Vehicle Tested
2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid Sedan (2.5L 4-cyl. Hybrid CVT Automatic)
Driven On
9/25/2012
Ratings Summary
The redesigned Fusion made a bold step forward for 2013. That includes Ford's groundbreaking, though controversial, Fusion Hybrid. Whether this car can realistically make its claimed 47 mpg, there's no denying it's a feature-packed, wildly efficient midsize sedan. If you're in the market, this one is worth a look.
B
Performance
Better handling than many competing hyrbids, but about average among the larger spectrum of midsize sedans. Acceleration is improved versus the previous Fusion Hybrid.
| Acceleration |
B
|
Acceleration is adequate for daily use around town. And there's enough passing power for most situations, especially if you plan ahead. It's definitely no sport sedan. |
| Braking |
C
|
There's room for improvement here. Grabby initial brake response combined with a soft pedal feel. As with most hybrids, the pedal's action feels awkward at first. |
| Steering |
B
|
Ford has done a nice job here tuning the Fusion Hybrid's electric power steering. Effort is a bit light but feedback is good. |
| Handling |
B
|
Very well behaved for a hybrid. Adequate steering feel combined with a stable chassis through transitions despite relatively low limits. Better than the car it replaces. |
| Driveability |
B
|
Aside from the awkward brake feel, the Fusion Hybrid feels like a very normal car. Only sensitive drivers will notice the transition between electric and gasoline power. |
B
Comfort
Overall comfort is appropriate for a midsize sedan. The suspension of the Hybrid model is more softly sprung than a normal Fusion, which means it's slightly more comfortable.
| Seating Comfort |
B
|
The seats are plenty plush for all-day driving. There's better rear-seat space than some others in the segment, |
| Ride Comfort |
B
|
A good compromise between body control and ride smoothness. Neither floaty nor jarring. |
| Quietness |
B
|
Active noise cancellation works well in the hybrid, effectively negating disturbing harmonics. It's quiet down the road. |
B
Interior
The interior is large and usable, finished with generally nice materials. We found some questionable assembly quality, but we're chalking it up to the car's pre-production status.
| Ergonomics |
B
|
The major controls are close at hand and operate intuitively. But the MyFord Touch touchpads lack feedback and add unnecessary confusion. |
| Ingress/Egress |
B
|
The Fusion's large doors open wide for easy access. The seat height makes entry/exit pretty easy. |
| Space/Room |
B
|
The Fusion's long wheelbase makes for a spacious cabin despite the sleek and stylish exterior shape. |
| Visibility |
B
|
Outward visibility is generally good, although a rear three-quarter blind spot requires extra attention for passing maneuvers. |
| Cargo/Storage |
C
|
Interior storage is plentiful and the trunk opening is large. But the presence of hybrid batteries significantly reduces the available cargo space. |
B
Value
Starting at $27,200 the Fusion Hybrid is a good value. It's a relatively normal-driving car that happens to be very fuel efficient.
| Build Quality (vs. $) |
D
|
Our tester was a pre-production car and had fit and finish problems including panel gaps and misaligned carpet. We suspect production versions will be far better. |
| Features(vs. $) |
B
|
Technology features in the Fusion are on par or ahead of many competitors. Driver coaching displays to help you achieve mpg goals is particularly engaging in this car. |
| Cost |
B
|
Reasonable cost for a spacious family sedan that's very efficient. |
| MPG |
B
|
EPA ratings are 47 city/47 highway/47 combined. We recorded 40.2 mpg in mostly highway driving. |
| Warranty |
B
|
Ford's warranties are about average for the industry: 5 years/60,000 miles for the drivetrain and 3 years/36,000 miles bumper-to-bumper. |
| Ownership |
B
|
Ford offers roadside assistance for 5 years/60,000 miles. There is no free scheduled maintenance program. |
B
Fun To Drive
As hybrids go, the driving experience is better than some of the established players. But few will go so far as to actually call the Fusion Hybrid fun to drive.
| Driving Experience |
B
|
All Fusions, hybrid or not, drive smaller than they look. Impressive, considering how large this car is. |
| Personality |
B
|
The most compelling part about this hybrid's personality is that it's hard to tell it's a hybrid at all, whether you're looking at it or driving it. And that's a good thing. |
