Her and His Reviews
April 15, 2010
2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid
There are always two sides to everything, right? Well, the truth is there are many more than that!
To keep our car reviews innovative and well-rounded, we are providing you with not just one, but two points of view on the same exact vehicle –
Her and His perspectives.
Her: Anne Fleming, Car Buying Advocate,women-drivers.com
His: Chuck Kerber, Writer, AutomobileJournal.com
| Anne | Chuck |
|---|---|
| Price | |
| As Tested: $33,210. | As Tested: $33,210. |
| Performance | |
| 2.5 Liter In Line 4
155 Horsepower, 136 Pound Feet Torque 4-Wheel disc brakes with ABS and regenerative braking CVT Transmission Traction Control |
2.5 Liter In Line 4 155 Horsepower, 136 Pound Feet Torque CVT Transmission Don't hold onto your hat, acceleration is modest, but that's understandable; this is a hybrid after all. Ford claims this vehicle can operate at up to 47 MPH on the electric motor alone. If you need the extra power in a hurry, floor it- you can easily get up to speed when you need to. When traveling at low speeds, or stopped at a light, the engine is silent. Handling is quite good. The wheels hug the road, and steering is responsive. No "disconnect" feeling here, the big wheels keep the Fusion firmly planted on the pavement. 4-Wheel disc brakes with ABS and regenerative braking assure stopping power at low and high speeds. |
| Fuel Economy | |
| 41 City miles and 36 Highway miles
47 MPG exclusively on electric motor |
41 MPG City 36 MPG Highway
700 Mile city driving range -- Wow. |
| The Car | |
| The Fusion Hybrid is a great vehicle; a nice upgrade and love the affordable, full sized family car hybrid
As with all hybrids, there is still a delay when drivers engages accelerator; at a light or starting out in the morning. On the hills, it's more noticeable. Really comfortable leather seats with lumbar support Easy push button starter. Good organization and plenty of places for the families 'necessities'; cup holders abound. No fuss cap less gas-filler Dual zone, personalized climate control leaves everyone happy in the car |
The Fusion Hybrid is a nice car to drive. It's easy to navigate, and the controls are large, simple to read.
The seats in our test car were "eco-friendly" (whatever that means) and comfortable. Seat adjusters were within reach, and simple to operate. The AC blows plenty of cold air. The heat works very well also. There are plenty of cup holders for those longer trips. Rear seating room is adequate, but if you're taller than 5'10" you may want to be in the front seat. The exterior of the car is handsome, with nice lines and a shiny. |
| Safety | |
| Back up camera and monitor engages automatically when car is in reverse.
Advanced ESC Latch Child Safety System Tire Pressure Monitoring System Traction Control Side Air bags Curtain Air bags SOS Post Crash Alert System |
Advanced ESC
Latch Child Safety System Perimeter Alarm- this comes in handy when trying to back up, or park the vehicle. Securilock Pass Anti Theft System Tire Pressure Monitoring System Traction Control Side Air bags Curtain Air bags SOS Post Crash Alert System |
| Technology | |
| Sync phone and ipod connections are great for parents and all family members, especially when on longer trips
Navigation System with Voice Recognition was a plus. Another smart way to maintain both hands on the wheel. Really great Cross-traffic system alerts driver when cars are approaching from either direction. Moon and Tune Value Package A kick it out Sony Sound System with Voice Recognition with 12 speakers. Crystal clear listening to all including all my favorite Satellite XM stations. Heated leather seats throughout car; good neutral color. Love the 'heat in winter' and 'cool in summer' option for front seat drivers. Power moon roof Bluetooth |
Our car was loaded with *optional goodies that included:
Navigation System with Voice Recognition Cross Traffic Alert System Moon and Tune Value Package Sony Audio System with Voice Recognition and 12 speakers Power Moonroof Heated Leather Seats |
| Aesthetics & Styling | |
| The Ford Fusion Hybrid has clean exterior lines and design and the 17" alloy wheels add to look
The headlights in front, and contoured design and look from front to back, all work well. While the grill has a forward look, I still would like to see a slightly more aggressive grill than the 'venetian blind' appearance. The car is filled with such wonderful functional amenities on the inside, but where are the acumens and design language inside to mirror the exterior? For example, the position of the instrument panel below the Navigation screen didn't work for me. The icons for the heat and the air conditioner were so small I needed my readers to use. The leather seating and styling was great but the two tone combination of plastic of the dash simply left an unfinished look. What's with the ginormous button on the storage container on the dashboard? The good news? I don't need my readers for that. |
The Ford Fusion Hybrid is an attractive car on the outside. Aggressive exterior styling will appeal to young and older buyers.
The LCD screen on the dash shows small green leaves with bars that elevate when you're in eco mode, and getting the most out of the electric engine. Besides that, prepare to have your senses catastrophically assaulted! How can a company put together such an advanced Hybrid, and totally forget about refinements when it comes to the interior? Get ready for the same plastic components that were used in the old Fords. The textured plastic on the dash, the plastic-chrome finish on the shifter, and an obtrusive storage box on top of the dash are just a few of the design mistakes. |
| Warranty | |
| 3 year/36,000 miles bumper to bumper
5 year/60,000 powertrain |
3 year/36,000 miles bumper to bumper
5 year/60,000 powertrain |
| Non-tangibles / Other | |
|
The Ford Fusion Hybrid gets exceptional gas mileage; some of the best I've ever seen. If you can get past the somewhat lacking interior styling, you'll definitely be spending less time at the gas pump. |
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