Car Review – The 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid
Leading the Pack in Hybrid Technology
The all new Ford Fusion Hybrid incorporates the latest in Hybrid technology, creating a lighter electric battery that significantly reduces vehicle weight and helps to deliver greater fuel economy. Ford boasts that the Fusion Hybrid can get up to 47 mile-per-gallon in Electric Vehicle (EV) mode and up go up to 700 miles city driving on a single tank of gas. Car and Driver states, “Shock! Ford beats the Japanese at their own game”
Manufacturers suggest list price (MSRP) starts at $27,995. There is also a Federal Hybrid Tax Credit that currently is worth $1,700 on the Fusion, but the credit will be cut in half after October 1, 2009 and phased out completely April 1, 2010. There’s also Cash for Clunkers program that could get you another $4,500 in additional savings.
Fusion Hybrid Features
The Fusion Hybrid has new body styling as well an all-new interior from the previous model year Fusion’s. The sporty new look will attract the sports car enthusiast as well as consumers looking for a fuel-efficient four-door sedan. For the family orientated consumer, the Fusion has seating for five and will comfortably fit four adults. The stylish new interior has an abundance of standard equipment to make the ride more enjoyable.
Standard Equipment
- 2.5L in-line 4 cylinder gasoline engine DOHC
- Hydride electric motor battery
- Front wheel drive with a continuously variable transmission
- Four-wheel independent suspension
- Instrumentation includes tachometer, compass, clock, and trip meter
- 17” alloy wheels with V rated tires
- Cloth seats, 8-way drivers seat, 6-way front passengers seat
- Keyless entry keypad
- Power windows and door locks, power heated outside mirrors
- Electrochromatic inside rearview mirror
- Cruise control, tilt steering wheel, power steering
- Dual zone climate control
- Dual illuminating mirrors in visors
- Filtered fresh air vents
- AM/FM 6 CD MP3 in dash player with 6-speakers
- Sirius satellite radio with 6 months free subscription
- Bluetooth wireless phone connection and audio playback
Optional Equipment
- Voice activated navigation system
- Leather seating with heated front seats
- Reverse sensing system
- Rearview camera
- Sony audio system upgrade with 12-speaker system
Before Purchasing a Hybrid
It’s important before purchasing a Hybrid to understand how a Hybrid works. The electric motor that propels the vehicle only power’s the vehicle at lower speeds. At higher speeds the gasoline engine powers the vehicle.
If the Hybrid is frequently driven at freeway speeds, the fuel mileage savings isn’t as great. The Ford Fusion actually gets better fuel mileage in the city then it does on the highway, 41-mpg city and 36-mpg highway. As a comparison the non-Hybrid Fusion with a 4-cylinder engine and automatic transmission gets 34-mpg on the highway and 23-mpg in the city.
2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid
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