By Anne Proffit
Long Beach Gazette Auto Writer
Published: Friday, November 27, 2009 2:41 PM PST

I’m giving thanks this month to Ford Motor Co, for producing the 2010 Ford Fusion hybrid front-wheel-drive four-door sedan.

Ford’s Fusion sedan in both gasoline and hybrid form is an exceptionally modern vehicle with excellent driving dynamics. Plus, the hybrid has frugality any mid-size sedan buyer will cherish.

The mileage for this car, which weighs in at a hefty 3,720 pounds (the standard inline four-cylinder equipped Ford Fusion sedan in high-level trim carries 3,342 pounds), is exemplary in practice as well as theory of government ratings — how does 41 mpg in town and 36 mpg highway sound to you?

During my time in the Fusion hybrid with over the road, in (massive) traffic and around town driving, the lowest figures I noted was 35.2 mpg on my initial journey home from the airport and the highest was 40.6 mpg, the latter in traffic, where the Ford Fusion hybrid really shines. The Fusion hybrid uses regular fuel in the 17.5-gallon tank, accessed through Ford’s ingenious capless filler.

The mechanical propellants under the hood include an inline 2.5-liter four-cylinder Atkinson cycle engine with a permanent magnet AC synchronous electric motor that reacts in concert with a 275-volt NiMH battery pack, rated at 191 horsepower net with 136 ft-lbs of torque. The package sounds complicated but in theory works harmoniously. Ford fits an e-CVT transmission that gives continuously variable shifting but does so, as well, in appropriate fashion. Call it synchronicity.

Suspension is via front independent short-and-long arm and independent multi-link twist blade at the rear, with stabilizer bars and hydraulic gas-pressured dampers. This is a lithe suspension, direct and compliant — and is assisted by power front and rear ABS antilock brakes. Traction control is standard, combined with electronic stability control and Fusion has Ford’s somewhat numb electric power-assisted steering.

The 2010 Ford Fusion hybrid gets up to speed fairly readily and by then backing off mileage improves and the battery stays happily full. The e-CVT aids smooth transitions from the internal combustion engine to battery/motor-driven power in the Fusion hybrid. The Atkinson engine — also used by Mazda and Lexus — is a fine solution.

Ford helps drivers become acclimated to the hybrid driving experience with its lovely info center cum dashboard. Bathed in a green and blue glow, this info center encompasses the usual items — speedometer/odometers, fuel and temperature gauges. The gauges remind drivers to operate in a more efficient manner by giving information readily. The real joy of this vehicle lies on the right side of the screen, as it develops virtual plant life the more efficiently one drives. It’s a fun challenge to watch the greenery increase on the screen.

One of the few drawbacks of this vehicle is rear seat space. Because the battery pack takes up some trunk room (the hybrid has 11.8 cubic feet to the standard Fusion’s 16.5 cubes), it also intrudes a bit into the back seat, so that three passengers in the rear will feel a bit cozier than in the standard Ford Fusion.

The 2010 Ford Fusion hybrid in Atlantis green metallic adds to the ecological theme; there are charcoal black leather seats that complement the exterior harmoniously. This Fusion doesn’t skimp on the luxury items, either, as standard equipment includes auto headlamps, keyless entry, one-touch driver’s window, 8-way power driver’s seat, fog lamps, satellite-capable audio with MP3 and audio input jack, dual zone climate control and tilt-telescope steering wheel with audio/cruise controls.

There is a single option (Rapid Spec 502A) that includes a wide variety of useful items. Ford fits the “Blind Spot Information System” in both outside mirrors with cross traffic alert; rear view camera in the screen of the included voice-actuated navigation system with internal hard disk drive and one-touch power tilt-slide moonroof that is not at all noisy when open at speed.

This package also includes heated seating for the front leather bucket chairs, a magical 390-watt Sony sound system with single disc DVD/CD/MP3 player, DVD video capability, 12 speakers and 10 GB music jukebox with the Sirius satellite service that has real time traffic data and coast-to-coast weather info with fuel price alerts. The latter item features six months pre-paid subscription.


In practical testing, I’ve found very little if any stutter when the Fusion hybrid switches from hybrid to fuel power. And it can ride in all-electric mode in daily stop-and-go traffic — up to around 46-47 mph, far higher than any of its competitors. The chassis is extremely well sorted, giving Ford’s hybrid a more sporting feel than its competition, but nothing like the V6 gas-powered Fusion Sport.

The Ford Fusion rides on Michelin P225/50R tires with 15-spoike 17-inch alloys. While this tire is an “energy” model, Fusion’s good cornering capabilities go hand-in-hand with the tire’s low rolling road resistance. For passive safety, head curtains supplement front and side air bags; a tire pressure monitoring system is standard.

The plastics used in this car look extremely durable and the interior is, essentially, an inviting place to be. The navigation screen is low enough on the center stack to be readily visible (beneath central vents) and all controls are simple to access for it, climate control and audio. The screen splits to show map and audio information.

Seats are very comfortable and supportive. The remote for the trunk lies by the lights and rheostat to the left of the steering wheel; there is a 12-volt plug at the base of the center stack. The bi-level center storage area/armrest has a second 12-volt plug, along with MP3 and audio jacks. One idiosyncrasy that makes me smile is the rear view mirror, which tends to squish oncoming objects, making them look thinner than they are. I might want to stand in perpetuity behind this Fusion hybrid.

Rear seat passengers don’t have cupholders in the doors as do front occupants, but there are pull-down cupholders and plug-ins at the rear of the center armrest, along with pockets in seatbacks.

The bold horizontal triple-beam front grille gives the 2010 Ford Fusion hybrid an aggressive stance, together with the sedan’s slightly exaggerated fenders, large air opening and inset fog lamps.

The rear features a tall deck, large lights, double pipes and the “hybrid” insignia, also attached to front fenders. I like the fact that Ford doesn’t let the Fusion hybrid scream about its green-ness.

Of all the hybrid vehicles I’ve driven over the past few years — and there have been quite a few — none seems to have the harmony of the 2010 Ford Fusion hybrid. It almost feels like it’s not a hybrid at all. Well built with solid construction, the 2010 Ford Fusion hybrid tops a hybrid sedan buyer’s shopping list.