Midsize Sedan "Ford Fusion Hybrid 2010

By Andrew Ganz

Ford isn’t quite putting all of its eggs in one basket with the Fusion, but it sure is coming close. The midsize sedan that the automaker hopes will keep it afloat in the long-term offers an unprecedented choice of four powertrain options – a huge range of available engines for a volume model. The most technologically advanced of which is the Fusion Hybrid, which was recently certified at 41 mpg in the city, according to the EPA.
With the lofty expectations of greater than 40 mpg around town in consumer use, the Fusion Hybrid is poised to be the first hybrid to truly bring high levels of efficiency into the workaday sedan market.

Sure, the Toyota Prius is a hot seller, but it’s an emotionally charged vehicle (no pun intended) that forces some sacrifices as a daily driver. The Fusion Hybrid, however, is a no-comprimises, high-efficiency sedan that looks and feels just like its gas-only brothers.

Did Ford succeed? Read on.
What is it?Ford redesigned the Fusion for 2010 – take a look at our recent full-line review. The Fusion Hybrid is the regular lineup’s frugal brother, powered by a gasoline/electric hybrid powertrain and a continuously variable automatic transmission.
Rather than go down the mild hybrid route like General Motors did with the Chevy Malibu Hybrid, Ford attempted to maximize mainstream efficiency. The Fusion Hybrid features few aero-enhancing and eye-catching add-ons, but it promises 41 mpg around town – as verified by the EPA’s watchdogs.

The Fusion Hybrid is mechanically identical to the Mercury Milan Hybrid. We also recently reviewed all three gas-only powertrains in the standard ‘10 Fusion.
What’s it up against?Fusion guns straight at the Toyota Camry Hybrid, but we’d also expect some green car shopping against the Nissan Altima Hybrid, Chevy Malibu Hybrid and the Saturn Aura Hybrid.
Given its no-compromises comfort and practicality, Ford sure hopes some Toyota Priuses (Prii?)(will wind up on Ford dealer used car lots.
Any breakthroughs?The Fusion Hybrid achieves its high in-town fuel economy thanks to a 106-horsepower permanent magnet AC synchronous motor that can motor the Fusion up to 47 miles per hour without deferring to the traditional gas-drinking 156-horse 2.5-liter Atkinson cycle four-cylinder.

Inside, Ford is heavily touting the Fusion’s SmartGuage cluster, an LCD gauge cluster designed to help drivers be more informed – and to drive more efficiently.
How does it look?With the exception of unique wheels, hybrid badges and an aero-enhanced molding around each fog lamp, the Fusion Hybrid looks and feels exactly like its gas-only siblings. That’s pretty bold in today’s world of hybrids with unique bodykits and stickers designed to cheat aerodynamics – and attract attention.

The ‘10 Fusion is a tasteful update of its predecessor and it features the best integration of Ford’s’ three-bar corporate grille we’ve seen yet. Early adaptations, particularly the first-generation Fusion, never sat well with us. Ford’s designers have had time to smooth out the details and better integrate the style and it shows.

Hybrid-specific wheels not only look pretty good, they help to reduce drag. Interestingly, Ford chose not to specify low rolling resistance tires for the Fusion Hybrid. Not only does this help keep the initial purchase price down, it means that buyers won’t have to seek out special tires when it comes time for replacement in order to keep with the original equipment specifications.
And inside?Again, Fusion Hybrid deviates little from the rest of the lineup. That means it gets the same tasteful interior covered in high-quality plastics throughout - a real improvement over the previous generation.

There are still a handful of low-buck bits that we would have changed – namely the dash-top-mounted storage bin and the center console plastic, but overall Ford has done an admirable job of imitating Volkswagen materials and switchgear quality with a homegrown design.
Ford’s SmartGuage system makes its debut in the Fusion Hybrid, though the automaker says it’ll make it into future hybrids, as well.

Essentially a pair of wide, high-resolution LCD displays flanking a centrally-mounted speedometer, SmartGuage allows drivers to tailor the amount of information they want displayed, ranging from just basic fuel level and battery charge all the way up to a detailed display that shows where power is being distributed down to the draw from accessories. The menuing system is elaborate but fairly simple to operate. We wouldn’t recommend playing with it while moving since the fonts are small.

On the right screen, the system features Ford’s EcoGuide, a whimsical tutorial designed to help Fusion operators drive more efficiently. As you continue driving, you “build” a forest of leaves – the more leaves, the more efficiently you’re driving. We’ll admit we were skeptical of the system when Ford first unveiled it, but after using it during a brief drive at the vehicle’s media launch, we found ourselves trying to build the biggest forest we could. Al Gore would love it.
(Our test cars provided by Ford had the passenger airbags disabled pending final programming, hence the airbag lights).

We recommended that the virtual forest be season-themed: Snow-covered leaves in the winter and multi-color foliage in the fall.
But does it go?We couldn’t quite hit 47 miles per hour in just electric mode, but we came very close. Ford set up an urban route for journalists and, with Ford’s Hybrid Applications Manager, Gil Portalatin riding shotgun, this author was able to achieve an impressive 42.9 mpg over a 40 mile route.

Granted, that was babying the throttle, driving with the air conditioning and accessories off and relying heavily on the Fusion Hybrid’s regenerative breaking to charge the battery. Unlike some hybrids, the Fusion’s brakes are easy to modulate and have a natural feel, despite the generation system.

In more normal driving, we were able to achieve upper-30s in urban driving – but that included a couple of gas-guzzling throttle applications to truly test out the Fusion Hybrid’s capabilities.
From all speeds, the Fusion Hybrid accelerates fairly briskly. Its two engines combine for a total of 191 horsepower, more than enough to move the 3,720 lb. sedan without any struggle. The CVT is not intrusive and seemed to keep power on tap at all times without heavy revving of the motor like some CVTs we’ve experienced will do.

Fusion Hybrid features a 275 volt sealed Ni-MH battery mounted behind the rear seats (which don’t fold).
We noticed only the slightest thump from the powertrain when the gasoline engine would cut in or out – less than we’ve experienced in the Toyota Prius or Ford’s Escape hybrid. We also applauded the reduction of the high-pitched electric engine whir that plagued previous generations of the Escape.

The Fusion Hybrid features the same electric power steering that Ford has installed in every version of the Fusion bar the performance-oriented 3.5-liter Sport model. It provides similarly reasonable feel that combines with a taut suspension and stiff chassis to give the Fusion better-than-average handling. Suspension upgrades for 2010 have given all Fusions, including the Hybrid, a composed and upscale ride befitting a much more expensive sedan that is unparalleled in this segment.

Why You Would Buy It:You’re looking for maximum efficiency without the stigma or compromises of the Toyota Prius.
Why You Wouldn’t:You think $1.50-a-gallon is here to stay.Leftlane’s bottom line
The Fusion Hybrid is an ideal marketing tool for Ford’s impending financial recovery. A product-led renaissance needs a halo vehicle for its mainstream lineup and Fusion Hybrid delivers – especially based on the numbers. To be able to market a vehicle capable of greater than 40 mpg in the city driving most urban and suburban drivers experience on a daily basis must be a dream come true for Ford’s marketing team. Fortunately, the hybrid powertrain is wrapped in a pretty darn good sedan that might have you second-guessing its blue-oval badge.

2009 Ford Fusion Hybrid base price, $27,270.

Latest Honda Insight Hybrid 2010 Features

2010 Honda Insight EX Hatchback Performance & Efficiency Standard Features

-1,339 cc 1.3 liters in-line 4 front engine with 73.0 mm bore, 80.0 mm stroke, 10.8 compression ratio, overhead cam, variable valve timing/camshaft and two valves per cylinder
-Electric fuel with additional unleaded 87
-Multi-point injection fuel system
- 10.6 gallon main unleaded fuel tank 8.8
- Power: 73 kW , 98 HP SAE @ 5,800 rpm; 123 ft lb , 167 Nm @ 1,000 rpm 13, 10, 58 and 79

2010 Honda Insight EX Hatchback Handling, Ride & Braking Standard Features

- Four-wheel ABS
- Two disc brakes including two ventilated discs
- Electronic brake distribution
- Electronic traction control via ABS & engine management
- Immobilizer
- Spacesaver steel rim internal spare wheel
- Stability control
- Strut front suspension independent with stabilizer bar and coil springs, torsion beam rear suspension semi-independent with stabilizer bar and coil springs

2010 Honda Insight EX Hatchback Exterior & Aerodynamics Standard Features

- color front and rear bumpers
- Day time running lights
- Driver and passenger power heated body color door mirrors indicator lights
- External dimensions: overall length (inches): 172.3, overall width (inches): 66.7, overall height (inches): 56.2, wheelbase (inches): 100.4, front track (inches): 58.7, rear track (inches): 58.1 and curb to curb turning circle (feet): 36.1
- Projector beam lens halogen bulb headlights
- Metallic paint
- Fixed rear window with defogger and intermittent
- Tinted glass on cabin, rear and side
- Weights: curb weight (lbs) 2,734
- Windshield wipers with variable intermittent wipe

2010 Honda Insight EX Hatchback Interior Standard Features

- 12v power outlet: front and 1
- Air conditioning with climate control
- Roof antenna
- Peripheral anti-theft protection
- Audio system with AM/FM and CD player CD player reads MP3 and digital media card
- Automatic drive indicator on dashboard
- Cargo area light
- Cargo capacity: all seats in place (cu ft): 15.9
- Clock
- Compass
- Computer with average speed, average fuel consumption, instantaneous fuel consumption and for remaining fuel
- Full dashboard console with open storage box, full floor console with covered storage box
- Delayed/fade courtesy lights
- Cruise control
- Front seats and rear seats cup holders fixed
- Door ajar warning
- Door pockets/bins for driver seat and passenger seat
- Nickel metal hydride electric Power source
- External temperature
- Driver front airbag with multi-stage deployment, passenger front airbag with occupant sensors and multi-stage deployment
- Bucket driver seat with height adjustment, bucket passenger seat
- Height adjustable 3-point reel front seat belts on driver seat and passenger seat with pre-tensioners
- seat center armrest
- Two height adjustable active head restraints on front seats, three height adjustable head restraints on rear seats
- Illuminated entry system
- Internal dimensions: front headroom (inches): 38.4, rear headroom (inches): 35.9, front hip room (inches): 51.6, rear hip room (inches): 48.7, front leg room (inches): 42.3, rear leg room (inches): 33.5, front shoulder room (inches): 52.7, rear shoulder room (inches): 50.4 and interior volume (cu ft): 85.0
- Low tire pressure indicator
- Navigational systems : information type: voice and touch screen controls DVD, color and 6.5
- Remote power locks includes trunk/hatch and speed sensing
- Power steering
- Front power windows with one one-touch, rear power windows
- Front reading lights
- 3-point reel rear seat belts on driver side, passenger side and center side
-Three asymmetrical bench front facing rear seats with zero adjustments
- Rear view mirror
- Steering wheel mounted remote audio controls
- Front and rear side curtain airbag
- Front seat back storage
- Cloth seat upholstery with additional cloth
- Seating: five seats
- Service interval indicator
- Front side airbag with occupant sensors-
Six speaker(s)
- Plastic multi-function steering wheel with tilt adjustment and telescopic adjustment
- Tachometer
- Driver and passenger vanity mirror
- Ventilation system with micro filter
- Voice activating system

Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid "negligible hybrid benefits"

Introduction

The 2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid manages to be both a success and a failure. As a midsize sedan, the Malibu is a success thanks to its handsome styling, solid driving dynamics and spacious, comfortable cabin. But the hybrid version is what's called a "mild" hybrid. And like a tofu burger or near-beer, it's simply not as good as the real thing.
To clarify, a full hybrid has the ability to run on electric power alone at speeds up to 25 mph or so. As such, it is able to get impressive fuel mileage, especially in stop-and-go traffic and city driving (the driving situations that are the worst for a gas engine's fuel efficiency). However, the Malibu hybrid's "mild" status means that its electric motor isn't really used for propelling the car on its own -- its primary purpose is starting the engine when it automatically shuts off to save fuel at traffic lights or other stopping situations.
Granted, the Malibu Hybrid's four-kilowatt electric motor/generator can actually move the car on its own up to a dizzying 3 mph, but that's essentially useless in terms of increasing fuel economy. To put it into perspective, the Camry Hybrid's 30-kilowatt unit can propel it up to 30 mph.
Furthermore, the Malibu Hybrid's performance isn't as good as real hybrids. When maximum power is called for, its electric motor assists the gas engine, but the added boost is minimal as it adds a mere 5 horsepower to the cause. That doesn't compare too favorably to the Toyota, whose muscular electric motor kicks in an additional 40 horses when needed. Another bummer is that the Malibu Hybrid's overall fuel economy rates just a few mpg better than the standard four-cylinder Malibu.
With a base price around $25,000, the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid is only about $1,000 less expensive than the Camry Hybrid and Nissan Altima Hybrid (which shares the Toyota's hybrid technology), both of which are also cleaner in terms of emissions ratings. If price and the environment are priorities, the Toyota Prius remains the best bet, by being both cheaper and incredibly fuel efficient while offering an impressive amount of passenger and cargo space. It's also a tad quicker than the Malibu and offers more luxury features.
Despite how impressive the regular 2009 Chevy Malibu is, the Hybrid version leaves us cold. General Motors says that its full-fledged "two-mode" hybrid system will eventually make its way into the Malibu. It can't arrive fast enough.

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The 2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid is a midsize sedan available in one trim level. Standard features include 17-inch alloy wheels, full power accessories, cruise control, keyless entry, automatic climate control, a tilt-telescoping steering wheel, power height adjustment for the driver seat and a six-speaker stereo with CD/MP3 player, auxiliary audio jack and satellite radio.
The few available options include a six-way power driver seat and a sunroof.
For more Style information, see our Compare Styles page.

Powertrains and Performance
The Malibu Hybrid features a small electric motor that starts the 164-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine and adds a small boost of power under high-load conditions. Hybrids aren't expected to be quick, but with a 0-60-mph time of around 11 seconds, the Malibu is much slower than the Camry and Altima hybrids. Even the Prius is quicker.
Unlike other hybrid setups, the Malibu's offers full electric propulsion only up to about 3 mph, whereas the Altima and Camry hybrids can get up to almost 30 mph. Consequently, city gas mileage is only a bit better than the standard four-cylinder Malibu. EPA fuel economy ratings for this year's updated Hybrid model stand at 26 mpg city/34 mpg highway and 29 mpg combined.

Safety
Standard safety features on the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid include antilock disc brakes, stability control, traction control and OnStar. Front-seat side and full-length side curtain airbags are also standard.
In government crash testing, the Malibu Hybrid scored five stars (the highest possible) in both frontal- and side-impact tests. In Insurance Institute for Highway Safety testing, the (similar) non-hybrid four-cylinder Malibu scored the best rating of "Good" for both frontal-offset and side-impact protection.

Interior Design and Special Features
While its value as a hybrid is debatable, the Chevy Malibu scores big style points inside and out. The dual-cowl dash design is certainly eye-catching, while buyers have a pair of classy two-tone color schemes to choose from: gray/lighter gray and brown/tan. Although there's still some cheap plastic trim here and there, overall the Malibu is a vast improvement over past Chevy models and also better than its platform twin, the Saturn Aura hybrid.
Firmly supportive front seats make for comfortable 500-mile days behind the wheel, and the controls for the audio and climate control systems are simple to use. With its long wheelbase, the Malibu offers generous amounts of legroom for rear passengers, though the seat lacks a center armrest and the sloping roof line may impinge on headroom for tall folks. Unlike other hybrid sedans, the Malibu's trunk is not compromised by large battery packs, and it holds a maximum of 15.1 cubic feet of luggage.

Driving Impressions
The 2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid doesn't offer the regular model's level of sporty handling. Most people don't expect their hybrid to handle like a sport sedan, so bigger concerns are that the Malibu trails its rivals in terms of acceleration and braking. On the upside, the Malibu Hybrid provides the same comfortable, hushed ride as the non-hybrid version.

Hybrid Cars Add Ons You May Need

Hybrid cars were not created equal. Some produce more power. Some are designed for maximum fuel efficiency. Some are built for city driving; others are made to turn heads. Most have unique features that further improve the quality of driving and fuel economy. When you are shopping for one, take note of the following features.

Regenerative braking system. In conventional gasoline-powered cars, all the kinetic energy (energy in motion) is lost and wasted during braking. Hybrid cars recapture this kinetic energy through the regenerative braking system back to the battery for future use. The regenerative braking system increases fuel economy and reduces wear to the brakes.

Low-rolling resistance tires. Tires are often not seen as a major factor in increasing the fuel economy. But in hybrid cars, they use low-rolling resistance tires to improve gas mileage. These stiffer, narrower, and inflated tires reduce the drag against the ground.

Fuel economy. Not all hybrids are fuel efficient. Some are made to perform. And even if the hybrids are made to get the longest miles out of every gallon of gas, some are still better than others. For example, the Ford Escape Hybrid runs 34 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on highway. Toyota Prius runs 48 mpg in the city and 45 mpg on highway. The Honda Civic Hybrid runs 40 mpg in the city and 45 mpg on highway. When choosing what hybrid car to buy, take note of these differences.

Periodic engine shut off. Idling consumes fuel too. So, most hybrid cars automatically turn off its combustion engine temporarily during stops. A hybrid car with this feature is most ideal if you drive in stop-and-go traffic most of the time.

Smaller and more efficient engine. Logically, the car does not actually need a V6 or a V8 in order to run because most of the time, your car only requires 20 hp to move. The extra horsepower is only needed during acceleration. This is the reason why hybrid cars are so efficient. They use smaller engines.

Safety, Comfort, and Space. These are 3 issues that are questionable to hybrid cars. In general, hybrid cars are as safe, as comfortable, and as spacious as their non-hybrid counterpart. But if you are more concerned about not getting these 3 in a hybrid car, you should not have a problem. There are several hybrid cars on the market today that focus on these 3 areas.