Ford Fusion Makes The Hybrid Experience Complete

A dramatic uptick in electric and hybrid vehicle demand in the past year, after nearly 18 years of market weakness stuck at around 3 percent of total car sales, begs the question … might this ramp up been different if a car like the Ford Fusion Hybrid had led the way?

While casting no shade on the success of the Toyota Prius line and sales, technology standouts like the all-electric Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt, Ford has been particularly good at matching alt drive-trains with a winning model. In fact, the first Ford Hybrid Escape was a double tap because it also led the field in the coming small SUV boom.

A recent weekend test-drive from Philadelphia to Bath, Maine proved the handsome Ford Fusion sedan ticks off many must haves. For the long drive the spacious interior, nicely appointed with upgraded leather seating and a convenient and intuitive high-tech array converging in an 8” center display screen, are notable pluses. The adaptive cruise control for example allowed a several hour stretch of highway driving without any driver braking or acceleration intervention.

Though not as quick as the class leader, the combined 188 horsepower Ford Fusion offers energetic response paired with comfortable and confident handling and 42 mpg combined mileage starting at $25,000.

Ford Fusion Specs

MPG: 43 city / 41 highway
MSRP: From $25,785
Fuel tank capacity: 14 gal
Battery: 1.4 kWh lithium-ion
Horsepower: 188 hp

Models
S $25,785
SE $26,590
Titanium $31,120
Platinum $37,130