Las Vegas Weekly

Refined Fusion gets great mileage, has many safety features

As its name might suggests, the Fusion is Ford Motor Company's car for all seasons.

This mid-sized, four-door sedan emerged from Ford's Sonora, Mexico, plant in late 2005. Since then it has steadily been updated, most recently with an optional gas/electric hybrid power train. Sales are strong, with nearly 150,000 sold in each of the past three years.

The new Fusion hybrid boasts great mileage ratings. The EPA estimates it will get 36 miles per gallon on the highway and 41 MPG in the city, where hybrid technology truly shines. Based on the EPA numbers, a Fusion will go 700 miles on a tank of gas.

The hybrid is one of the most innovative examples of its type. It boasts the smallest, lightest battery that Ford has every offered and a unique Atkinson Cycle gas engine.

The Atkinson design dates back to 1882, but has come into its own with the advent of hybrid systems. It offers more efficient fuel consumption than conventional gas engines. Toyota and GM have also used Atkinson cycle engines in recent hybrid models.

All Fusion models, whether powered by the Duratec I-4, a conventional V6 engine, or the new hybrid, offer a wide range of safety features:

• Electronic stability control that includes all-speed traction control and anti-lock braking system

• Six airbags — frontal, front side seat and side curtain airbags

• Personal safety system

• Rear-seat head restraints for all passengers

• Tire-pressure monitoring system

The car's design, both interior and exterior, earned high marks from the automotive press. For 2010, Ford refined the exterior to emphasize the corporate “three bar grille” trademark.