2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid

Review

As more and more people make the move to "go green" and keep the environment safe, we're seeing the amount of hybrid vehicles on the market increase exponentially. Until the last few years, consumers have had very limited options when it came to true hybrid vehicles. There seems to be an almost overwhelming amount of choices now, but some are clearly better than the rest. One vehicle that has to be placed near the top of its class is the 2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid. We've reviewed this classy new vehicle and presented you with our findings here:

Fuel Efficiency

If you're in the market for a hybrid vehicle, then fuel economy is obviously one of your major concerns. Fortunately, the Mercury Milan Hybrid lives up to its name and delivers excellent fuel efficiency. It's received an EPA estimated 36 MPG highway and 41 MPG in the city. Seeing a vehicle that gets greater mileage in the city than on the highway may be surprising to some people, but it's simply because the Milan is able to operate solely on electricity at the lower speeds associated with city driving. Of course, your actual fuel economy can differ greatly here.

Interior Design

While there's nothing inherently wrong with the Milan's interior, it's not likely to turn many heads. It's plenty spacious, but ends up being just a bit bland. One area of the interior where the Milan clearly shines though is its innovative instrument panel. More than just a glorified speedometer, Mercury has gone so far as to give christen it with its own name - SmartGauge with EcoGuide. Featuring two LCD screens that can be configured to show incredibly detailed information, this is not your average instrument panel. The SmartGauge can display information like your average gas mileage, how much electricity you're using, and when the gas engine may need to kick in.

Engine Performance

Like many other hybrid vehicles, the 2010 Mercury Milan combines an electric and gas engine. Generally, the vehicle can run solely on the electric engine until it reaches a certain speed, which is when the gas engine kicks in. The gas engine consists of a 2.5-liter four cylinder engine that produces about 156 horsepower. Combined with the electric motor, the engine is capable of 191 horsepower. All things considered, 191 horsepower out of a hybrid sedan is respectable and the engine effortlessly walks a fine of providing just enough power, while still remaining fuel efficient.

Overall

Despite a few minor missteps, Mercury has a winner on its hands with the 2010 Milan Hybrid. It may not ever reach the enormous heights of the Toyota Prius, but it's clearly one of the best alternatives. Unlike many of the other American-made hybrid vehicles out there, the Milan isn't boring, does live up to its fuel efficiency promises, and doesn't carry too high of a price tag. Overall we feel the 2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid would make a great family vehicle for anyone looking for excellent fuel economy without compromising other aspects of their car.