We drive the 2018 Ford Fusion Hybrid
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| 2018 Ford Fusion Hybrid |
If you are in the market for a hybrid roomy family sedan, the Fusion Hybrid is a car worth looking at. It provides everything that a buyer would want at an affordable price and has better styling than the competition.
The Fusion Hybrid stands out because it provides a more luxurious experience than other similar cars.
Interior
When you get in, you will notice a very well laid out interior with a very clean layout. Controls are easy to reach and there are buttons for most functions. Ford has made efforts to bring a premium feel that feels more like Audi than Accord. The materials used on the dash feel expensive and nothing looks cheap.
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| Interior |
The interior of the Fusion rated excellent from passengers who loved the interior room. The back seat is almost limousine like with 38.3 inches of legroom. The front occupants can also stay comfortable with good visibility and lots of room.
The cabin has an airy feel that really helps keep things from being claustrophobic. The only negative we found was the trunk space with much of the trunk space being taken up by batteries.
The next generation hybrid cars have started to move the batteries to the passenger floor area to keep the trunk space open. As it is, the Fusion hybrid has 12 cubic feet of space available which works out to about two suitcases.
Behind the wheel the Fusion drives very well and is very comfortable to drive with lots of luxury features. The car is very quiet at freeway speeds which is great as long as you are not asking the engine for a lot.
Engine
[adinserter name="GOOGLE AD"]The Fusion Hybrid is powered by a 2.0 liter Atkinson cycle four cylinder gasoline engine combined with an electric motor. Total output is 188 hp which is not a lot when you are asked to move 3700 pounds of car. With a full load, going up hills required a generous application of throttle which results in unhappy sounds from the engine.
This is not a sports sedan but on the positive side the fuel economy is just incredible for such a large sedan. The EPA rates the Fusion Hybrid at 41 mpg on the highway. It has been our experience that most hybrids can’t match their EPA numbers on the freeway in extended driving.
Exhaust the battery pack with some hills and you are left with a small four cylinder that is overworked. In the case of the Fusion, we managed to get 39.5 mpg which was terrific.
Handling
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| Shift Knob |
Around corners the Fusion again reminds you that it is not a sports sedan but once again you will not care because the ride is silky smooth. For California’s pothole filled roads, the Fusion is perfect. It absorbs the biggest bumps with no issues. We tried some sections of road with a few different cars and while some bumps would almost throw you out of your chair, the Fusion just glides over bumps and you hardly notice them.
Pricing
Fusion Hybrid prices start out at only $27,555 for the SE model. The SEL model adds an 11 speaker audio system, heated seats with memory, leather steering wheel, remote start, auto dimming mirrors, body color door handles, a rear spoiler, LED headlights, and 235/50-17 tires for $31,520.
Pull out $34,485 out of your wallet and you can have the top of the line Titanium model with multi adjustable sport seats that are heated, cooled and leather covered. You also get an upgraded Sony audio system with 12 speakers, moonroof, heated steering wheel, LED fog lamps, and 18 inch wheels with 235/40R18 tires.
The Fusion Hybrid is an amazingly comfortable car that can carry passengers in total luxury while providing excellent fuel economy. Not everyone wants a race car and if you want a solid car to provide quiet and comfortable transportation, it is hard to beat the Fusion.