2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

Executive summary Hybridcars.com

The Ford Fusion Hybrid was awarded the North American Car of the Year prize at the 2010 Detroit auto show. Why is the Fusion Hybrid racking up awards? Because the vehicle sets a new benchmark in hybrid technology.

Correcting the Bad Rap Against Hybrids

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.

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.

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. 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.

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 sedanThe Fusion's braking force feels reassuringly linear.” 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. The combined output for the Fusion Hybrid’s engine and motor is 191 horsepower.

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. Reviewers said the Fusion Hybrid looks like an uplevel Fusion SE or SEL. Jalopnik said, “The Fusion is nicer inside too. The new Fusions offer Ford’s popular Sync voice-activated digital entertainment and integrated mobile phone system.

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 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid and Mercury Milan Hybrid, are also the first to use Ford’s new SmartGuage technology. 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. For reference, Ford’s other hybrid, the Ford 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.

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