2010 Ford Fusion Review

Specifications

If American car buyers have made one thing clear over the past several years, it’s that they don’t have much confidence in the country’s ability to produce hybrid vehicles. We think that’s all about to change with the introduction of the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid. Here’s our detailed review of Ford’s fantastic new vehicle:

Don’t Call it a Redesign

Officially, Ford is calling the new exterior of the 2010 Fusion Hybrid a refresh, but it definitely appears to be much more than that. In pure American style, the new Fusion has a redesigned 3-bar grill that is sure to attract attention. Overall, the car has a classy, yet aerodynamic, look about it, without any obvious or gimmicky banners that it’s a hybrid vehicle.

The Introduction of the SmartGauge

Clearly, Ford is hoping to make the Fusion’s interior one of its strong points. Everything looks good overall, if a little uninspired. The Ford Fusion Hybrid also features one of the most highly advanced dashboards available - dubbed the SmartGauge with Eco Guide. This nifty instrumentation provides all kinds of helpful information, such as your average MPG, battery charge, and whether or not the gas engine has been activated.

How Does the Fuel Economy Stack Up?

Like other hybrid vehicles out there, the Ford Fusion offers both an electric and gasoline engine. Generally, the vehicle can run solely on the electric engine until reaching 47 MPH, which is when the gas engine becomes activated. That means the majority of your city driving can be done through the electric engine, allowing you to save a significant amount of gas. The vehicle is rated as 41 MPG in the city and 36 MPG on the highway. With both engines running, the car can push 190 horsepower. Obviously, the Fusion’s engines won’t be winning many drag races, but it’s more than capable, especially for a hybrid.

Safety

Although most vehicles these days attain at least decent safety ratings, it’s good to know where your vehicle stands in comparison to the rest of the field. Fortunately, the Fusion is near the top of its class and even received the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s “Top Safety Pick” rating. The vehicle comes with standard anti-lock disc brakes, six airbags, stability control, and a host of other safety features. Also, in case you haven’t heard, wearing your seatbelt is pretty important and the Fusion will remind you of that with its BeltMinder system, which alerts you when driving unbuckled.

The Final Word

All things considered, we walked away from the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid more than impressed. From its smooth ride, fantastic gas economy, and intuitive features, Ford has a clear winner on its hands. It also proves that American car companies are completely capable of putting out a hybrid vehicle that can compete with those from other countries. While the Fusion Hybrid may not end up being the game-changer that Ford is hoping for, it’s a definite step in the right direction for the carmaker. We can confidently give the Fusion Hybrid a very strong recommendation for anyone in the market for a hybrid.