2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid
MSRP $28,340
The Ford Fusion Hybrid comes in one trim level: the base. It is a midsize sedan, and it has easy to understand upgrade packages for those wanting a little bit of luxury. It doesn’t really drive like you would expect a hybrid to drive; it has a little bit of sporty spirit to it while retaining a more sedan-like ride.
The Fusion Hybrid has a 2.5 liter, 4-cylinder engine that puts out 156 horsepower. It adds an electric engine that puts out another 35 horsepower for a total of 191. It has 17-inch alloy wheels, front wheel drive, and a continuously variable transmission. It is rated at 41 mpg in the city and 36 on the highway. This indicates that the electric engine shoulders a lot of the load during slower city driving.
The Fusion includes a lot of nice features. It has a leather-wrapped, tilt-telescope steering wheel, environmentally-friendly cloth upholstery, 6-way power passenger seat, 8-way power driver seat, 2-zone automatic climate control, cruise control, keyless entry, and the Ford MyKey system that allows you to limit both speed and stereo volumes for your teenager.
The Fusion also has the Ford Sync electronics interface that provides voice commands and bluetooth, and a 6-speaker audio system with CD/MP3 player, satellite radio, and an iPod interface.
The Fusion has anti-lock brakes, traction and stability controls, side front airbags, and side curtain airbags. It also has rear parking sensors and the aforementioned MyKey system. It performed very well in crash tests, getting 5 stars for front seat testing and 4 stars for rear side impacts.
Conclusions and driver feedback:
The Fusion is one of the “new generation” of hybrids. Hybrids aren’t just for “tree-huggers” anymore, and are being marketed to the mainstream buyer. Ford, along with a few other companies, has figured out that slapping the word “green” on a bare-bones auto won’t compete anymore. Consequently, the Fusion Hybrid comes with a more competitive price tag and a lot of features that make it a more engaging car than “old school” hybrids.
The interior is both spacious and attractive. The cabin materials are mostly soft-touch, and the SmartGauge cluster is unique and well-conceived. The interior manages to both look and work better than previous Fusions. There is plenty of space in both the front and rear seats. The Fusion provides a very comfortable, engaging ride for driver and passengers alike.
Related posts:
- 2011 Ford Escape Hybrid (Base) Review, Cheapest Price & Specs
- 2011 Toyota Prius III Hybrid Review, Cheapest Price, Photos & Specs
- 2011 Toyota Camry Hybrid Review, Cheapest Price & Specs
- Best Discount Price On 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid – Dealer Special Pricing (Florida)
- 2011 Ford Mustang Convertible V6 Review, Cheapest Price & Specs
