2010 Ford Fusion SEL Hybrid review from North America

First off, I don't own this car. I own a 2006 Fusion I-4. I took part in a promotion to benefit our local school system that was sponsored by Ford. A contribution was made to the school for each test drive of the new Fusion Hybrid. I have a friend who works for Ford and he asked me to take a 2010 Fusion hybrid out for a test drive that was a bit longer than the usual ones most people were doing.

My assessment of reliability on this model is based on my experience with my 2006 Fusion, which has been flawless. I expect this one to be as good or better.

A truly amazing car. So quiet and smooth you can't hear a sound inside. Our family's Lincoln is not any quieter or more solid.

The leather interior was flawlessly done, high quality and very comfortable (as is the leather interior in my 2006 Fusion).

Performance was excellent. Flooring the accelerator engages both the gas and electric engines for very impressive acceleration. The feel is totally smooth and seamless. There is no jerk when the gas engine kicks in as there is with other hybrids such as the Prius. Under 40 mph the car runs totally on the electric engine and the ride is totally silent. It is so quiet it is eerie. You tend to forget you are in a car going down the highway. It seems as if you are in a comfortable room enjoying the superb 6-disc CD player and radio with absolutely no other sounds.

All gauges and controls are well placed, and visibility is excellent. Everything works with a smooth, fluid feel that one generally finds only on cars costing twice as much.

I'm sure the fuel mileage will be more than the EPA estimate. A similar Fusion hybrid got 81 miles per gallon on a 1000 mile test run a few months back. My 2006 I-4 (non-hybrid) gets between 27 and 31 miles per gallon in mixed driving and 38 on the highway. It is only rated 29 for the highway.

As a car enthusiast and mechanic, I'm tremendously impressed with the Fusion. I don't, as a general rule, like or recommend hybrids because of the expensive and highly toxic batteries. Next year Ford will be introducing a 230 horsepower EcoBoost 4 in the Fusion which will deliver mileage comparable to the hybrid (over 40mpg) without the dangerous and expensive batteries. It should be a real winner, but this hybrid version is the best hybrid I've ever seen. Ford definitely got everything right on it.