2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid Griffin GA
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2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid
November 18, 2009 By Brian Alexander, Content Editor
2010 Ford Fusion
DriverSide Overview
The 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid wants you to plant a tree. In its dash. What? You read that right, a tree in the dash of a car. Not a real tree, mind you, but a digital one that sprouts leaves depending on the economical nature (get it?) of your driving habits. Drive aggressively around town, mostly on the gasoline engine and your tree will flounder, growing but a few leaves. Drive sensibly and patiently on electric power and it will flourish as if it’s just come off a Miracle-Gro bender. That’s right, the Fusion Hybrid rates how “green” of a driver you are. This is but a small part of the Fusion Hybrid’s exclusive EcoGuide LCD digital dash , a dynamic display system that informs drivers of hybrid and gasoline drivetrain information through varying levels of complexity, based on driver preference. Using EcoGuide, drivers can maximize fuel economy and achieve well above the vehicle’s estimated 37 mpg city and 39 mpg highway. Couple this with a Fusion that no longer lacks in the style department thanks to a redesigned interior featuring Ford’s advanced navigation system and a Sony-sourced audio system, and you’ve got one hot hybrid. This time around, the Fusion just might appeal to a wider audience.
What's to Like
EcoGuide is instantly impressive due to its crisp, brightly lit LCD screens – it really looks like the dash of the future. Interior quality has been substantially improved over the old model, and gone is the wonky center console and bargain bin plastics. And, of course, Ford’s next-generation navigation system continues to impress.
What's Not to Like
As we’ve known for some time, hybrid technology commands a price premium over standard gasoline powertrains, and the Fusion Hybrid weighs in at almost $3,300 more than a comparably equipped Fusion SEL. We’re normally all for form taking priority over function, but if that means we have to live with the Fusion Hybrid’s ugly wheels, we might have to change our policy.
The Drive:
DriverSide Driving Impressions
You don’t so much drive the Fusion Hybrid as you watch its pretty EcoGuide screens and hope you don’t hit something. Sure, every once in a while our eyes actually caught a glimpse of the road ahead, but for the most part we remained fixated on EcoGuide’s thresholds, trying to stay in EV mode as often as possible. That proved more difficult a proposition than we first guessed, because the Fusion is more comfortable accelerating on the gasoline engine and then cruising on electric power – something it’s capable of doing up to 47 mph, a current industry-leading top EV speed. Overall its 191 total system horsepower, 3720 lb curb weight and cushy suspension make it a somewhat timid driver, but it will get you where you need to go comfortably despite ...