2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid Road Test Review

The Fusion Hybrid is hardly distinguishable from the conventionally powered Fusion, which means it still looks very good. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

has more than doubled with more expected to be on the way. Lucky for Ford, the 2011 Fusion Hybrid continues to be a very good car.

Ford hasn't had to do much to keep it current, with only a few minor trim related updates including standard 10-way power adjustable driver's and 4-way powered passenger seats, plus rain-sensing wipers as part of the Driver's Vision Group and a new Moons & Tunes package. Then again some might feel the 2011 Fusion Hybrid is less appealing now that the car's handy 110-volt electrical outlet has been deleted. Nevertheless, it continues forward as a very good green alternative.

While the Fusion Hybrid offers some available options and packages it's only available in one nicely outfitted trim level that's more or less equal to the conventionally powered Fusion's SEL trim. Therefore, along with the already standard base Fusion S features such as one-touch up/down powered windows, powered locks with keyless entry, powered mirrors, cruise control, tilt and telescopic steering, MyKey, AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio, speed-sensitive variable intermittent wipers, and a trip computer, not to mention

The Fusion Hybrid comes stock with 17-inch alloy wheels that help it corner well. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

standard safety features such as ABS-enhanced disc brakes, traction and stability control, tire pressure warning, and all the usual airbags, plus the Fusion SE features that include automatic headlamps, heated mirrors, wheel-mounted audio controls, fog lamps and more, the Fusion Hybrid comes equipped with automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, Sync wireless phone connectivity, Ford's exclusive exterior keypad locking system, an overhead console with storage, a compass, outside temperature display, a garage door opener, rear reading lamps, chrome side window mouldings, and 17-inch alloy wheels on P225/50R17 all-season tires. The only thing the Hybrid doesn't include from the regular Fusion's list is a folding rear seat as the rear bulkhead placement of the battery pack makes this impossible.

Running

Fusion interior looks ok until it lights up, at which point it's like a mobile XBOX. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

through that standard features list makes it easy to see that the Fusion Hybrid is a nice place to endure the commute, and truly the 10-way adjustable Eco-friendly cloth seats are comfortable. There are more soft-touch surfaces inside than some of its competitors too, and the general layout is pleasant if not particularly inspiring. That is, until you power it up and the dash lights up like a Christmas tree! OK, the leaves that grow up the instrument panel screen aren't really Christmas tree-like, looking more similar to an ivy vine than fir, spruce or pine needles, but it's a welcome bit of XBOX pizazz that makes saving energy more fun.

Yah, I remember a time when the most common "hyper-milers" were old men with fedoras and they weren't idling away from the stoplight to save gas, they were just painstakingly slow. Now it's young men (and women) in fedoras that are trying to eke every penny from their student loans, balancing slim

You can't see it from this angle, but hiding behind the right side of the wheel is thriving ivy vine. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

budgets, or just doing the "right thing" for the environment, and when you do the right thing in a Fusion Hybrid it rewards with the aforementioned graphics while simultaneously delivering stellar fuel economy equaling an estimated 4.6 L/100km in the city and 5.4 on the highway for best in 2011 midsize sedan class mileage. My personal rating is closer to the U.S. EPA estimates of around 6.0 L/100km combined, which is still very good.

And the Fusion Hybrid moves along at a decent clip when you've got to put your foot into it to make time, but I wouldn't exactly call its pace blistering. Behind that big chrome grille is 2.5-litre four-cylinder mated up to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and an electric motor that combine for 156 horsepower and 136 lb-ft of torque, and while that might sound low compared to some competitors

Navigation costs $2,100 more but adds a lot of brilliant colour and a 10-gig music jukebox. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

and even the Fusion's base 2.5-litre four-cylinder, it feels adequate enough off the line and safe enough during most passing maneuvers.

Likewise the stock 17-inch rims join a fully independent suspension for good handling characteristics balanced with a nice semi-firm ride. The Fusion Hybrid couldn't be called a sport sedan, but it takes to corners respectably while tracking very well at highway speeds.

Just the same I found myself (fedora firmly in place) doing my darnedest to provoke electric-only propulsion, something the Fusion Hybrid will do at lower speeds if you take off slowly enough. Yah, that's the new kind of four-wheel fun.

So does

Rear seat room is good as is trunk space, but those rear seatbacks won't fold forward. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

this mean we'll see a different kind of Ford Fusion Nascar racer in the future? Gentlemen, start your batteries. It's an intriguing thought.

The 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid starts at $29,699 plus $1,450 for destination charges, while leather can be added for an additional $1,225. The aforementioned Driver's Vision Package, at $1,300, adds the rain-sensing wipers, reverse sensing system, blind spot information and cross traffic alert, while the Moons & Tunes package adds a 12-speaker Sony audio system and a powered glass sunroof for $1,200 (available separately for $400 and $1,200 respectively… yah, I don't think too many people will order the sunroof on its own), whereas the big, bright navigation screen in my tester costs $2,100 and combines with DVD-audio and a 10-gig music jukebox.

Yes, it's time to don our fedoras and take to the road.©(Copyright Canadian Auto Press)]]>