power, spewing no emissions and using no gas.
Once a little bit of power is required or the battery levels drop too far, the gas engine quietly kicks in with only the slightest hint of a transition. And because of the CVT, there aren't even gear changes to disrupt the car's forward motion.
In place of the car's normal gauges is an array of animations known collectively as the Smart Gauge. You see the typical fuel-level gauge and the fuel-economy readout.
On the left side of the speedometer are two bar graphs showing usage of battery power and/or gas engine power, with additional symbols announcing "EV" (gas engine off) travel and regenerative braking charging the batteries.
Working more like a video game is the decorative "plant" on the right side of the instrument panel, which "grows" more leaves as the car runs more economically. Bare branches instill a desire to drive better. Seeing full foliage is the reward for good driving.
The rest of the car performs like any other family car on the market. My test car was equipped with excellent heated leather seats. Ford's exclusive Sync system has made voice control simple and accessible, allowing for programming of the navigation system, sound system, and Bluetooth phone.
Entertainment in this very well-equipped model included Sirius satellite and HD radio built in, as well as USB connections for other devices.
It wasn't long ago that American cars were derided for their interior materials and quality. The Fusion goes a long way to make buyers forget all of the too-plastic-y dashboards and trim of Fords past.
Fit and finish is at or near the top of the industry here, with soft-touch materials almost anywhere the driver or passenger's hands may touch. It's a far cry from the kids' toy-like materials used just a few years ago.
That progression of Ford's quality and image has been further enhanced by the fact that it is the only domestic automobile manufacturer not to declare bankruptcy. Ford sales are up more dramatically than GM and Chrysler's based on two things: the perceived stability of the company and highly competitive products such as the Fusion.
Buyers who want to show off their "eco-friendly" buying habits will purchase a vehicle that screams "hybrid," such as the Toyota Prius or the Chevrolet Volt.
For those who like to be a little more subtle, however, the best choice on the market is the Ford Fusion Hybrid, combining excellent fuel economy and room for five adults wrapped in a top-quality pro-duct. It's the perfect fusion of today's family car and the fuel-economy needs of the near future.
This one time, inside Detroit's Ren Center, Sam Fiorani nearly got pulled over for joy riding a Prius...yes, inside the Ren Center! The car traveled a grand total of 18 inches before the authorities caught up with him.
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