2018 Ford Fusion Hybrid Review

The base S is well-equipped. But if you're going to buy a 2018 Ford Fusion Hybrid, we recommend skipping over this one and going immediately for the SE. The SE carries a negligibly higher MSRP for its added features, the most notable being LED exterior accent lighting, power-adjustable front sea...

The Fusion Hybrid is easy to drive around town, although the gas and brake pedals don't feel especially responsive. It leaves from stops under smooth EV power but lurches forward when the gas engine kicks on a moment later. Adaptive cruise is great at keeping a set speed, even on steep downgrades.

Typical of many hybrid family sedans, the Fusion feels timid. You'll likely be pressing the gas pedal more than expected when getting up to passing speed on the highway or climbing a grade. In our acceleration test, it went from zero to 60 mph time in 9 seconds, which is average for the segment.

The brakes don't have much initial bite, which makes it hard to consistently apply the correct amount of pedal pressure to stop smoothly. But the switchover between regenerative braking and mechanical braking is smooth. Our panic-stop test from 60 mph took 123 feet, just slightly longer than average...

Steering effort is quite light, whether you're circulating through a parking lot or cruising at highway speeds. And there isn't much feel or feedback, so it's never clear how hard the tires are working. We found ourselves making frequent tiny corrections to maintain our desired path.

The Fusion Hybrid feels composed and stable, and it doesn't roll much in corners. And despite lackluster steering feedback, it responds eagerly to steering inputs. Fuel-saving tires don't offer a ton of grip, but there's still enough to maintain a steady pace on your favorite winding road.

The Fusion Hybrid is easy to drive around town, although the gas and brake pedals don't feel especially responsive. It leaves from stops under smooth EV power but lurches forward when the gas engine kicks on a moment later. Adaptive cruise is great at keeping a set speed, even on steep downgrades.

We could spend all day in a Fusion Hybrid. It has a supple ride, and the seats, particularly the cloth ones, are supportive and comfy. The hybrid powertrain is admirably smooth and quiet, though it does get loud when you floor it. Comes standard with an effective automatic climate control system.

The standard cloth seats are nicely padded and offer a great balance of support and comfort that lasts for hours. But we found it harder to be comfortable in the optional leather seats, which are taut and stiffer. The front headrests are adjustable; outboard rear seats are set at a pleasant angle.

The Fusion Hybrid's suspension is perhaps a little too softly tuned, and it can feel a little floaty when you drive over certain dips in the road. Otherwise, the suspension soaks up road bumps with ease and does a good job of isolating passengers from most harsh impacts.

The Fusion's double-pane side windows do an excellent job of minimizing tire and wind noise at high speeds. There's barely a whisper of each. Hybrid powertrain is silent at idle and in EV mode. Gas engine is admirably quiet when cruising but can sound coarse and raspy under maximum acceleration.

Standard dual-zone climate control works well and keeps the cabin cool despite hot summer temps outside. Backseat passengers have air vents of their own. The Platinum comes with a heated steering wheel and front-seat ventilation, though the latter doesn't feel particularly effective.

Almost everyone should find the Fusion's interior pleasant and accommodating. It's easy to get in and out of, the driving position is highly adjustable, and the cabin offers a generous amount of space. Tall passengers might take issue with the sloping rear roofline when getting into the backseat.

The Hybrid's rotary transmission shifter takes getting used to. But most other cabin controls are nicely grouped and easy to operate at a glance. Steering wheel buttons make it easy to sort through the comprehensive dashboard data screen.

Most occupants will find it easy to climb in and out of the Fusion thanks to wide-opening doors, generous door openings, and seats that are set at an inviting height. The only exception is the sloping rear roofline, which might prompt those over 6 feet tall to duck as they slide into the backseat.

The tilt-and-telescoping wheel and the driver's seat have a generous adjustment range. Both the cloth and leather seats offer height adjustments, but we've found that the power mechanism for the leather seats doesn't power down as low as in cloth-upholstered seats.

The Fusion feels spacious, and its front and rear seats provide above-average levels of head-, leg- and hiproom. Rear headroom is limited by the sloping rear roofline, but only those over 6 feet tall should notice. The optional sunroof takes a bite out of headroom.

Outward visibility is good despite fairly thick windshield pillars. The rear blind spot is larger than average due to a broad rear roof pillar and smaller than average rear quarter window. A rearview camera is standard, and parking sensors are optional, which is typical of this segment.

With quilted leather seat upholstery, leather dashboard coverings and a sea of stitching throughout, the Fusion Hybrid Platinum's interior is jaw-dropping and nearly perfect. Rivals pale in comparison. The only flaw in our tester was a loose trim piece that buzzed with heavy bass from the speakers.

Unique among hybrid sedans, the Fusion Hybrid has its trunk-mounted battery pack mounted low enough that a folding backseat and trunk pass-through are possible, which makes up for its modest nominal trunk volume. Lots of nice-size storage compartments and thoughtful nooks inside the cabin.

Storage spaces include a large bin under the front armrest and a spacious tray under the center console. Both front and rear center armrests have two cupholders, and there's one in each of the wide door pockets. None will hold anything larger than an average-size water bottle or coffee cup.

The Fusion Hybrid offers 12 cubic feet of trunk space, which is sufficient but less than some hybrid competitors. But the Fusion does have rear seats that can be folded down to increase cargo capacity. Most other hybrid sedans don't have this feature.

Each of the outboard rear seats is flanked by a pair of LATCH hooks. But they are set deep into the gap between the cushion and backrest, and the stiffness of our car's leather seats made them hard to access. A seat can be mounted in the center because the rear shelf has three anchors.

With the new Sync 3 infotainment system and the advent of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the Ford Fusion is one of the more approachable, tech-friendly vehicles on the market. The Fusion offers many safety-related driver aids, and you don't have to buy the most expensive trim level to get them.

Sync 3 and its onboard navigation are much better than the old MyFord Touch system. Like a smartphone, Sync 3 has big virtual buttons and the ability to swipe through menus. The satellite radio signal often dropped, though, likely due to a weak antenna, and max-volume audio quality isn't great.

All Fusions with Sync 3 have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality and a second USB port. If you don't utilize these systems, you can still pair your phone the old-fashioned way via Bluetooth, which is a nice option to have.

The Fusion Hybrid can be equipped with the latest active safety systems, including adaptive cruise control, emergency braking and front/rear parking sensors. The best thing: You don't have to order the expensive Titanium or Platinum trim to get these features. They are optional on the midlevel SE.

As always, Ford's voice controls, now via Sync 3, are excellent. Natural language and simple commands do wonders to play music, change radio stations, input navigation destinations or place calls. And you have the option to hold the voice button longer to access Siri on your paired smartphone.