2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid

Ford Fusion Hybrid

The Ford Fusion Hybrid has the typical hybrid performance characteristics, at least on paper. The Fusion Hybrid is one of our favorite gas-electric vehicles to drive. Better yet, Ford's innovative graphics and gauges egg drivers on to greener driving behavior. The Ford Fusion Hybrid gets its own 17-inch wheels, a standard 110-volt power outlet and recycled-material seats.

For 2011, the Ford Fusion Hybrid sees only a few minor standard equipment changes. Unlike hybrids that have gone before, the 2011 Fusion Hybrid is rewarding to drive thanks to relatively brisk acceleration and crisp handling.

Of course, the fundamental appeal of a hybrid car still remains within this Ford sedan. The EPA estimates you'll get 41 mpg city and 36 mpg highway, which is considerably better than the numbers posted by other midsize hybrid sedans that compete with the Fusion Hybrid.

As with the regular Fusion, the hybrid also boasts a spacious, well-finished cabin loaded with thoughtful luxury features. Highlights of the latter include dual-zone automatic climate control, rear park assist and Ford's superb Sync multimedia voice control system. As hybrid sedans go, the 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid is certainly one of our favorites. The only other hybrid sedan we'd recommend checking out is the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid is a midsize sedan available in a single trim level.

Standard equipment includes 17-inch alloy wheels, rear parking sensors, blind-spot mirrors, the My Key system (limits top speed and audio volume), a keyless-entry security code pad, automatic headlamps, fog lamps, cruise control, dual-zone automatic climate control, eight-way driver and six-way passenger power seats, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, eco-friendly cloth upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a specialized gauge cluster, the Ford Sync electronics interface (includes voice commands, Bluetooth and iPod control) and a six-speaker sound system with CD/MP3 player, satellite radio and steering-wheel controls.

The Ford Fusion Hybrid utilizes a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine that produces 156 hp and 136 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy is an EPA-estimated 41 mpg city/36 mpg highway and 39 mpg combined.

Safety
The 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid comes standard with antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, front-seat side airbags, side curtain airbags, My Key and rear parking sensors. A blind-spot warning system and rearview camera are optional. At the Edmunds test track, the Fusion Hybrid stopped from 60 mph in 126 feet, which is a short distance for a hybrid car on low-rolling-resistance tires.

The Ford Fusion Hybrid also earned four stars for rear side protection. The Fusion Hybrid's high-quality cabin features abundant soft-touch materials, and the overall look is austere but attractive. The Fusion Hybrid gets a distinctive gauge cluster dubbed Smart Gauge, featuring a pair of color display screens flanking a traditional speedometer. Interior storage space is adequate, although trunk capacity is compromised by the car's battery pack, which is typical of hybrid sedans.

Driving Impressions
Other than the Altima Hybrid (which is only sold in 11 states) and the new Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, the 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid is the most engaging hybrid sedan to drive; it's a car, not just a transportation pod.

The 2011 Ford Fusion carries over largely unchanged from the 2010 Fusion, which underwent revisions inside and out and added the 41-mpg Ford Fusion Hybrid. Should you wait for the 2012 Ford Fusion or buy a 2011 Fusion? Buying a 2012 Fusion, however, places you just one model-year away from the anticipated all-new 2013 Fusion. Styling: There are no styling changes for the 2011 Ford Fusion. On 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid models, the instrument cluster is interactive, animated by Ford’s EcoGuide. The 2011 Fusion SE and SEL models are again available with an optional 240-horsepower 3.0-liter V-6. All-wheel drive (AWD) is available on the 2011 Fusion SEL V-6 and Fusion Sport models. The 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid again pairs the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor to generate the equivalent of 191 horsepower.