Québec City, QC–Contrary to what some people might believe, the Ford Motor Company is on a bit of a roll. Unlike their “Big Three” brethren, they haven’t needed any bailout money from any governments—and they actually have innovative and market-appropriate vehicles arriving in dealerships this year. Case in point, the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid.

Already hitting showroom floors as we speak, this mid-size sedan employs the company’s second-generation hybrid drive system, an evolution of the system that has powered the redoubtable Ford Escape Hybrid since 2004. (Think U.S. carmakers are suffering due to a lack of long-term thinking? The Escape was the first hybrid built by an American manufacturer and the first hybrid SUV to come from any manufacturer. So there.)

The new hybrid drive system for the Fusion features a 70-kW electric motor linked to a 2.5-litre 4-cylinder gasoline engine. Although the gas engine is larger than the old system’s 2.3-litre 4, it actually helps to create better fuel efficiency because it’s not working as hard to propel the car down the road. The total output for both engines combined is 191 horsepower and 136 lb-ft of torque, not exactly tire-smoking numbers, but more than enough to get you rolling.

Setting a “fuelish” pace

Of course, the bigger news in terms of engine performance is the car’s fuel efficiency. The Fusion Hybrid is rated at 4.6 L/100 km in the city and 5.4 L/100 km on the highway. According to Ford, this means their new offering is the most fuel efficient mid-size car on the market, bettering even the Toyota Camry Hybrid, currently the most popular hybrid in Canada.

Our test drive of the Fusion consisted of a very slow-speed tour of old Quebec and the surroundings with the objective of generating the best fuel economy over the 43-km trek. While we adhered to the strictest rules for maximizing efficiency—no speedy getaways at stoplights, coasting at every opportunity, using the car’s regenerative brakes to build up more battery power for the electric motor—the best we could accomplish was 5.7 L/100 km.

At one point, we even drafted behind a horse-drawn carriage around the Plains of Abraham, but to no avail. Still, that’s 50 mpg for all your imperialists out there—and that’s mighty impressive for a mid-size sedan in this day and age. Here’s another characteristic of this car that is undeniably cool: You can drive at 75 km/h powered by the electric motor alone. For those who think that hybrids offer an inherently dull driving experience—and I’ve said so myself in the past—there’s a real thrill to motoring down the road at that speed knowing you aren’t using even a drop of fuel.

The Fusion Hybrid benefits from a smaller and lighter battery pack that produces 20% more power than that of the previous hybrid system. Also new is the improved regenerative braking system that recaptures close to 94% of the energy created by the brakes. The brake feel is also very good compared to other hybrid cars; it doesn’t have that mushy “are the brakes still working?” feel that many regenerative systems suffer from.

Power from the engines is delivered via an electronic continuously variable transmission (eCVT). The brains behind the operation of the transmission, and all other aspects of the hybrid drive system, is called the Vehicle System Controller (VSC); it ensures smooth power delivery at all times and shuts the engine down completely when the car is stopped.

Reskinned, resurfaced, refreshed

There are other new aspects to the 2010 Ford Fusion. The car is completely revised with a more muscular exterior look; the enhancements include new headlamps, tail lamps and “power dome” style hood, as well as a more prominent chrome grille and larger fog lamp cluster. The Fusion was a handsome sedan before; it’s even more so now.

Under the skin, the entire fleet of Fusions—there are three different gas-only versions as well—benefits from a firmer suspension system and various noise-reducing materials. Inside, the cabin has been completely updated, but the net effect is not entirely positive.

While the instrument panel on the Fusion Hybrid has some nifty elements—including bar graphs and other visuals designed to help you drive more efficiently—the tactile elements of the interior are comprised of a mish-mash of black plastics. Considering the high-tech nature of the car, the use of these dated materials is even more disappointing. No doubt, cost-savings played a role here as Ford worked to bring the car in at a competitive price.

Speaking of which, that price is $31,999—about a grand more than the 2010 Toyota Camry Hybrid. But having driven the Toyota immediately before and after the Fusion Hybrid, the Ford is the more engaging car and one that would very likely deliver better sustained fuel efficiency in real-world driving conditions.

This isn’t the forum for debating whether or not we should separate ourselves from cars that are even partially powered by gasoline engines—that’s a discussion for another day. But for right now, a mid-size sedan that sips fuel, runs on electric power alone at elevated speeds, shuts down completely at stoplights and emits reduced tailpipe emissions is just the ticket.

Well played, Ford, well played.

2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid: Specifications

Base price   $31,999
Vehicle type   Front engine, front-wheel drive sedan
Engines   2.5-litre inline-4 cylinder gas engine; 70-kW electric engine
Power/torque   191 hp/136 lb-ft
Transmission  Electronically-controlled CVT
Fuel consumption 4.6 city, 5.4 highway (L/100 km)