SPECIFICATIONSPRICEAS TESTED ...................................... $35,265BASE ............................................... $27,995

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan OPTIONS: rapid spec package 505A, $2000; SE luxury driver assist package, $1000; adaptive cruise control, $995; SE technology package, $895; navigation system, $795; active park assist, $795; 18-inch painted wheels, $495; reverse sensing system, $295 STANDARD: power windows, driver’s seat, and locks; remote locking; cruise control; tilting and telescoping steering wheelAUDIO SYSTEM: satellite radio; CD player; minijack, 2 USB, 2 media-card, and Bluetooth-audio inputs; 6 speakers

ENGINE Atkinson-cycle inline-4, aluminum block and headBORE X STROKE ... 3.44 x 3.27 in, 87.5 x 83.1 mmDISPLACEMENT .................... 122 cu in, 1999 ccCOMPRESSION RATIO .............................. 12.3:1FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM ............. port injectionVALVE GEAR double overhead cams, 4 valves per cylinder, variable intake-valve timing POWER ............................. 141 hp @ 6000 rpmTORQUE ........................ 129 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm

ELECTRIC MOTORS2 AC permanent-magnet synchronousMAIN DRIVE MOTOR ................ 118 hp, 117 lb-ftBATTERY ........................ prismatic lithium-ion,

1.4 kWh capacityCOMBINED POWER RATING ................ 188 hp

DRIVETRAINTRANSMISSION ... continuously variable automatic

CHASSISunit construction with 2 rubber-isolated subframesBODY MATERIAL: steel and aluminum stampings

STEERINGrack-and-pinion with electric power assistRATIO ................................................... 14.8:1TURNS LOCK-TO-LOCK ............................... 2.8TURNING CIRCLE CURB-TO-CURB ........... 37.5 ft

SUSPENSIONF: ind, strut located by a control arm, coil springs, anti-roll barR: ind; 1 lower control arm, 1 upper lateral link, and a toe-control link per side; coil springs; anti-roll bar

BRAKESF: 11.8 x 0.8-in vented discR: 11.9 x 0.4-in discSTABILITY CONTROL ....................... traction off

WHEELS AND TIRES:WHEEL SIZE/CONSTRUCTION ............ 7.5 x 18 in

cast aluminumTIRES ......................... Goodyear Eagle LS2, 235/

45R-18 94V M+S

EXTERIOR DIMENSIONSWHEELBASE ................................ 112.2 inLENGTH ...................................... 191.8 inWIDTH .......................................... 72.9 inHEIGHT ....................................... 58.2 inFRONT TRACK ............................. 62.3 inREAR TRACK ............................... 62.0 inGROUND CLEARANCE ..................... 5.1 in

INTERIOR DIMENSIONSSAE VOLUME ......... F: 58 cu ft R: 48 cu ftTRUNK ........................................ 12 cu ft

tested by K.C. Colwellin Chelsea, Michigan

CAR AND DRIVER TEST RESULTS

HANDLINGROADHOLDING, 300-FT-DIA SKIDPAD* ............. 0.85 gUNDERSTEER ...................... MODERATE*Stability-control inhibited.

TEST NOTES: While it is possible to disable traction control, skidpad cornering speed is inhibited by an intrusive stability-control system.

TEST NOTES: The available traction is more than enough to handle all that the hybrid powertrain has to offer at launch, so wheelspin is not an issue. To fully charge the battery between launches, put the car in park and depress the gas pedal.

INTERIOR SOUND LEVELIDLE (ENGINE ON/OFF) ............. 42/28 dBa FULL THROTTLE ......................... 79 dBa70-MPH CRUISING ...................... 70 dBa

FUELCAPACITY ................................... 13.5 galOCTANE .............................................. 87 EPA CITY/HWY .................... 47/47 mpg C/D OBSERVED ..................... 32 mpg

WEIGHTCURB ........................................... 3682 lbPER HORSEPOWER ...................... 19.6 lbDISTRIBUTION .......... F: 58.3% R: 41.7%CENTER–OF–GRAVITY HEIGHT .... 23.0 inTOWING CAPACITY ............................ 0 lb

TEST NOTES: Braking performance is acceptable except for a very spongy pedal feel. So spongy, in fact, that there wasn’t sufficient back pressure to activate our pedal-mounted trigger when the brakes were mashed.

BRAKING, 70-TO-ZERO MPHFIRST STOP .................................... 177 ftSHORTEST STOP .......................... 177 ftLONGEST STOP ............................. 180 ftFADE RATING .............................. SLIGHT

ACCELERATIONZERO TO SECONDS

30 MPH ............................................... 3.240 MPH .............................................. 4.850 MPH .............................................. 6.860 MPH .......................................... 9.170 MPH .............................................. 11.880 MPH .............................................. 15.090 MPH ............................................... 19.1100 MPH .................................... 24.9

ROLLING START, 5–60 MPH ............ 8.9TOP GEAR, 30–50 MPH ................... 4.3TOP GEAR, 50–70 MPH .................... 6.11/4-MILE ............. 17.0 sec @ 85 mphTOP SPEED (GOV LTD) ............... 105 mph

COMPETITORSCHEVROLET MALIBU ECO (2.4-LITER INLINE-4, 182 HP, 6-SP AUTO)FORD FUSION HYBRID (2.0-LITER INLINE-4, 188 HP, CVT)HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID (2.4-LITER INLINE-4, 206 HP, 6-SP AUTO)TOYOTA CAMRY XLE HYBRID (2.5-LITER INLINE-4, 200 HP, CVT)

ACCELERATION 0–60 & 1/4-mile, seconds

CAMRYMALIBUFUSIONSONATA

6 8 10 14 16 18

Ford Fusion SE hybrid

NOTABLE

HIGHLIGHTS

Ford’s hybrid system

is similar in concept

to Toyota’s Hybrid

Synergy Drive but goes

the extra mile by using

lithium-ion batteries.

CURRENT BASE PRICE* dollars x 1000*Base price includes freight, any performance options, and applicable gas-guzzler tax.

MALIBUFUSIONCAMRY (2012)SONATA (2012)

26 28 30 32

70-0 BRAKING feet

MALIBUFUSIONCAMRYSONATA

160 170 180 190 200

ROADHOLDING 300-foot skidpad, g

FUSIONMALIBUCAMRYSONATA

0.70 0.75 0.80 0.85