2017 Ford Fusion Hybrid Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
byCameron Rogers
Manager, News
Cameron Rogers has worked in the automotive industry since 2013. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career.Pros
- Hybrid system delivers impressive fuel economy of about 42 mpg
- Many advanced tech and safety features are available
- Interior is quiet on the highway
Cons
- Sleek roof line reduces rear visibility and headroom
What’s new
The 2017 Ford Fusion Hybrid receives a variety of updates. It's most easily distinguished from last year's model by its restyled front end and headlights. Inside, Ford has replaced the previous MyFord Touch system with a new Sync 3 system infotainment interface, which is easier to use. A new rotary transmission selector and push-button engine start are standard on all Fusion Hybrids, while S and SE models get a nine-speaker audio system. On the upper end of the spectrum, a new Platinum trim level includes almost all options available for the Fusion Hybrid as standard.
Vehicle overview
When you consider buying a hybrid vehicle, the first car that likely comes to mind is the ubiquitous Toyota Prius. And for good reason: It pioneered the segment and still sits atop the fuel-efficiency charts for the best mpg. The Prius' green cred aside, though, it's not for everyone, especially in the wake of the polarizing styling change it received last year. If you want a more conventional sedan with a spacious cabin and a bit more pep in its step, we wholeheartedly recommend the 2017 Ford Fusion Hybrid.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2017 Ford Fusion Hybrid SE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.32 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$99/mo
Fusion Hybrid SE
vs
$181/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
On the outside, the Fusion Hybrid's sleek sheetmetal is among the most stylish of the midsize sedan class. Attentive Fusion fans will see that Ford has restyled front end for 2017 with a new look for the grille, lower fascia and headlights. The interior continues to impress with its upscale look and available technology. In particular, the newly available Sync 3 infotainment system (which replaces MyFord Touch) is excellent, with fast response times and an attractive, user-friendly interface.
There are a few competitors you might also want to check out this year. Honda's Accord Hybrid has consistently led the midsize sedan hybrid segment for fuel economy, while the Toyota Camry Hybrid boasts an expansive backseat and slightly quicker acceleration than the Fusion. The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid and related Kia Optima Hybrid, though less well known than the Fusion, Accord and Camry, have been recently improved and match them in just about every regard. And if you don't mind owning a hatchback, the Toyota Prius still wins the day with its unbeatable fuel economy. Overall, though, this year's updated Fusion is a great choice for a hybrid family sedan.
The Ford Fusion Hybrid comes standard with antilock disc brakes, traction and stability control, a rearview camera, front seat side airbags, front knee airbags and side curtain airbags. The standard Ford Sync system includes an emergency crash notification feature that pairs to a compatible cell phone and automatically dials 911 when you've been in an accident. Also standard is Ford's MyKey, which can be used to set certain parameters for secondary drivers such as teens or valets.
Optional equipment includes parking sensors, inflatable seatbelts in the rear seat and a variety of electronic driver-assist systems. The latter include blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, driver drowsiness detection, and lane-departure warning and intervention (it automatically helps the driver keep the car in its lane). There is also a frontal collision warning system with pedestrian detection and brake priming.
In Edmunds brake testing, the Ford Fusion Hybrid stopped from 60 mph in 123 feet, about average for its class.
The government gave the Fusion Hybrid five out of five stars for overall crash protection, with five stars for total frontal protection and four stars for total side-impact protection. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the non-hybrid but otherwise similar Fusion the highest possible rating of "Good" in its moderate-overlap frontal-offset, side-impact and roof-strength crash tests. In the small-overlap frontal-offset test, the Fusion earned a second-best rating of "Acceptable." Its head restraints and seatbelts earned a "Good" rating for their whiplash protection in rear impacts.
Edmunds' Expert Rating
If you're shopping for a hybrid sedan, you'll want to check out the 2017 Ford Fusion Hybrid. We like its impressive refinement, high fuel economy, well-rounded performance and high-tech features. Learn more about why the Fusion Hybrid is a smart pick.
Driving
The 2017 Ford Fusion Hybrid provides adequate acceleration for most driving situations. As with most hybrids, it will take you some time to get used to the slightly artificial feel of the regenerative brakes, but they aren't overly intrusive.
Other than when accelerating hard, the Fusion Hybrid has low levels of engine noise. Wind and road noise levels are also low, and highway cruising is hushed and serene to a point few competitors can approach. We also like the way the Fusion Hybrid drives around turns: Its steering is sharp and direct, and you'll feel confident and secure when going around turns. Rivals like the Sonata Hybrid and Camry Hybrid ride more softly, but the Fusion Hybrid feels more connected to the road without sacrificing comfort or smoothness.
Interior
Ford's interior designers got the basics right in the Fusion Hybrid, with a driver seat that's easy to adjust into a just-right position and good sight lines out the front and sides. Rear visibility is impeded by the sloping rear window, so it's helpful that a rearview camera comes standard.
Sharp angles and a sleek look throughout help the 2017 Ford Fusion's interior echo the handsome styling of the exterior. The emphasis is on having large, nicely textured surfaces and removing extraneous clutter, and it mostly works. There's a cool and urbane style to the seats and dash, a tone set largely by the high-quality finishes.
Without Sync 3, the base radio with Ford's standard Sync system is somewhat complicated to use and the display screen is small and not very aesthetically pleasing. We recommend upgrading to Sync 3 if possible, as its slick 8-inch touchscreen is more intuitive and gives the center console a more modern look. If you were wary about buying a Fusion with the outgoing MyFord Touch system, rest assured that Sync 3 is much improved. A horizontal row of large virtual buttons allows the user to move among various screens with ease, and the optional navigation system incorporates pinch-to-zoom and swiping motions.
Compared with the standard Fusion, the Hybrid's trunk space takes a hit due to the packaging of the battery pack. As such, the Hybrid's checks in at 12 cubic feet, or 4 fewer cubes than the non-hybrid Fusion. Still, that's on par with the trunks of other midsize hybrid sedans, and the 60/40-split rear seat can be dropped for those who need more cargo space.
2017 Ford Fusion Hybrid models
The 2017 Ford Fusion Hybrid is available in four trim levels: S, SE, Titanium and Platinum. The Fusion Energi (the plug-in, extended-range version of the Fusion Hybrid), is reviewed separately, as is the regular, gasoline-engine Fusion.
