Overview & Reviews

For the most part, the pickings in the midsize hybrid sedan segment are fairly mundane. One exception is the Ford Fusion Hybrid, a sedan that offers better fuel economy than its main competitors while also being more enjoyable to drive.

Though driving enjoyment typically isn't high on the list of a hybrid buyer's list of priorities, the Fusion Hybrid delivers an unusually lively experience behind the wheel. If you're shopping for a new or used hybrid-powered sedan, this Ford should definitely be near the top of your list. Its unusual combination of solid driving dynamics and superior fuel economy, along with its good looks, comfortable ride and accommodating interior, makes it easy to recommend.

Current Ford Fusion Hybrid
The Ford Fusion Hybrid is a midsize four-door sedan that's available in three trim levels: S, SE and Titanium. There is also the plug-in, extended-range version, called the Fusion Energi, which is reviewed separately.

The hybrid powertrain consists of a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine working in concert with an electric motor and a lithium-ion battery pack. All told, there's 188 horsepower on tap along with impressive EPA fuel economy estimates of 47 mpg in all three cycles: city, highway and combined.

Standard equipment highlights on the S include 17-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, the voice-activated Sync audio/cell phone interface and a sound system with a CD player and USB/iPod interface. The SE adds a keyless entry keypad, a power driver seat, a rear seat center armrest, satellite radio and numerous options. The Titanium's highlights include 18-inch alloy wheels, remote start, keyless ignition and entry, leather upholstery, heated front sport seats, a power passenger seat, the MyFord Touch electronics interface (with configurable gauge displays), a rearview camera and an upgraded audio system. Key options include a navigation system, adaptive cruise control, automated parking assist and blind-spot detection.

In reviews, this Fusion Hybrid impressed us with its athletic handling and communicative steering that provides a more engaging driving experience than you'd expect from a fuel sipper. At the same time, the ride is supple over bumps and ruts, the cabin is supremely quiet and Ford has made strides in making braking effort seem more natural: a previous complaint with the Fusion and indeed many hybrids. And while the trunk is compromised by the presence of its battery pack, the remaining space is more useful than that of rival hybrid sedans. If there is a primary drawback, it's that Ford's electronic interfaces are less unintuitive than other systems.

Used Ford Fusion Hybrid Models
The current, second-generation Ford Fusion Hybrid was introduced for 2013. All told, Ford managed to take all the attributes of the previous Fusion Hybrid -- notably, excellent fuel economy, sharp styling, sporty handling, a smooth ride and plenty of handy features – and bolster it with more dramatic exterior styling, improved driving dynamics and the latest in electronics and features. These Fusion Hybrids are identical to the latest version with a few minor exceptions. Specifically, they lack the availability of the S trim level, inflatable rear seatbelts, a heated steering wheel and ventilated front seats.

The first-generation Ford Fusion Hybrid debuted for the 2010 model year and ran through 2012. It was a midsize sedan that employed a 2.5-liter inline-4 gasoline engine paired with an electric motor and a nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery pack to produce 191 hp. The power was sent to the front wheels through a CVT. Along with a fuel mileage estimate of 39 mpg in combined driving, this Fusion Hybrid had the ability under low load conditions to propel itself to nearly 50 mph on battery power alone.

The handsome cabin sported quality materials and a wealth of standard features. The latter included 17-inch alloy wheels, rear parking sensors, the MyKey system (limits top speed and audio volume), a keyless-entry security code pad, automatic headlamps, dual-zone automatic climate control, power front seats and a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel. There was also the 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. Options included a rearview camera, a premium audio system, a sunroof and a navigation system with Sirius Travel Link.

In reviews, we were pleasantly surprised by the Ford Fusion Hybrid's well-sorted chassis. It's not a sport sedan, but it is sportier than you'd expect a hybrid sedan to be. Granted, you'll get even better mileage out of cars like the smaller Honda Insight and ubiquitous Toyota Prius. But when you compare apples to apples, the first-generation Ford Fusion Hybrid is an excellent choice for a used hybrid family sedan.

User Reviews:

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  Best Car Purchase Ive Made - 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid
  By Trey - December 23 - 1:22 pm

  I bought this car Certified from a Ford dealership, 4 years old with 50,000 miles on it. I bought it specifically for the gas mileage of the hybrid. I had seen several reviews of the hybrid saying that they werent getting the rated 44mpg city in the real world. Still, I figured Id have to save a lot of money on gas upgrading from my old vehicle, so I went with it. I couldnt be happier with the gas mileage. I am a volunteer firefighter, and if Im making a run and really accelerating hard (not all the way to the floor every time, but still asking for a lot of power), I see around 37 to 39mpg from a trip. If Im really trying my best to increase fuel economy, I regularly get near 50mpg, no problems. And if Im driving along as usual and not paying attention to my gas mileage or acceleration, Ill get around 46mpg, maybe even a little more. There are all kinds of driving aids and tips that you can configure on the dash to help coach you in getting the best gas mileage, and at the end of each trip when you turn the key off, it tells you how many miles you drove, your fuel economy for that trip, and a few other fuel economy related items about the trip. It didnt take me long at all to get used to driving the most efficiently for this car. I drive between 100 and 200 miles a day usually, between work, school, the firehouse, and any other driving I do, and Id say overall I average around 46 or 47mpg. I bought the car hoping for great gas mileage, but really Im getting even more than I expected without really trying. So with gas mileage, I am more than happy. Moving on, I love the look of the car, inside and out. My mom (who has owned a Mercedes before) told me she would have thought it was a Mercedes getting in the passenger seat. Its really a very appealing car by looks, both inside and out. Mine has the touch screen and heated seats and Im very happy with the value and what all options I have (which Im still discovering as I go on). I feel like Im driving a luxury car every day. One random thing Ive noticed is that you dont need to turn the A/C on to have cold air blowing. And Im usually the person who will have the A/C on 11 months out of the year. With the Fusion, I rarely turn it on. I find myself getting chilly in the car with only the regular climate fan turned on and turned to Lo. Somehow, it cools the car down more than my old cars A/C did, without me ever having to turn on the air conditioner, which again saves fuel. My only two things I can point out that Im not the biggest fan of (and this is only because Im really looking for a downside to report, its really not a big deal) are: 1) the bluetooth will lose connection with my iPhone 7 fairly often, to the point where I dont use the car to make phone calls because it will almost always cut out during the call, and 2) Id rather have physical buttons than touch-sensitive buttons for controls on the center-stack, because I have to take my eyes off the road to adjust the climate, I cant just feel for the buttons or knobs. But really, thats just personal preference, and not a knock on the car itself. Overall, I am thrilled with the car. The gas mileage is better than expected and the only reason I can think that others arent seeing these numbers is because theyre driving the car like a regular gasoline motor without following the tips that the car gives you. It only took me a couple short drives to get the driving down, and now I do it naturally. And its not like Im driving extremely slow or anything. I got a ton of compliments on the car the first day I drove it to work. It looks and feels like a much more expensive car than it is. I love the car so far, I have an extended warranty and free scheduled service on it for a couple of years, so I really expect it to be cheap to own and drive. And a big shout-out to Jim ONeal Ford, everyone there was more than helpful with me, with no pressure, and I cant thank them enough. Absolutely no regrets with this car!

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  Great car - 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid
  By D M - November 11 - 11:52 pm

  This is a great car. So far no problems a couple of recalls, all taken by dealer. Still happy with the Fusion. Put 3 thou+ on since the last review.

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  40k Mile Update - 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid
  By kd7oqc - November 5 - 4:27 am

  Our lifetime MPG is 38.9 actual (40.4 on the trip computer.) Like my conventional vehicle the mileage swings by several miles per gallon based on driving conditions and weather. Yesterday I got 53.9 MPG on the way to work and 45.4 on the way home. Having owned mostly Japanese vehicles, it will take me awhile to trust the reliability. So far we have had to replace the right front wheel bearing (under warranty). The factory tires (Michelin) need replacing already, which is disappointing. The "0" key on the drivers keypad no longer illuminates. $200 fix. The electric drivers seat is binds when you adjust it to the rear. Im not sure hybrid tech is cost effective.

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  Great looking car, terrible reliability on Ford Sync, Poor mileage - 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid
  By r_r - October 28 - 10:47 pm

  Car looks great, drives well for a hybrid, solidly built with a nice interior. However the Ford Sync system along with voice-activated navigation totally sucks. Navigation doesnt compute route 1/2 the time, screen keeps freezing over, reboots by itself. To add insult to injury, Ive had the car 2 months and taken it twice already to the dealer--they simply reset the system and say nothing is wrong and nothing more they can do. Completely unacceptable. If you buy this car, avoid getting the sync and navigation system. You will be burning a few thousand $ for nothing.

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  The car is amazing - 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid
  By raazer - October 23 - 1:42 am

  I have had mine for about 2 weeks and have put over 700 miles on it in that time. I am regularly hitting well above 40mpg and on one occasion hit 48.5 mpg over a 90 mile trip. I figure that the more I learn how to drive the car properly Ill be achieving the full EPA estimate of 47mpg on a consistent basis. The MyTouch is quirky at first but its just like any computer. You learn the commands and how it functions and you can master it. In the 2 weeks Ive owned it, I have learned every command and have found it to be quite a reliable tool in the vehicle. The only features I do not have are the park assist and the adaptive cruise control. So far everything else functions as it should.

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  Great Car from Ford - 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid
  By Marko - October 13 - 1:00 pm

  Have only owned the car for <700 miles but am totally impressed with the engineering and design detail of the car. My real word mileage is as advertized on the sticker but it does take a little thought and effort to get the high mileage results. Ford (MS) Sync system is the bomb. Works voice activated quite well, support for Sat Radio, iPod and 10G car music server is awesome. Fit and finish are top notch.

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  2014 Fusion Hybrid S at 12K - 2014 Ford Fusion Hybrid
  By 7383 - October 3 - 11:10 am

  This is my "work" car, purchased for that purpose. Although I have driven a series of employer-provided vehicles over the years, (Ford and GM sedans), this is the first purchase for my own use. The Fusion is, (I am embarrassed to say), the first American-branded vehicle I have ever owned, and I am 50 years old. I drive a mix of 70-75 mph highway, congested city and rural two lane. By way of background, I am fussy and a bit of a "car guy." (Other vehicles: Miata 6M and Acura TSX 5A.) Also, I have prior experience with Toyota hybrids. I like them, and have driven approximately 10K miles in a Gen 3 Prius and a 2009 Camry hybrid That said, here are my observations at the 12K mark:

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  2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid - 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid
  By Noel - September 14 - 6:20 pm

  I was waiting for a hybrid that really had it all, and the FFH has it in spades. This car is plenty fast, very quiet, comfortable, corners well, has plenty of useful amenities, a wonderful Sony sound system & MS Sync, 3 yr of free voice navigation (in the non Nav equipped model), Sirius radio, many nice safety and monitoring systems, a decent size trunk and has been flawless since purchase. The car goes into electric only mode easily, and can sustain speeds of 46 mph until moving into gas engine mode. I average 41.5 mpg year round (40.3-43.6, season dependent), and live in a hilly area of Northern California. The car is a true 10 of 10.

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  Gas at $1.50 per gallon? - 2014 Ford Fusion Hybrid
  By swhitehorn - September 4 - 9:07 pm

  There is a learning curve on how to drive a hybrid and Ford gives you several coaching tools to help you maximize your mpg. There are a few things you can do up front. One is to make sure there is 35 lbs of pressure in each tire (check tire pressure when tires are cold or havent be driven on in 8 hrs or more.) Wax your car, slow down and ease on the accelerator and brakes. Use the cruise control in the eco mode whenever possible. Remember, by driving conservatively you also create less wear and tear on your vehicle and for the most part drive safer. As compared to my 08 Accord EXL V6 the combined epa increases from 22 to 47 mpg, hence the $1.50 per gallon of gas.

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  OK to Drive, Do not expect anywhere near EPA - 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid
  By acdii - September 1 - 8:06 pm

  Purchased on 11-23-12, and the car handles Great, rides nice, comfortable to drive for long trips, However, it does not get good MPG. I have a 2010 Fusion Hybrid, I never had trouble getting EPA in it, no matter what the weather. Most of my driving is done on Rural Highways of 55 MPH, and I use the Ecocruise as suggested, and have driven Hybrids since 2007, and this car is nearly impossible to get in the 40s. I have to really work hard to get 38. The Myfordtouch is horrible too. No APPLINK either. Ford said the car is fine, I dont believe them. The math does not add up to what I put in the tank and what the dash says.