Introduction
Save America; buy an American car. If you feel even the slightest inclination in that direction, your time may have come. The 2010 Ford Fusion, and in particular, the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid, delivers contemporary styling, a first-class driving experience, and world-class fuel mileage.
EPA ratings for the Ford Fusion Hybrid are a stupendous 41/36 mpg City/Highway. The Fusion gets eight more miles per gallon in city driving and two more on the highway than does the Toyota Camry Hybrid. In a mid-size sedan as roomy and competent as this one, that is exciting efficiency.
The best news is, you don't have to drive the Fusion Hybrid like you're in a funeral cortege to achieve 40-plus city mpg; these are real-world figures. During Los Angeles morning rush, we drove the Fusion Hybrid in heavy traffic from the Sunset Strip 10 miles west along hilly, snaking Sunset Boulevard to the beach, then south to Santa Monica Pier, all the while proceeding at a distinctly non-funereal pace. Without fuss, the Fusion delivered an impressive 41.5 mpg.
What's more, in city driving, a full tank takes the Hybrid an amazing 700 miles.
Besides the Hybrid, the 2010 Ford Fusion lineup offers a choice of three different engines: a 2.5-liter inline-4 of 175 hp, a 3.0-liter flex-fuel V6 of 240 hp, and a performance-tuned 3.5-liter V6 of 263 hp. The combined horsepower of the Hybrid's gas engine and electric motor is 191 hp, but the literally instantaneous torque of its forceful electric motor makes it feel like more.
Most of the new Fusion's dimensions are unchanged from the previous model, but mechanically and in styling, the 2010 model exhibits vastly more than a mere freshening of last year's model. The new exterior, nicely enhanced with chrome, has a muscular, crisp Euro panache that is, if anything, pleasingly Saab-like.
The various gas-engine 2010 Fusion models we drove are similarly comfortable, commodious, and in the case of the Sport model, excitingly agile. Offered in a range of trim levels, the new Fusion is a compelling mid-size car with agile handling and world-beating fuel thrift.
Walkaround
The 2010 Fusion uses the same platform as the 2009 model, but from there similarities cease.
The all-new front-end design, beginning with a bold, three-bar chrome grille and racecar-like chrome-trimmed intakes at the bottom of the nose, has a muscular confidence that makes you take a second, more interested, look. How long has it been since the mainstream American mid-size elicited that?
The Fusion's sinuousness is continued in the carefully raised modeling of the hood, implying that what lies beneath is something genuinely worthy. True enough. The Fusion is no dragster, but its performance is spirited, and its 7.0-second 0-to-60 time in the Sport model gives it the edge over the Honda Accord (7.4 seconds) and Toyota Camry (7.1 seconds).
Given the conservative looks of the Honda and Toyota, the Fusion's styling makes a statement all its own. Its well-formed flanks, accented by gleaming streaks of chrome, give the Fusion both a dynamically fresh appearance and excellent aerodynamic efficiency. Its coefficient of drag, aided by underbody airflow tuning, is an extremely low 0.32, helping achieve high fuel mileage.
Ford stylists were able to combine graceful styling with practicality in another way. The Fusion's high-bustled three-box design delivers a tall, capacious trunk volume of 11.8 cubic feet. It also delivers an easy lift-over height.
In style and stance, the new Ford has a sporting, fun-to-drive spirit not normally associated with either Japanese or American workaday mid-sizers. The Fusion, rather, has the cues of a finely conceived European sedan gone global.
Driving Impression
Driving the Fusion Hybrid is different from driving other Fusions. Its acceleration is right in the middle of adequate, as most hybrid buyers will want, but the EcoGuide instrumentation's ongoing tutorial informs the driver in real time of the mileage being achieved. As EcoGuide demonstrates, the secret of the Hybrid's excellent City mileage is that its electric motor powers the car in cruising mode up to 47 mph. If more power is summoned for acceleration or passing, only then does the gasoline engine instantly and nearly silently kick in, adding smooth forward motion.
We found that when a stoplight turns green, we could use the throttle pedal freely, accelerating to the speed of traffic around us. Then by letting off the pedal slightly at, say, 40 mph or so, the gasoline engine almost imperceptibly shuts down. We're running on clean, thrifty electric power. Practically the only indication of this is by watching Eco-Guide. The smoothness of these transfers between gasoline and electricity is the unmistakable result of world-class engineering.
Power delivery in the Fusion Hybrid is smooth and progressive, exhibiting none of the artificially sudden throttle response of its Asian competitors.
Similarly, the Fusion's handling and on-road dynamics are exemplary. Because its handling is alert and agile, more so in some respects than Accord's or Camry's, it will respond accurately to driver inputs in an emergency.
At the same time, its ride is smooth and pleasing.
Four-wheel disc brakes, made more effective with standard ABS, provide forceful, easily modulated stopping power.
Interior
By necessity, our test Ford Fusion Hybrid was furnished with instrumentation not found in any gas-engine versions. The Hybrid's so-called EcoGuide information system flanks the center-mounted speedometer with two LCD panels, communicating what the powertrain is doing, how it's doing it, and how, in real time, you can optimize its fuel efficiency.
Pushing a couple of buttons, you select between four different formats. Learning the distinctions between Inform Mode, Enlighten Mode, Engage Mode, and Empower Mode takes a moment, but then, if you're driving a hybrid, you're likely to want the best from your system. And as annoying and intimidating as some digital systems can be, we found that within 10 minutes driving, thanks to the tutorial nature of the EcoGuide, we were already using the throttle pedal to effectively stretch our mileage. Think of EcoGuide as an automotive video game. It's actually fun.
But if you just want to get to work really fast, especially if your traffic-heavy, stop-and-go commute often takes place at less than 50 mph, the hybrid system's most efficient speed range, a Fusion Hybrid will deliver mileage you never dreamed possible.
Our test car was upholstered with handsome black leather. Black pebble-grain texture on the dash gave things a well-furnished glow. The center stack contained a straightforward nav system and Ford's SYNC, the comprehensive communication network that allows the driver to track storms, place hands-free calls, find a movie start time, locate the cheapest gas in your region, and more.
The driver's seat had good lateral support, decent lumbar support, and proper elevation at the cushion's front to inhibit submarining (slipping under the belts) in a head-on impact. A sturdy chrome-trimmed shifter provided a businesslike grip.
The steering wheel features cruise-control buttons on the left side of the hub, and audio and media controls on the right. (And these controls were far enough away from the steering function to avoid accidental radio-station changes, as they should be.) The switchgear was neither showy nor cheap, with a straightforward utility appropriate to this car.
The deluxe Sony audio in our test car provided gorgeous sound, and better still, was adjusted by knobs. We've found the most efficient way to tune a sound system is with a radial knob, particularly when underway and especially on a rough road.
The air conditioning, which on the Hybrid is run directly off the battery pack (providing no power-sapping belt drag on the engine), was cool, powerful, all you could ask.
Rear seating was conventional for this class, which is to say, so-so. The seat cushions were flat and minimally cushioned. The two outside seats had a hint of lateral support, while the passenger in the center rear would be well advised to negotiate an upgrade. Headroom was reasonably good in back, given the downward taper of the roofline, but leave the fedora in your Bentley.
Lineup
The 2010 Ford Fusion offers five variants: S, SE, Sport, SEL and Hybrid.
Fusion S ($19,270) comes standard with cloth upholstery, tilt/telescoping steering wheel, power locks, instrument cluster with message center, keyless entry and trunk release, AM/FM/CD/MP3 with four speakers, remote decklid release, capless fuel filler, trip computer, cruise control, speed-sensitive wipers. It comes with the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, six-speed manual transmission, 16-inch wheels, body-color bumpers and door handles, tinted glass, black power mirrors. A six-speed automatic is optional.
Fusion SE ($20,545) adds six-speaker audio, fog lamps, fold-flat passenger seat, body-color mirrors, six-way power driver seat, Sirius satellite radio, steering wheel audio and cruise controls, illuminated visor mirrors, and 17-inch wheels. A six-speed select-shift automatic is optional. Also optional is a 3.0-liter V6 flex-fuel engine ($2,490) and comes with six-speed automatic.
Fusion Sport ($25,825) adds 3.5-liter V6 engine, sport-tuned suspension, six-speed select-shift automatic, 18-inch wheels, chrome trim, rear spoiler, dual exhausts, unique side rocker moldings and front fascia, SYNC communication system, auto-dimming rearview, eight-way power driver seat, unique interior trim and center console applique. All-wheel drive ($1,850) is available.
Fusion SEL ($23,975) comes with the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and upgrades with leather heated seats, dual-zone temperature control, SYNC communications system, halogen headlamps, auto-dimming rearview, heated outside mirrors, eight-way power driver seats, six-way power passenger seat, leather shifter, leather steering wheel, keyless entry pad, six-speed select-shift automatic and 17-inch wheels. A 3.0-liter V6 flex-fuel engine with six-speed automatic transmission is optional.
Fusion Hybrid ($27,270) comes fitted with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine, Hybrid 275-volt sealed battery, permanent magnet-electric motor, regenerative braking system, LCD graphic instrument panel, reverse-sensing system, Hybrid badging, 17-inch wheels, E-CVT electronic constant-velocity automatic transmission.
Optional packages: Sun & SYNC Package with auto-dimming rearview mirror with microphone and compass, power moonroof, SYNC communication system; Driver's Vision Package with blind-spot information system, rearward camera in rearview mirror; Moon & Tune Package with moonroof, Sony audio with 12 speakers; Electronics Package with heated seats, six-way power passenger seat, ambient lighting, automatic headlights, blind-spot information system, dual-zone temp control, heated mirrors with puddle lamps, console rearview camera, keyless entry pad. Additional options: voice-activated navigation system (Sport, SEL, Hybrid), engine-block heater, reverse-sensing system.
Safety features that come standard on all Fusion models include dual front, side-impact, and side curtain airbags (with crash-severity sensing), seatbelt pretensioners, anti-lock brakes, and traction control, tire-pressure monitoring. Also available are a rearview camera, a reverse sensing system, and all-wheel drive.
Model Lineup: Ford Fusion S ($19,270); SE ($20,545); SEL ($23,975); Sport ($25,825); Hybrid ($27,270).
Assembled In: Hermosillo, Mexico.
Options As Tested: Package 502A ($3,945) includes leather trimmed seats, heated front seats, voice-activated navigation system, Sony AM/FM/6CD/MP3 sound system with 12 speakers, 10GB Music Jukebox, Sirius Travel Link, moonroof, rearview camera, BLIS blind spot info system.
Model Tested: Ford Fusion Hybrid ($27,270).
Summary
If you want to come to an accurate assessment of just how good Detroit products are, you need look no further than the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid. It is roomy and comfortable, a cutting-edge mid-sized family sedan with world-class efficiency and satisfying performance. Factoring in the $3400 after-purchase federal tax credit because it's a hybrid, the price is right, too.
Ted West filed this report to NewCarTestDrive.com after driving the Fusion Hybrid through the canyons and along Pacific Coast Highway north of Santa Monica, California.
Below is a full, detailed review for the 2010 Ford Fusion written by the automotive experts at TheCarConnection.com. A full evaluation of the driving experience, equipment, and pricing are included from journalists with a wealth of experience.
2010 FORD FUSION STYLING | [8 out of 10]
Motor Trend: "A gargantuan love-it-or-hate-it three-bar chrome grille sits out front"
Jalopnik: "Substantial without being too flashy, though there's an awful lot of chrome up there"
Automobile Magazine: "Ford's SmartGauge instrument cluster... can display a dizzying array of information"
Car and Driver: "Considerably improved interior and exterior styling"
The 2010 Ford Fusion has been significantly restyled for this model year, and while the latest Ford Fusion isn't exactly the next generation of Fusion, it does represent a major evolutionary step.
The Ford Fusion and Ford Fusion Hybrid are both "five-passenger mid-size [sedans]," according to the Detroit News, and they are available in a wide range of trims. ConsumerGuide reports that, along with the "new Sport, Fusion should reprise S, SE, and SEL trim levels, all with front-wheel drive." The most noticeable change to the new 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid and its conventional siblings comes in the styling department, where Motor Trend says that a "gargantuan love-it-or-hate-it three-bar chrome grille sits out front." Editors at Motor Trend clearly love it, calling the latest Ford Fusion the "best looking of the new Fords." Jalopnik is also impressed with the "sleeker styling," which they find even more impressive since "the original Fusion was pretty strong on [that] front to begin with." Jalopnik expands upon their earlier praise, noticing that the "freshened grille is combined with lower bumper styling elements reminiscent of the Euro-only Ford Mondeo along with a character line along the hood which all combines to [create] new faces that's substantial without being too flashy." The Detroit News comments that Ford's ultimate goal with the refresh was to "provide a more aggressive look" to the 2010 Ford Fusion, something that rarely happens in the mid-size sedan segment.
The interior of the 2010 Ford Fusion also wins some serious praise in reviews read by TheCarConnection.com, especially the styling found on the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid. Jalopnik feels that the interior "changes made were for the better," and reports that "by moving the belt line of the IP up, the 2010 Fusion now appears less cramped and more inviting."
The only real complaint about the interior comes from Jalopnik, where reviewers say that they're "not sure how we feel about the painted accents in the Sport model which remind us more of boy-racers than urban sophisticates."
Conclusion: A major styling upgrade is just what the doctor ordered for the 2010 Ford Fusion.
2010 FORD FUSION PERFORMANCE | [9 out of 10]
Motor Trend: "New I-4 will have more power than the four-cylinder Toyota Camry"
Jalopnik: "All models begin pushing into a more modern age with electric power steering"
Automobile Magazine: "Ford's fitted the hybrid powertrain from the Escape Hybrid cute-ute to both the Fusion and the Mercury Milan"
Car and Driver: "The first thing you need to know about the 2010 Ford Fusion hybrid is that it's the best mid-size hybrid sedan on the market"
The traditional mid-size sedan segment is definitely not known for its grin-inducing performance attributes, but the 2010 Ford Fusion isn't a traditional mid-size sedan. Instead, reviews read by TheCarConnection.com show that the newest Ford Fusion is actually engaging to drive--well, at least more so than its competitors.
The 2010 Ford Fusion offers a range of engines that vary in power and displacement according to trim level. ConsumerGuide says a "175-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder replaces [the] 160-hp 2.3-liter 4-cylinder" on today's base model, while a "240-hp 3.0-liter V-6" is available on uplevel models. ConsumerGuide also notes that the Ford Fusion Sport has "a 263-hp 3.5-liter V-6," and the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid pairs "a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine with an electric motor for 177 hp total."
Both engines win praise for their spirited performance, even the base four-cylinder. Autoblog claims, "for driving enthusiasts, the Fusion of choice might actually be the four-cylinder, six-speed manual version," since the lighter powertrain makes it the "lightest, least nose heavy" version of the Ford Fusion. The 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid also takes significant strides in terms of hybrid performance, with Motor Trend remarking that it "can operate in all-electric mode at a cruising speed of up to 47 mph."
The available transmissions fare decently well in reviews read by TheCarConnection.com, but the automotive enthusiasts understandably pine for a manual on the higher-output engines. They will have to wait for another iteration of the Ford Fusion, however, since ConsumerGuide says that "V-6 versions [will] only have a six-speed automatic," while the base four-cylinder gets "a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission" and the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid offers "a continuously variable automatic (CVT)." Autoblog does offer some consolation for enthusiasts, reporting that the V-6 offers "a manual select shift gate," and while they're "generally not a fan of these manual mode automatics," they do give the Ford Fusion points for getting "the orientation of the sequential shift gate in what [they] consider to be the correct position. Tap backwards for an up-shift and forwards for a down shift." As for the CVT on the hybrid, the Detroit News comments that it "provides smooth acceleration and helps with the car's extremely quiet ride."
Fuel economy for the 2010 Ford Fusion is much improved this year, according to Ford. While official EPA numbers aren't out yet, Jalopnik claims that the four-cylinder "gets at least five miles per gallon better fuel economy than the outgoing 2.3 liter," while the V-6 "gets a one to two MPG bump in economy."
The ride and handling aspects of the new Ford Fusion are better than most competitors, according to reviews read by TheCarConnection.com. Autoblog testers note that the Ford Fusion "still understeers at the limit as would be expected, but overall it was much better balanced" and significantly better than the Toyota Camry. The brakes work well, according to Automobile Magazine, which says that "the brakes simply stop the car without calling attention to themselves... unlike the hard-to-modulate brakes in some other hybrids." Automobile Magazine also reports that the new Ford Fusion features a "tighter turning circle," which is a welcome improvement for those who spend a lot of time navigating parking lots. Finally, Jalopnik reviewers find that "the suspension gets tweaks to improve ride and handling."
Conclusion: If you're looking for a sedan that's a little more exciting to drive than the rest, consider the 2010 Ford Fusion.
2010 FORD FUSION COMFORT AND QUALITY | [9 out of 10]
Jalopnik: "The new seats are a pretty comfy place to be"
Automobile Magazine: "We're glad to see some softer materials used throughout"
Car and Driver: "Most improvements focus on climbing the scale of perceived quality"
Ford takes the 2010 Ford Fusion in for a pretty thorough makeover. Reviews read by TheCarConnection.com appreciate the effort, and the latest Ford Fusion's many virtues in the comfort and quality department are well-received by the automotive press.
The 2010 Ford Fusion, which the Detroit News calls a "five-passenger mid-sized sedan," seats five in a pinch, but four is more realistic given the cramped confines of the rear seat. The Detroit News reports that headroom is decent, at 38.7 inches up front and 37.8 inches in the back, although legroom shrinks from an acceptable 42.3 inches to 36.7 in the rear. Jalopnik reviewers present a minority opinion, finding that "the cabin is roomy, allowing plenty of space for five human beings."
Cargo space inside the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid and conventional sedans isn't exactly expansive, but there are few complaints in reviews read by TheCarConnection.com. Once again, the Detroit News provides solid numbers, pegging luggage capacity at 11.8 cubic feet. Car and Driver also notes that Ford's "customizable ambient/cupholder lighting system" makes drink storage a bit easier when driving at night.
With the latest Ford Fusion and 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid, Ford has taken significant steps toward improving interior quality. Car and Driver reviewers state as much, finding that "most improvements focus on climbing the scale of perceived quality, with liberal use of soft materials at touch points all around and low-gloss plastics." Jalopnik also notes that "the interior gets materials upgrades in the dash, door panels, center console," and even "the new seats are a pretty comfy place to be." The Detroit News also raves about the "softer touch points" on the interior, as well as the "new dash and nice cubbies throughout."
One place where build quality is clearly evident is in terms of cabin noise levels. To put it simply, a well-constructed vehicle should offer a quieter ride, and according to the Detroit News, the 2010 Ford Fusion offers an "extremely quiet ride." Autoblog agrees, calling the new Ford Fusion "remarkably quiet and refined whether we were cruising on the freeway or blasting through a canyon." They credit the "new seals and acoustic components in several areas [which] help keep out noises and absorb those that do get in." Autoblog concludes by calling the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid "one of the quietest sedans in this market segment," which also goes for its conventionally powered brethren.
Conclusion: Improved quality and a quieter ride make the 2010 Ford Fusion even more appealing to consumers looking for upscale quality at bargain prices.
2010 FORD FUSION SAFETY | [9 out of 10]
IIHS (2009 Fusion): "Good," frontal offset impact; "good," side impact; Top Safety Pick
NHTSA (2009 Fusion): Five stars, front impact tests; four stars, side impact tests
ConsumerGuide: "Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system"
Not only is the 2010 Ford Fusion environmentally friendly, thanks to the highly efficient 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid model, it's also safety-minded. The Ford Fusion incorporates the latest safety gear and advanced structural engineering to create an incredibly safe sedan.
At the time of this writing, the 2010 Ford Fusion had not yet been put through independent crash tests, but the 2009 Ford Fusion was a very solid performer in both NHTSA and IIHS crash tests, and TheCarConnection.com expects the same from the 2010 model. In the government-sponsored NHTSA tests, the Ford Fusion and Ford Fusion Hybrid earned the highest possible rating, five stars, for front impact protection. The Ford Fusion also scored four out of five stars for side impact protection.
In the more stringent IIHS tests, the Ford Fusion earned the highest possible rating, "good," in side impact tests, as well as another "good" rating in the frontal offset impact category. The Ford Fusion performed so well in those tests, in fact, that the IIHS named the 2009 Ford Fusion a Top Safety Pick, citing the Ford Fusion's "good performance in front, side, and rear tests and optional electronic stability control."
Aside from the stellar crash-test ratings, the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid and conventional models both offer the latest and greatest safety equipment. Jalopnik reviewers remark that the new 2010 Ford Fusion adds a "Blind Spot Information System (BLISTM) with Cross Traffic Alert, which can help provide extra confidence to drivers in parking lots by alerting drivers sooner of nearby traffic while backing out." In addition to that high-tech amenity, ConsumerGuide points out that 2010 Ford Fusion's "available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain side airbags, and front side airbags."
One of the major safety concerns of most drivers is visibility from the driver's seat, and here Ford has once again taken charge and developed a few nifty systems to aid overall visibility. While reviews read by TheCarConnection.com turned up no complaints regarding visibility in the 2010 Ford Fusion, Ford has taken steps to make sure that nobody brings it up as a sticking point later on. To that end, Jalopnik reports that Ford adds a "reverse camera system... that is activated when Fusion is shifted into reverse, giving the driver a clear view behind the vehicle." Jalopnik also says the 2010 Ford Fusion's BLISTM "uses two multiple beam radar modules" that work to identify "when a vehicle enters the defined blind spot zone and illuminates an indicator light on the corresponding side-view mirror providing a warning that a vehicle is approaching."
Conclusion: A full complement of airbags and some high-tech visibility aids make the 2010 Ford Fusion one of the safest sedan options on the market.
2010 FORD FUSION FEATURES | [9 out of 10]
Jalopnik: "Cars equipped with the navigation screen get an upgrade to a huge eight inch touch screen with optional Sirius Travelink"
Car and Driver: "Fusion dips into Ford's more recent bag of tricks for its customizable ambient/cupholder lighting system"
ConsumerGuide: "Reprising their roles as options would be a navigation system and Ford's Sync voice-activated interface for cell phones"
Whether standard or optioned to the hilt, the 2010 Ford Fusion enters the market with no shortage of features.
The standard features on the 2010 Ford Fusion vary according to trim level, but the base S sedan comes better equipped than you might expect. Jalopnik reviewers claim that the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid and sedan offer "a host of segment-exclusive new features and technologies," while Car and Driver reports that the Ford Fusion "dips into Ford's more recent bag of tricks for its customizable ambient/cupholder lighting system." According to Jalopnik, the 2010 Ford Fusion also offers a "cabin air filter [that] is standard for the first time on the Ford Fusion" and "removes respiratory irritants and toxins caused by traffic and industrial pollution." TheCarConnection.com has learned that other standard features include a tilt/telescopic steering wheel and a CD audio system that is MP3 compatible, along with power accessories.
The options list on both the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid and the standard Ford Fusion is lengthy, and includes most of the latest features you'd expect in a luxury vehicle. Car and Driver says that their tester comes with an "excellent touch-screen navigation system," while a package is available that includes "a power moonroof, a rear-view camera, 12-speaker audio system, and a blind-spot warning system." ConsumerGuide also reports that "Ford's Sync voice-activated interface for cell phones and MP3 players" is available on the Ford Fusion. Reviews read by TheCarConnection.com love the big navigation screen that can sit in the center of the Ford Fusion's center console. Automobile Magazine raves about the "premium eight-inch navigation system," which is one of the largest screens in any vehicle on the road today. Also, Jalopnik states that a "Sony-branded audio system" is available and notes that the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid, along with the traditional versions, is "the first mid-size sedan in North America to offer a Sony-branded audio system with surround sound and DSP processing as a factory option."
One item that reviewers invariably mention is the instrument panel in the new 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid. Automobile Magazine says that the Fusion Hybrid "has its own unique instrument cluster, in which the speedometer is flanked with several LCD color displays that help the driver keep tabs on the unique powertrain and monitor his all-important mpg." Car and Driver loves that one of the displays in the Hybrid features "a tree branch that grows more leaves as the vehicle is driven in what's determined to be an environmentally friendly manner."
Conclusion: The 2010 Ford Fusion is weighed down with features, but not enough to slow this spirited performer.
