Create a FREE flash website2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid first look
Ford's new Fusion Hybrid drives better than we expected.
(Credit: CNET)After seeing the Fusion Hybrid at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show, we've wanted to find out how it drives. This week we finally got the chance, and found it one of the best cars coming out this year. In fact, we find it far better than the 2010 Honda Insight or 2010 Toyota Prius. Although it might come up a little short for fuel economy, the driving experience is so much better, while the cabin technology is unparalleled.
The car's 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine is aided by a full hybrid system, giving it a net 191 horsepower. That number becomes plain when you drive the Fusion Hybrid and compare it with its hybrid competitors. But this story isn't all about power--the Fusion Hybrid delivers it seamlessly, and performs the hand-off from electric to gas without fuss. The car can purportedly get up to 47 mph under electric power alone, a figure we will test in the full review. Fuel economy is rated at 41 mpg city and 36 mpg highway.
Ford uses its Lincoln and Mercury brand for more upscale models, and the Fusion Hybrid gets a sister in the Milan Hybrid, but we didn't feel the cabin of the Fusion Hybrid lacked for luxury. Leather seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel enhanced this feeling, but quality fit and finish anchored it. There are plastics on dash and doors, but they are the soft kind.
The SmartGauge is an innovative LCD instrument cluster.
(Credit: CNET)What really sets the Fusion Hybrid apart from other cars on the road is its instrument cluster, a customizable LCD featuring well-designed graphics to let you know how the car is performing. There are four presets showing different types of virtual gauges and information. We found it easy to switch between different modes without having to consult a manual. There is really nothing like it on the road, and we applaud Ford for taking such a bold step, which will surely get some backlash from purists who favor analog gauges. But those people probably wouldn't be interested in a hybrid, anyway.
For the last couple of years, we've been praising Ford's cabin technology, most of which is available in the Fusion Hybrid. That means an optional hard drive-based navigation system integrated with Sirius Travel Link, letting you find gas prices, avoid traffic congestion, get weather alerts, and even look for movie times. And Sync, which provides an excellent connection for MP3 players and cell phones, comes standard. Ford also has several new technologies available in the Fusion Hybrid, such as a blind spot warning system.
Our short drive in the Fusion Hybrid has us eagerly anticipating a longer review period with the car.
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this car is serious business. This kind of thinking is why Ford doesn't need bailout funds.
yeah I'm with you, I want to see a full review.
more pictures or this there an embargo?
I wish this cold fusion technology could power our car in the future.
Ford Fusion Hybrid 41/36
Nissan Altima Hybrid 35 city/33 highway
Toyota Camry Hybrid 33/34
what a stupid stupid statement.
By "foreign car" I am assuming that net40 means the little jobbies they scoot around Europe in. Americans just wouldn't be happy in a lot of them. Many Europeans have such a different view of their vehicles: In Europe a car is just transport, whereas in America the car is a statement. So Americans can't drive an Opel unless GM brings it here, slaps in a huge engine, raises the horsepower, kills the gas mileage, and raises the price (which they do for one of the Saturns). Something is wrong there.
Do we "need" more than 68 horsepower? Maybe...A Geo Metro has trouble in a headwind on the highway, and in America highways are a reality. So maybe we in America can start accepting a little over 100 horses as in the Insight with higher horsepower for work vehicles that need to tow. But that's a cultural shift I do not see happening.
IN fact you can't really compare it to a modern 2009 or 2010 Honda Civic either. The reason is that newer Honda Civics get poorer gas millage because they have modern safety equipment in them which weighs things down. So the 2009 isn't really doing as hot unless it's the hybrid. Also don't forget the Fusion is also a full foot longer which does mean something since the civic is nearly too small. Car manufacturers try to make them smaller and smaller until the point people start to hate them. That's why it's good to have the extra foot. Point is they said the original guy was a moron for making it sound like any foreign car was as just as good. They aren't and the Fusion clearly has some advantages that have never been seen before.
In the future, I don't expect cars to make huge leaps in economy beyond 40 to 45mpg. At least until they come out with some new invention. Then it won't be a typical hybrid anymore. But they have managed to get a little more room and did good on the gas millage which is an improvement.
at least you gave it high marks besides that, and noted that it's a better car all around than the others you mistakenly compared it to. but that also justifies the somewhat higher pricepoint.
On a more positive note, a car like this from an american company is long overdue. This hybrid system looks to be catching up with Toyota's and Honda's hybrid systems (well to be fair, Honda's hybrid system is simpler, but it's fuel economy is still up there with Toyota's), rather than those POS "mild" hybrid sedans from GM that were barely more fuel efficient than non-hybrid Japanese sedans. I look forward to reviews of this car from both cnet and CR.
http://www.jaguar.co.uk/Microsites/UK/eFacts/XF/index.html?route=_uk_en_xf_highlights_highlights_performance@__link__FlashGraphicPromo_1
Also
"Want fuel econmy, get a 125cc moped"
That's precisely what's wrong with the American automotive industry. Europe's moved on to efficient engines, USA manufacturers stuck to their guns and look where that got them.
And regarding the European makers (you mentioned Audi, BMW, Jaguar), their comparable cars are significantly more expensive than the Focus. Also, their diesels aren't all available in the US so I don't think you can compare their mileage claims to the US formula for mileage used by Ford.
Those models, if rated using the EPA standard, would NOT get the mileage you quote.
Do some research on this...
The trade off that makes one hybrid more or less efficient is often the tires. Thin (small contact patch) + hard (rough ride, bad in some conditions) + small diameter give the best mileage.
Many of the early hybrids "cheated" in the way they got better mileage, by attributing the advantage of these tires (and wheel well covers) to the hybrid technology, when they could have been applied to any car, as you point out.
The problem is, the ride stinks, the handling is bad, and they are less safe. I'll take the more capable tires even if it costs a few MPG, because I value my safety and my back (bumps take a toll on your spine).
For more info on the fusion
:http://www.fordvehicles.com/cars/fusion/
http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?p=202955
So to sum it up: the car is great, Probably one of the nicest rides you will have in any current hybrid.
Please note that a bunch of whacked out environmentalist are forcing everyone into smaller cars when it is not necessary. There is enough oil available to the US to drop the price back to well under a dollar. We are the only country in the developed world that is blocked from producing it. I still am waiting for wind farms to power a car....BEAM ME UP.
Note: my hybrid chews up gas rigs in town...the electric motor gives instantaneous torque and plenty of it.
It drives better, I feel much more safe and secure in this vehicle, it looks much better, I got it at a great price (plus there is a rebate on it), it has a ton of features that I am just loving. This is just a perfect family sedan (in my opinion).
I have owned numerous Lexus and Mercedes cars in the past and this is "the best" value for money I have ever got. The fit and finish is not quite on par with the big guys but to be very honest it is really really nice. It feels like a near luxury vehicle.
Awesome job Ford.
This may be a fine automobile, but it is not made in America and does nothing to keep jobs here. When will we stop outsourcing everything? So if I want one of these fine automobiles it will be a foreign auto.
With the way the economy is affecting "American" jobs.... Everyone should at the very least give "American" companies a chance.
GPS is nice feature with a large display, though POI list isn't long enough on search. Brakes are a little grabby, esp. if wet, but that may fade with little time.
It is QUIET on the road ... MUCH more than the Prius I test drove.
Getting 40 mpg average, with range of 37-55 mpg ... and it should climb a little after break-in according to materials.
I am so glad I waited until this came out. Consumer Reports indicated Fusion on par or better than Camry and Accord for reliability.
I loved my Civic (38 mpg highway), my 2 Accords (28 highway), but having a mid-size with super mileage is GREAT!
At least they're trying, this is a bold step and it's a step in the right direction. I dont want to hear about foreign car companies doing better...the two systems of transportation are practically mutually exclusive. Our highways are different, our transportation demands are different...it's a completely different system. Apples and oranges.
You should be ashamed of yourselves, especially in today's economy, where faith and good consumership are going to be the key ingredients of any turnaround. You're making it worse, so shut your collective pie holes, you sorry bunch of automotive misanthropes.
Think long and hard before you go slinging mud at American ingenuity. It's going to be what saves us, if people like you dont bring us down first.
Harsh and sobering realism is the phrase of the day for the big three. To Ford's credit the reason that they find themselves in a better position relative to its cross town rivals is that by chance or necessity they mortgaged the farm while the credit markets were still open. We cannot change that which we refuse to recognize.
The Big Three have perverted the ?Buy American? mantra into the definitive oxymoron. What they mean to say is support our outdated and broken business model. Say something good about Detroit..."Go Red Wings"
Ford develops and builds it's own hybrid technology. The two companies do, however, share some patents, because some of the in-house developed technologies were similar enough that they felt patent sharing was warranted and mutually beneficial.
And interestingly enough, the mileage in the Ford Fusion Hybrid far exceeds the mileage in the Toyota Camry Hybrid. So Ford's hybrid technology is not just different but better than Toyota's in that regard.
However, Ford did not use the exact same hybrid system as Toyota, but they improve on the design and made it better, as in the case of the Ford Fusion Hybrid.
I have own and driven my Toyota Camry XLE since I got it in 1993 (brand new), and its still driving like a champ. I have about 150,000 miles on it with no major repair. I have never been a American car fan since back in the 90s and early 2000, the car they made were bad quality. Nevertheless, I am glad Ford is finally designing some with good quality and better mpg. My 1993 V6 Camry gets about 23 mpg on average, so I looking for a replacement car soon. Its not that my Camry is breaking down, but I'm paying a few hundred dollars a months for gas since I live the city and it only gets about 16mpg all city driving.
I have research for a while now, and the Ford Fusion Hybrid gets my vote. It really came down to the Camry or the Fusion. While the Camry Hybrid is cheaper base price and it have some better technology I like in the car, the total cost after you add the option, it become more than the Fusion Hybrid.
So for now 2010, it hands down the Ford Fusion Hybrid wins. And this will be my next car to buy. I might look into the Ford Escape Hybrid, but its kind of ugly in my opinion since it looks very box like, and I hate that....
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by VTAndrea
July 1, 2009 6:36 PM PDT
- I bought my 2010 Fusion Hybrid in May and absolutely love it. Now that it's broken in, I'm getting 40 mpg around town. On a recent long trip, mileage was 42-44 mpg. All the techie stuff is fine, although I'm not totally familiar with it yet. It's a great, comfortable car and I smile when I go 2-3 weeks before I need to buy gas.
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