Review by Alex Kramer

Pros:

• Outstanding gas mileage
• Good balance between performance and fuel economy
• Excellent suspension tuning
• Plush & roomy interior

Cons:

• Cautious exterior styling
• Sketchy tire selection
• Somewhat steep sticker price

After a decade of reliable service and strong sales, hybrid cars are no longer just a novelty and will likely become more common and mainstream in the future. Although Ford has the distinction of being the first American manufacturer to offer a hybrid car (in the form of the Escape Hybrid SUV, launched in 2005), the blue oval has lagged a bit in spreading this fuel saving technology to other models in its lineup, which is a shame given the increasingly strong demand for more fuel efficient, environmentally friendly cars.

Fortunately, Ford has weathered the storm of the economic recession and is renewing its commitment to gasoline-electric hybrids and increased fuel efficiency in general. With the new 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid and Mercury Milan Hybrid sedans, Ford not only challenges the Japanese hybrid hegemony, but has also succeeded in producing one of the most well rounded hybrid cars on the road today.

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By Greg Gaillard

Hybrids Come of Age

Just 10 years ago Honda released the Insight as the first US mass market hybrid combustion/electric car.  Its two seat aerodynamic teardrop shape, light weight and focused engineering delivered spectacular fuel economy that generated quite a bit of media attention.  In the real world however, the Insight represented significant compromises in terms of utility, performance and perceived safety.  Launched at the height of the SUV boom alongside inexpensive gasoline, sales weren’t significant and to many people the Insight was another Honda engineering experiment; a car that Honda’s Asimo robot might drive, but not something American families would put in their garage.

What a difference a decade makes.  Last week the EPA released its annual Fuel Economy Guide for 2010 and hybrids swept the podium with 9 out of the top 10 MPG scores.  At least in terms of EPA ratings, hybrids are the drivetrain technology of the moment.  Perhaps more important than MPG is how the technology has evolved into a variety of solutions that can be used across a range of body styles without many of the original Insight’s compromises.

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