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http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/AmericanFlag.jpg 2010 Ford Fusion receives excellent rating and now on par with the Camry Hybrid. (cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?p=225714)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/2010_Ford_Fusion_Hybrid_News.jpgWayne Gerdes - CleanMPG (cleanmpg.com) - Aug. 3, 2009

2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid - $27,200 to start, $1,700 Tax Credit available until 09/30 and 39 mpgUS combined on the 08 EPA.

The new 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid is now Consumer Reports' top-rated domestic sedan. Essentially tied with the Toyota Camry Hybrid, the Fusion Hybrid achieved an excellent 34 mpg overall in CR's fuel economy test and offers far sportier driving.

The newly freshened four- and six-cylinder versions of the Ford Fusion family sedan are much improved and now compete with the best models in the category. All three versions were quieter and more refined than previous versions.

Consumer Reports also tested four- and six-cylinder versions of the freshened Kia Optima in its tests of family sedans in the September issue.

"The new Fusions are very impressive especially the Hybrid," said David Champion, senior director of CR's Auto Test Center. "The Hybrid successfully blends excellent fuel economy with driving pleasure, something all other hybrids have failed to do. All have a comfortable ride, agile handling, and the innovative display on the Hybrid encourages frugal driving."

Prices ranged from $20,365 for the four-cylinder Optima to $32,360 for the Fusion Hybrid, which included a $5,000 package that added navigation, leather seats, a moonroof and other options. All of the cars in this group are Recommended based on test scores and the cars' previous reliability history. CR only Recommends vehicles that have performed well in its tests, have at least average predicted reliability based on CR's Annual Car Reliability Survey of its more than seven million print and web subscribers, and performed at least adequately if crash-tested or included in a government rollover test.

Family Sedans

The Ford Fusion Hybrid's ride is supple and controlled, with good isolation from bumps. The Fusion Hybrid, ($32,360 Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price as tested, base hybrids start at about $28,000), is powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with electric motor that combine for 191 hp and delivers 34 mpg overall and can be propelled up to 47 mph on electricity alone in CR's own fuel economy tests. The CVT transmission performs smoothly. Braking is Very Good. The interior is well-finished. Due to the battery pack, the Hybrid's trunk is smaller than the non-Hybrid's and its seats do not fold down.

Although CR’s is not what some of us would consider a reliable source when it comes to automobiles, they do place a lot of eyes on target and in the case of the Fusion Hybrid, they nailed it.

Nice to hear the Ford Fusion and Ford Fusion Hybrid get a great review from Consumer Reports. Ford has been on my radar for my next vehicle purchase, but that may be a couple of years away since I recently bought my brother's 2002 Honda Accord and still have a '99 Ford Ranger, which is still running great. Ford has turned around their quality and it's only a matter of time before the public's perception turns around too. I can see Ford overtaking GM in vehicle sales and possibly trail Toyota only slightly.

Would you rather have the Fusion Hybrid or Insight Hybrid at about 75k miles?

nf

Personally? I'd rather have the FFH.

Hi NoFlash:

___Fusion Hybrid for me too ;)

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Fusion for me too.

with those choices FFH me too

Wait, the classic Insight or the new one? :p I'd still take the Ford Fusion Hybrid - I *do* have to think of the family...

I took it to mean the second generation Insight. :o

Would you rather have the Fusion Hybrid or Insight Hybrid at about 75k miles?

nf

That's a really tough call for me. Neither one really fits my needs in a vehicle.

However, I'm pretty sure the FFH would get the nod assuming it's the Insight II.

All thats wrong is the price! :)

That's a really tough call for me. Neither one really fits my needs in a vehicle.

However, I'm pretty sure the FFH would get the nod assuming it's the Insight II.

It is a tough call. And I didn't mean price was no option. The Insight is still $10k cheaper.

I know "word-on-the-street" is that Ford's quality is stellar, but I'm not convinced.

I read the long term car reviews and I still don't think Ford can hold a candle to Honda reliability-wise.

I have a coworker who went out on a limb and got a loaded 2008 Milan (same a Fusion) -- and he's on his third Nav/Synch system.

My Honda runs like a clock (knock on wood) and every non-CR review gave the Insight a great review.

If it were my money I'd go with the Insight. (I don't use the back seat of my HCHII anyway!)

Cheers, nf

Hi NF:

___Once you drive one, your HCH-II and especially an Insight-II will not be the vehicle of choice for long... Reliability wise, the one item that worries me about the HCH-II and Insight is the CVT. Belt and Cones are going to go eventually while HSD/eCVT systems are pretty much bulletproof.

___Add to it the larger size, quieter ride, better handling and ability to absolutely decimate the EPA around town and just about equal on the highway (both with good drivers behind the wheel), it is not even close.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

And the FFH is way easier to 3-up carseats across the back row than the Insight-II!

And yes, I DID actually do it.

And the FFH is way easier to 3-up carseats across the back row than the Insight-II!

And yes, I DID actually do it.

Awesome! This is relevant to my efforts to get the wife to drive one of these as her next vehicle. :D

What did you think of the trunk space? Enough for a stroller plus gear for a weekend away (at the cabin for me, so a cooler, toys, and clothing)?

Well, truth be told, I won't be leaving my HCHII for either of those cars anytime soon.

I'm just glad they're available.

nf

Awesome! This is relevant to my efforts to get the wife to drive one of these as her next vehicle. :D

What did you think of the trunk space? Enough for a stroller plus gear for a weekend away (at the cabin for me, so a cooler, toys, and clothing)?

Trunk is TALL and pretty wide, but not so deep. I'd say I could put a double stroller, a mid-size cooler, and a "toy bin" about the size of the cooler in it - with some room (especially if you are good at Tetris!!). If you are talking single stroller, then you'd have plenty of space.

Just was out with a co-worker in one today again - she may seriously be buying. I drove the warm-up hit, and explained things to her. She got in and 3 adults, A/C blaring, pulled 44 MPG at 45 MPH with ZERO hypermiling!

I want one. Or two. Whichever comes first.:Banane59:

Hi Nevyn:

___Pulling 44 mpg in the 39 mpg rated Fusion is 100% Hypermiling.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Great info -- thanks, Nevyn! I only got a brief glance at the trunk when I was having my friend show his to my wife and she was turned off by the lack of depth. I thought it would probably still be plenty big enough for what we need (heck, I'm pretty sure it would fit me and some other stuff in there!) but wasn't sure.

Stack 'em up. They'll fit. If you have a friend with an FFH, have them come over. Pack all your gear, and make it fit - that's the only way to prove it for sure.