fewer units than the Toyota Prius or the Toyota Camry Hybrid. Perhaps this recognition as the car of the year, and other accolades, will help consumers become more aware of the Fusion Hybrid in their purchase decisions.
Correcting the Bad Rap Against Hybrids
"The Toyota Prius and other hybrids are great for eco-geeks who hold fuel efficiency, low emissions and high-tech auto technology as sacrosanct—and all other car features as sacrifice. But drivers looking for a smooth, comfortable ride—with a modicum of style and performance—might as well forget hybrids." So goes the old opinion of many auto journalists who historically dinged hybrids for lackluster driving characteristics, squishy brakes, and clunky transitions between gas and electric power. But that was before the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid, a family sedan that offers 41 mpg in the city—and more importantly, some fun and refinement behind the wheel.
Compare the Fusion!
If you're thinking about buying a Ford Fusion Hybrid, you might also consider a Toyota Camry Hybrid or a Nissan Altima Hybrid. Compare these vehicles.
USA Today emphatically stated, “The 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid is the best gasoline-electric hybrid yet.” Cars.com said, “Fusion Hybrid is a significant step forward for the technology, particularly for family sedans.” And Car and Driver said the Ford Fusion Hybrid “wipes the floor with the Toyota Camry Hybrid.” Comparisons with the Toyota Camry Hybrid and Nissan Altima Hybrid (only available in eight states) make sense. They currently are the three leading hybrid contenders in the mid-size family sedan category. The Toyota Prius hatchback—with its unique aerodynamic design, slightly smaller interior, smaller engine and 50-mpg rating—will probably appeal to a different buyer.
From Gas to Electric and Back
The Ford Fusion Hybrid’s 41 city / 36 highway mileage ratings handily beat the Camry Hybrid’s 33/34 and the Altima Hybrid’s 35/33. Ford engineers also did a tremendous job of eliminating the flutter-rumble that many hybrids make when transitioning from gas engine to electric mode. In the Fusion Hybrid, the gasoline engine seamlessly starts up and shuts down "with only the very faintest shudder” according to Automobile magazine. USA Today goes further: “There was no—none, nada, zip—vibration or shimmying in the test car when the gasoline kicked in to help the electric. No other hybrid—not even that $107,000 Lexus—can make that claim 100 percent of the time.”
The Fusion Hybrid—and its sibling, the Mercury Milan Hybrid—are the first vehicles to use Ford’s second-generation hybrid system. Hybrid-electric vehicle systems engineer Gil Portalatin told us that the control logic for the new hybrid system provides much tighter integration of engine operation and power delivery. The new logic goes as far as to vary the engine’s valve timing, fuel delivery, and spark timing to match the power delivered through the electric motor, permitting very aggressive fuel shutdown under light loads. As a result, the Fusion Hybrid’s 2.5-liter engine shuts itself off twice as much as the earlier Escape, with the electric system providing more power. In addition, new control logic for the regenerative brakes recaptures up to 94 percent of the braking energy and feeds it to the battery.
Zesty Drive
Enthusiasm from the auto press is also extended to the Fusion Hybrid’s road manners. Edmunds.com said, “Compared to the similarly sized Camry Hybrid, the Fusion Hybrid is a relatively zesty sedan…The Fusion's braking force feels reassuringly linear.” Jalopnik wrote, “The Fusion also comprehensively outdrives the Camry; providing a level of steering feel, control responsiveness and overall ability that’s far greater than that of its Japanese competition.” Nadaguides.com wrote that the Fusion Hybrid’s 2.5 liter 4-cyclinder engine provide plenty of power for freeway ramps, while hugging the road and offering a comfortable ride. Auto writers similarly praise the steering, handling, suspension and quiet ride.
The combined output for the Fusion Hybrid’s engine and motor is 191 horsepower. Besides the Hybrid, the 2010 Ford Fusion lineup offers a choice of three different engines: a 2.5-liter inline-4 with 175 horsepower; a 3.0-liter flex-fuel V6 with 240 hp; and a performance-tuned 3.5-liter V6 with 263 hp.
The one consistent criticism regarding the Fusion Hybrid's drive is that Ford exaggerated when it claimed that the sedan can go 47 miles per hour, and as much as two miles, in all-electric mode. That requires just the right conditions for acceleration, load, battery charge level, weather—and proper alignment of stars. Unless you exert extreme care to stretch the electric drive, you shouldn’t count on more than a few blocks at relatively low speeds.
Exterior & Interior Design
The entire line of Ford Fusions—including the base S, mid-level SE, well equipped SEL, and the Fusion Hybrid—has been spruced up for the 2010 model year. Cars.com said the new Fusion “keeps its predecessor's athletic lines, but adds some much-needed presence: The flanks seem better-rounded, the headlights sharper.” Car and Driver adds, “The refresh makes the Fusion sharper looking, particularly since the weird headlamps of the original have been replaced.” Reviewers said the Fusion Hybrid looks like an uplevel Fusion SE or SEL. But not everybody likes the design. Bloomberg wrote, “From the lackluster rims, which look like they’re made of plastic, to the generic sedan shape, the Fusion has no flash whatsoever.”
The interior, especially the high-tech features, gets mixed reviews, but mostly positive. Detroit News said, “The new instrument cluster looks much more sophisticated, and the dash has an easy flow. The touch points are soft, and every inch of the cabin uses high-quality materials.” Jalopnik said, “The Fusion is nicer inside too. While still not up to European levels of design, the Fusion cabin doesn’t revolt in the same way that the Camry does.” Car and Driver adds, “Inside, the Fusion also receives a new instrument panel, redesigned seats, and more stylish trim, although the quality of some of the materials isn’t yet on par with those of the class leaders.”
The new Fusions offer Ford’s popular Sync voice-activated digital entertainment and integrated mobile phone system. Other options include blind-spot information mounted on the outside mirror, a backup camera screen cleverly hidden in the rearview mirror, cross-traffic alerts when reversing, and real-time traffic and weather through the Sirius Travel Link satellite radio system. Other standard features include bags, belts, 110-volt outlet, six-CD stereo (instead of the typical single setup), dual-zone climate control, auto on-off headlights, and auto-dimming mirror.
The Fusion Hybrid uses a new nickel metal hydride battery with 20 percent more power, in a package that’s 30 percent smaller. That means the Fusion Hybrid sacrifices only a negligible amount of trunk space compared to the standard version—but not enough to retain rear folding seats, which are not available in the Fusion Hybrid. The Camry Hybrid managed to keep folding back seats.
Ford Hybrids Come with Fuel Economy Nag
The Ford SmartGuage "coaches" the driver on how to achieve maximum fuel economy.
The 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid and Mercury Milan Hybrid, are also the first to use Ford’s new SmartGuage technology. Inspired by the Toyota Prius’s hybrid energy/consumption monitor, the SmartGauge goes further by helping the driver to learn specific techniques to achieve higher efficiency. The dashboard interface offers feedback to the driver—both visual and sound. In other words, it actually talks to you.
The gauge cluster is comprised of dual hi-resolution LCD screens to display instantaneous mileage and fuel economy history—as well as key data including battery charge, engine output, and accessory power consumption. One animation depicts a vine of leaves that grows larger as the driver becomes more efficient over time. To prevent sensory overload, the system allows the driver to decide how much information to see, and what can be ignored. That’s critical, because many reviewers believe the fuel economy system is distracting. And others experienced “false alarms” from the cross-traffic alerts.
Economics
If you like the Fusion Hybrid’s more dynamic handling and performance, and smoother hybrid system, compared to the Camry Hybrid or Altima Hybrid, then get ready to pay for it. The Fusion Hybrid, with a base MSRP of $27,300, is $2,000 more than the Camry Hybrid or Altima Hybrid. And it’s several thousand dollars more than the base-level Fusion S trim, which has a fuel efficiency rating of 22/31. For reference, Ford’s other hybrid, the Escape Hybrid SUV, is comparably priced to the Fusion at $29,300 and offers fuel economy at 36 in the city and 31 on the highway.
Reaffirming Ford’s commitment to hybrid-electric vehicles, Nancy Gioia, the executive responsible for Ford’s electrified vehicles, said all its new products globally will permit hybrid versions. Gioia, a 26-year Ford veteran, told HybridCars.com that design standards have been changed to ensure future Ford “vehicle architectures” can accommodate gasoline, diesel, and hybrid powertrains. Not all vehicles will be offered as hybrids in all markets, she said, but Ford wants the option to add gas-electric drive with as little change as possible. If that makes it easier for Ford to roll out best-in-class hybrid features in compelling vehicles like the Ford Fusion, it'll be a good thing.
This review was originally posted when the Ford Fusion Hybrid was introduced in early 2009.
-
41 / 36 MPG 5.74 / 6.53 L/100km
-
BODY TYPE:
Sedan
-
TECHNOLOGY:
Hybrid
-
BASE MSRP:
$27,300
Side-by-side Comparison
You can compare specs and photos with up to two other vehicles. Start by selecting the first one now:
1 year ago
Wow. The Focus hybrid looks like a winner. I sure hope it's priced under $30K.
I bet the 2010 Prius and Camry Hybrid, as well as the 2010 Ford Escape Hybrid, will also experience a bump up in mpg. I'm also curious about the mpg for the Honda Insight. Hope it exceeds 50 mpg.
We're going to see some interesting vehicles in the next year or two.
1 year ago
This is a really great car, way to go Ford! Funny they have an analog speedo, should have good all digital with the dash, would have been very high-tech.
I hope they make enough so everyone who wants one and can afford one can get it without too much hassle.
1 year ago
One of the few (relatively) bright spots in the Big 3 offerings (the Volt will be a bit too expensive), if the promises of the mpg pan out (Escape Hybrid was also promoted early on as a 40mpg vehicle).
Now they need something to compete with Honda's small upcoming hybrid. They need to break the 60mpg barrier (though they already did with the Prodigy.
1 year ago
Ford has become the the Big Three Automaker that I would save if I had the power, but given the choice to bailout only one company. Of the 3, Ford seems to "get it" better.
1 year ago
I've always liked the Fusion since I first saw one. My only problem with this design is the stupid chrome bar right above the license plate, it makes it look like a cheap Chevy. Other than that, I think Ford is definitely going in the right direction. And I agree with Will that if any of the Big 3 were to be sasved, I'd vote for Ford.
1 year ago
I drove econoboxes for years. I averaged over 35 mpg on the highway in most of them. My perspective is that I've made my sacrifices (in comfort, stability, quietness) driving these small and very efficient cars. I think I deserve something a little more comfortable than an Accent or other econobox. That's why I spent less than $10k and bought a used 4 cyl Camry. It is still relatively economical - I average about 33 mpg on the highway and it is very reliable. (I am not saying the Accent is not reliable).
The Camry is also more comfortable and most importantly for me - quieter (less road noise, less engine noise and less wind noise).
I still say give credit where credit is due. I think Ford is doing the right thing with the hybrid Fusion.
1 year ago
I too am disappointed Ford now says the hybrid Fusion will drive on pure electric power for only 2 miles.
In the 29 Oct 2008 hybridcars.com posting "Ford's New Smarter Hybrids," was the claim that "The Fusion Hybrid and Milan Hybrid can travel as a fast as 47 miles per hour, and as far as eight miles, solely on electric power."
Now they only claim pure electric for 1/4th as far. While many commute 8 miles or less, far fewer commute 2 miles or less.
Oh well, it's a step forward and should improve once Li ion batts' prices fall after they ramp up prdxn.
And there's always the EEstor ultracap we've been hoping for . . . .
1 year ago
Great looks, Great mileage.
I hope this wins the mass market.
FYI : 2010 Prius will give 10 % less mileage than current Prius, since it has 10 % more power. Foolish decision on part of Toyota. When summer comes, gas prices will top $3 again and if the economy recovers, it may top $4.
People want more mileage. But Ford should also launch a Hybrid / Wagon / CUV version of these vehicles and those designs offer more space compared to sedan.
1 year ago
I've rented Hundai Accents. Sorry, not for me.
I think it's remarkable that the Escape can go 2 miles in EV mode. I understand that the Prius can't go 1 mile and only then at half the speed. To get increased distance, one mainly needs a larger, more expensive battery. I wonder how Ford gets 2 miles. I doubt their battery is twice the size of the Prius.
In my opinion, if the U.S. auto industry dies, the balance of trade will become more imbalanced, the U.S. dollar would continue to lose value--not to mention the millions of unemployed in the U.S. A bailout is the lessor of two evils, but I'm in favor of a lot of attached strings.
Gasoline will rise again, but it will be years before the price of oil significantly increases. This economic downturn will last several more years. However, i expect, and support, a significant Federal tax added to gasoline and diesel. I support a $1 increase ASAP.
1 year ago
Being a owner of a 2005 Escape Hybrid, I hope that Ford has worked out a way for the AC and Defroster to work when the Gas Engine has shutdown. Toyota has this feature.
I am excited that Ford is stepping into the Sedan arena. I would consider purchasing this vehicle.
1 year ago
really cant stand Toyota Cars. I fell they are cheap, poorly built and unsafe.
Its so funny a ford now is so much better than a Toyota all you anti American Toyota people are scrambling to find an excuse to find any reason to bash this car.
Maybe its time to admit that Ford builds a much better hybrid that Toyota.
Oops they do. Sorry Toyota Cannery drives your car is inferior.
Now that Fords Quality is better than Toyota,
Both Consumer reports and JD rate fusion better than Camery.
So again we have a quality American product.
Again I have owned Toyota vehicles and I was not impressed they cost just as much to keep running as my ford and GM vehicles .
In fact my 1999 camery was a Piece of junk. It need so many new parts I gave it to my neighbor who was a mechanic.
1 year ago
I have an Altima hybrid, same class as the Camry and Fusion, actually the same driveline as the Camry except for the ICE. I'm drooling over this car (Fusion). It has achieved significant strides over my car. I would love to have 2 mile EV range and 47mph EV. Bash all you want, this will be the clear leader in it's class if it is sold in 09.
And those who follow the various hybrid sites know that the Escape hybrid has a tremendous rating among it's owners. The biggest problem is that Ford is not making enough of them (and thus, dealers demanding a premium for them). But the vehicle itself is built and engineered as well (I believe better) than the Toyota. The A/C is now electric BTW were as it was originally run off the ICE, for the poster who was asking about this.
1 year ago
I read that a lot of components are limited by the Japanese to ensure the profits of there own country.
You know that's why I am learning about buying foreign cars. The Japanese exercise no trade rules. We have a 600B trade deficit and they never allow us to sell anything in there country. Its like they want to drain all our money.
They have parts suppliers that provide parts for the escape hybrid that will supply parts to the Japanese first and then limit the amount of parts they provide to ford.
Ford was upset about this and when they developed this car they found some domestic suppliers for batteries and other components I believe.
1 year ago
I own a Lexus and its the same as the Camery.
My father owns a RX400 suv and its the same as the Camery too.
Toyota rebadges cars all over the place..
Also My fater is allways getting mad at Lexus in San Deigo because he spent 2k right after the warrenty expired on the car and it started to rust.
Its so werid it rusted in CA and now the antilock sensor on the right wheel is failing and they want to peform normal maintance in the tune of 1500....
I think toyota deallers make people think its normal maintance but really its replacing components that have failed. I told dad thoese prices are not normal for maintance.
I have a friend with a old ford focus wth 200k with no problems.
So I agree that Asian car love is just a movement not fact.
1 year ago
-Good show Ford! Excellent design and engineering. Now, if only the UAW can come through on the build quality ...
-We have a 2006 Escape Hybrid with 30,000 miles without a single repair. We are impressed with its capabilities and think Ford has a winner with this drivetrain.
-It would be wonderful if Ford could bring over the European Fusion, and match its chassis with the Detroit-designed hybrid system. Hang in there, Ford!
1 year ago
I don't really care what's in the black box under the hood. I want a car that I fit into with my stuff and that gets at least 40 mpg- at very little incremental cost- and that I can drive for at least ten years...
$20,000 is about the limit.
I can get a good car for $16,000 or so- so I'm not willing to pay more than $4,000 for the extra mileage....
I don't care if the thing runs on peanut butter or can go fifty miles on electricity alone....I'm not paying $50,000 on a car designed to save me money.
1 year ago
rwcole, I agree.
The way we are approaching reducing fuel consumption (with $1.80 gas and hybrids) is to save money on gas - no matter how much it costs us (in technology and subsidies).
1 year ago
I think that ford is stepping up to the plate but is still taking baby steps towards the right direction. ford escape hybrid building 25,000 only and the same with the new ford fusion hybrid 25,000. They should take one more baby step and make 50,000 of the suv and sedan. As for toyota and honda i still love them for having the only hybrid cars that have 40+ mpg on the city and highway and are priced at around 22,000 msrp of course. No otheir company has done that and honda and toyota have had reliable cars for 30+ years. I never heard of anyone that on know that has any type of problems with there toyota or honda. In fact all i hear is how much they love there cars and how reliable they are that is a fact!
Don't forget " FORD" stands for " Fix Or Repair Daily " but i think the new ford hybrid cars are much reliable now so time will tell.
1 year ago
>Don't forget " FORD" stands for " Fix Or Repair Daily " but i think >the new ford hybrid cars are much reliable now so time will tell.
I thought it meant "Found On Road Dead".
1 year ago
All this talk about reliability! I've owned two Toyotas and the second one, a 1998 Corolla which I still have, needed part of the transmission replaced at 70K miles (about $1.5K job) and is having problems again at 100K. Very boring ride and awful handling by the way! I've also owned a Honda S2000 (very fun car!) and a VW Jetta TDI which had several problems (about $2K in repairs so far). A few months ago I bought a 2008 Ford Focus for my wife and that's the funnest car (aside from the S2000) from them all! Great handling, 34-35 mpg (comparable to the Corolla), much better features that the Corolla for a better price. I bought it as a cheap option, but I didn't think I would like that car as much as I do! Of course, time will show how reliable it is, but it seems that Ford has made great strides in their reliability ratings so I'm being optimistic. Hopefully, GM and Chrysler can do the same.
1 year ago
The EPA officially rated the Fusion on Monday at 41 city, 36 highway. A colleague of mine drives a 2007 Ford Fusion and he averages about 32 MPG highway, 27 city which are both very close to the current Toyota Camry Hybrid figures.
Ford has really come a long way and now produces vehicles that are better than Toyota and Honda. I am glad I invested in Ford.
1 year ago
how about a hybrid fusion wagon...i know i'm dreaming but i'd love to see a small to midsize wagon hybrid. we don't like suv's but do like to be able to haul some people and some stuff around...
on the fusion hybrid, it sure looks like a nice job done by ford. i hope they are able to make enough of them and that they are as good on the road as on paper..
1 year ago
As an engineer who has worked on hybrid electric storage and propulsion systems for non-automotive applications, I understand there is far more to running a vehicle on electric power than just discharging the battery to promote range under electric power.
Battery life is affected by depth of discharge, charge/discharge rate, operating temperature, etc. Discharging even modern NiMH batteries below 50% will shorten life, you want to cycle the battery between about 60-80% to promote good service life while staying below 80% in order to absorb additional energy which happen and preserve power electronics.
To a lay person 2 miles on 100% electric power may not seem like much, but to someone who works in the field, this is fantastic for a small storage system primarily designed to cyclically recover and release kinetic energy, thereby reducing fuel consumption by up to 30%.
There aren't any production hybrids that can compete with this, and to add more batteries to existing systems would add both weight and considerable cost, well beyond the $27K or so price of the hybrid Fusion.
There will always be whiners and naysayers. Generally these people contribute very little to technological advances, but feel free to whine and complain when things aren't perfect. Meanwhile the 10% of us or so forge ahead making new ideas a reality.
10 years from now, the average person will be glad that Ford, even during difficult times, along with Toyota, Honda, Nissan and to a lesser extent GM has invested in trying to make larger vehicles more fuel efficient.
There is more here than is obvious at first glance. Consider that both the Fusion and Altima hybrids may become the basis for hybrid taxis in the near future. Being able to shut down will stopped, then to run short distances on electric power will help reduce urban pollution considerably.
Try that with your Accent or similar econobox and you'd get laughed out of town.
1 year ago
OK, I skipped over a LOT of these posts because there was just so much there, so maybe I'm duplicating someone else's thoughts, but here's my perspective:
I live in MN and my wife & I both have been following the hybrid market for some time. Last year we got married, bought a new house, and generally spent a bunch of money, so we haven't entered the market yet. I drive a 2005 SUV and she drives a 2004 SUV (we both had them before we got too serious). We want to replace hers this year, and we certainly don't need a 2nd SUV anymore, so we're eyeing the hybrid car market pretty closely. Since we live in MN, we get a fair amount of bad weather too. So the Fusion hybrid appeals to us for several reasons:
1) Better gas mileage than the Camry, and significantly better than the Malibu.
2) We don't feel like we have to sacrifice too much on space and driving like we might with a Prius or a Civic, or the reintroduced Insight. We want to find a balance between responsibility and comfort, and this looks like it might be a good fit.
3) To my knowledge, this is the only hybrid sedan to date with the option for AWD, which we feel is important given our climate. This is doubly important as we plan children in the near future.
I frequently see comments from the diehard hybrid fans lamenting the lack of mass market appeal of some of the vehicles. As far as I'm concerned, this vehicle address just about all of my concerns for a hybrid, and I'd say that there's a better than 50/50 chance this will be our next vehicle. Hybrids like this, in my opinion, are what will eventually bring the masses to the market, because I have to think there are a lot of people like us out there, who want a hybrid but also want it to fit into the realities of our life. So in that context, I would think every hybrid fan should be happy about the Fusion.
1 year ago
"Maybe its time to admit that Ford builds a much better hybrid that Toyota."
The Ford product costs $5000 more than a Prius and gets poorer fuel economy. What is better about that??
My friend's Toyota pickup has been driven 200,000 miles. What a piece of 'junk'!
47 weeks ago
Finally, there is a good American hybrid! Now only if Ford would get Microsoft out of our cars.
21 weeks ago
I traded in my 2004 Ford F150 last week for a 2010 Fusion last week. The truck was a stellar truck with an abysmal 13MPG. I just drove from Northern VA to Gettysburg PA in the new Fusion and got 200 miles to a quarter tank of gas! That was driving I-95 to 270 to 15. Hardly any surface street in the whole trip. I am almost to 400 miles now at a half tank of gas. I have never been so excited about a car with this kind of MPG, accessories and looks GREAT, unlike the jelly bean shaped souless Prius. If you stripped down a Fusion to the bare essentials like a Prius, it would get the same mileage and look way cooler!
20 weeks ago
We've had our Fusion Hybrid 3 weeks and are really pleased. The handling is nice. And so is the interior finish. At 6'4" I was concerned about headroom with a moonroof, but it's been roomy enough. We got 'bells and whistles' and they all work as advertized. Cell phone Sync'd - and Nav unit got us there, though it's a pity that the NAV unit doesn't have the whole USA in it - but I'm sure there is software available for that.
The backup camera is really handy and the alerting system saved my quarterpanels when someone was speeding by as I was leaving a parking slot.
I thought that perhaps the climate control would affect the fuel efficiency. We're using AC continuously in Houston and (as a techno-nerd) I thought that I should be driving with it off - - soooo wrong! I sit absolutely guilt-free at stop lights with AC functional and the internal combustion engine off - life is good.
There does seem to be some cycling of the charging system at about 45 or 50 mph steady state speed - this can be a little annoying but it doesn't seem to happen often...
I'm still on my second tank of fuel so experience is limited - but my record high is 50.6 MPG - the record low is 14.6 MPG. My son and I had some - ah - quick accelerations (i.e. punched it). It's not a Mustang GT, but it did ok - and still got 24 MPG.
Overall MPG is is about 37 - pretty much as advertized.
18 weeks ago
I've had my Ford Fusion ('10) for 3 or 4 weeks now and it is amazing. A true turn around from old misconceptions of American cars. Ford finally nailed it - great look, great handling, almost 200hp and I get better mpg's than the EPA rated 36/41. Using the on mpg indicators - I keep it around 40 on the highway, usually averaging 40-45mpg's.
I got all the bells and whistles, but no Navigation - but thats ok! Because the MS Sync has an update that now gives you turn by turn just by talking to it (and it works nicely).
I see this as the American hybrid - no goofy look, good warranty (even better if you extend it like I did), and great mpg's - as well as all the extras (heated leather, sony 12 speaker surround, moon roof). All this without sacrificing the feeling of driving a real car (unlike most hybrids).
Feels more like a luxury car. Well worth it.
17 weeks ago
i drive a a 98 lincoln towncar and average 26 without a chip and 32 with the chip installed on a trip
around town without the chip installed 17mpg with the chip installed 22 mpg
why would i trade for somthing that rides harsh doesnt have enough power and luxury for 10 mpg.
the manufacturs have been able for years able to break the 30+ MPG barrier, i had a studibaker theat did over 30 all the time in the 50's. dont get me wrong we need change but the changes were withheld for a reason, probably to fuel the oil industry.
i am in the middle of a 3500 mile trip and i averaged 29 in the rockies, and no complaints
for me the Hibrid cars will have to grow up more before i will consider a purchase
at this point i feel the Prius is the front runner
17 weeks ago
The Fusion should be applauded, and I'm an import disciple for the most part. I do own a Chevy diesel truck (work vehicle) that routinely gets 25 mpg highway, which is amazing for a 7200# truck, and a gas-powered Maxima V6 that gets 30mpg highway. I am considering a hybrid car to replace the Maxima when the time comes. In my opinion, the two technologies are not competing, but complimentary. Both have a place. You can't haul a cube of bricks down the interstate with a hybrid and a diesel isn't well suited to short-haul city commuter driving.
The secret to the Fusion's (and Ford's) success is that it is truly an international car company. Unlike GM, Ford has fully brought together it's Japanese, European, and American arms in sharing technology and platforms. I would own a Fusion. GM on the other hand is trying to shed Opel/Vauxhall and has never succeeded in merging it's various international divisions, and Chrysler? ... not a clue, even with FIAT.
13 weeks ago
I bought a 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid. But I want that Ford Fusion Hybrid like I want chocolate. The price is a bit of a put off, however. I wonder if the 2011 Fusion Hybrid will bring great mpg's.
13 weeks ago
Right now I don't know what kind of car is realy American. The Ford Fusion hybrid is made in Mexico, but looks like a nice car with good mpg. The Chevy Malibu hybrid is made in USA, but has very poor mpg for a hybrid. On the other hand, the Toyota camery hybrid is made in usa with decent mpg, but Toyota is Japanesse owned. Which one would you buy an American car made in Mexico, an american car made in usa with poor mpg, or a Japanesse car made in Usa?
10 weeks ago
Although hybrid electric is as great idea, it seems to me a waste money on technology that is marginally better than a total internal combustion engine. Case in point, I (still) drive a 1998 4 cyl 5 speed FORD Ranger, and before gasoline was diluted with ethanol (a corn-derived alcohol in the US, probably one of the worst things the govt has proposed to the oil industry), I could get 30mpg on the highway; now with 10% ethanol mileage has dropped to about 25mpg. The added cost of a hybrid, as well as the battery and other costly maintenance does not seem worth the price, unless efficiency is above 50mpg, something that I believe is achievable with diesel and diesel electric hybrids. Until such a time as those vehicles are available, I will drive my Ford Ranger and my Buell XB12ss (circa 55mpg).
5 weeks ago
We bought a Ford Fusion Hybrid in September. The parts are made in the US and Canada and is assembled in Mexico (all parts of NAFTA and in my book thus "domestic"). We have had absolutely no problems with this car. The gas mileage is superior. During the fall when the temperatures were above freezing I get 40+ mpg driving between 65 and 70 mph. Now that it is in the upper teens I get around 32 mpg on the first drive of the day (under 10 miles) but then after the engine and passenger compartment are warmed up the mileage goes up to 37-8 mpg. The car is called a "mid-sized" but has nearly as much internal room as did my old "full-sized" Ford 500. Since 2000 I have found the Fords I have owned to be of better quality and more trouble free than the two Toyotas and the Honda that I owned. The only issue that the 500 had was a recall on the brakes (from an outside supplier) which Ford completely replace (front and rear - rotors and all) for free and gave me a 'loaner" while the 500 was in the shop. There have been absolutely no problems with the Fusion Hybrid so far. The hybrid power train is fully covered for 300K so I have no worries about it as I rarely keep a vehicle beyond 100K.
Real experience is showing that Ford builds some of the highest quality cars made, makes them in the US, and keeps the profit in the US. Ford and its suppliers pay their workers a fair wage and provide good benefits. These workers are here in the US and our Canadian and Mexican neighbors, not in some sweatshop in Asia! It is time for Americans to purchase North American made goods from North American companies to keep these jobs in the US and the members of NAFTA! Once the government gets its money out of Chrysler (if it survives) it will be an Italian company and given its record for quality I wouldn't suggest that we consider it anything but a "foreign" auto maker.
4 weeks ago
You argument is severely flawed. How is a car that is made in Mexico more domestic than a car made in Japan? Made in Mexico is not made in the USA. Many Japanese companies actually have US assembly plants. Toyota actually has a plant 4 miles down the road from me and employs 30% of the people that lives in my town. I prefer cars to have parts manufactured in the US and be assembled in the US as well. The manufacturing of parts is way more automated than the assembly of cars thus requires much less labor. So essentially for the Ford Fusion that you bought most of the automated processes occurred in the US while most of the labor(which employs the most people) occurred in Mexico. I much rather buy a Toyota manufactured in the US than a Ford manufactured in Mexico.
And sweatshops? Are you thinking of Malaysia or Indonesia? There are no sweatshops in Japan. Let me remind you that Japan is the #2 economy in the world and the average household income is comparable to the US and MUCH MUCH higher than Mexico. Having been to both countries I can tell you that Mexico is very much a low-waged and developing country while Japan has a very technologically advanced and wealthy society. Before med school one of my goals was to teach English abroad for 2 years and the offer I received from a school in Tokyo paid 43,000 US dollars annually while Mexico and Costa Rica opportunities offered $4000 and $1200, respectively. I'm only bringing this up because Ford is paying much less for workers in Mexico than Toyota and Honda are paying their workers in Japan. They are just more efficient companies and have the management to squeeze out more profit from the cars they sell.
The best scenario is to have parts made in US, cars assembled in the US, and profit flowing to the US. But I'm not sure a Ford assembled in Chihuahua, Mexico is a better situation than a Toyota assembled in Alabama.
4 weeks ago
Great Job Ford!!
If you haven't seen it yet, the 2012 Focus if HOT! It's on the Ford website now. It's much better than the test car from the Jay Leno show. And it's coming in Full EV!
They finally realized that there is no need to design special cars for each country...'humans' are looking for style, technology, quality and fuel efficiency no matter where they are on the planet.
4 weeks ago
I wonder what the mileage difference is between the straight-4 and either of the V6s and which tge 41/36mpg represents.
3 weeks ago
This will be my next car. I'm saving $$ for it. :)
3 weeks ago
If Ford wants to be aggressive, they'd offer a station wagon version of the hybrid Fusion. No one makes a hybrid station wagon. I'm sure that would steal sales from small SUVs/station wagons from other manufacturers.
1 week ago
how about you put a 572 big block chevey in one of these! 720hp, and it would sound alto better too!!!!
3 days ago
Ford- make a Fusion wagon!!
I'll take a hybrid or even better, a 4 cylinder 5-speed version!
Post a new comment