I have three hybrid cars with commensurate pricing: the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid base, 2010 Toyota Prius base and a loaded 2009 Toyota Prius. The latter seems like the best deal, but now I’m reading of braking and seat problems. Any advice?
You should really wait until the 2010 Prius (pictured below, left, next to 2009 Prius) is available to test drive before you make a decision between these hybrids. The Fusion Hybrid and the 2009 Prius are available now, but the 2010 isn’t expected to be on dealership lots until late May.
The 2010 Prius is a significant improvement over the 2009; it benefits from increased gas mileage ratings, a higher quality interior and an MSRP that isn’t significantly higher than the 2009’s. In fact, the entry-level 2009 and 2010 Prius both start at $22,000; the pricing differences come in the higher trim levels.
The current generation Prius has had complaints about the brake-pedal feel associated with its regenerative braking, but it’s a characteristic of the car and not a problem. You’ll be able to judge if it’s a deal-breaker when you test drive one. The same goes for the seating, which Toyota has upgraded for the 2010 Prius. More details about each car can be found in our expert reviews, below.
The 2009 Prius might be more attractive with its current incentive of zero-percent financing for up to 60 months in your area. Between the financing offer and the arrival of the 2010 Prius, you could find a good deal on a new 2009 Prius or even a used 2009 from current owners that are looking to trade-in for the new model. Orders are already being placed for the 2010 models, so it might be a while before you can take delivery of one.
The Fusion Hybrid is a little out of place in this comparison as it starts at $27,270 and is a larger, more traditional sedan compared to the hatchback Prius. The Fusion Hybrid competes with Toyota’s 2010 Camry Hybrid.
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I have a Prius, and I am replacing it with a Ford Fusion hybrid in a few months. You should test drive a Fusion (waaaaay more roomy and comfortable than my Prius, imo) and do a google search to read all the rave reviews and stats (it is all electric up to 47 mph, and gets about 41 miles per gallon when going faster than that). Personally, I prefer to buy American when I can. Our economy could sure use the help.
Buy American? That argument is so tired. Fords are made in #$#%# Mexico. You aren't buying American you're buying Mexican!
Toyota has already spent hundreds of millions of dollars to build a plant in Mississippi to build the Prius. Unfortunately, the economy has put a hold their capital spending but Prius' will be flowing out of Tupelo once people start buying cars again.
Toyota has already spent hundreds of millions of dollars to build a plant in Mississippi to build the Prius. Unfortunately, the economy has put a hold their capital spending but Prius' will be flowing out of Tupelo once people start buying cars again.
Toyota has already spent hundreds of millions of dollars to build a plant in Mississippi to build the Prius. Unfortunately, the economy has put a hold their capital spending but Prius' will be flowing out of Tupelo once people start buying cars again.
You should definitely buy a 2010 fusion hybrid. Ford did a test and trained people to drive efficiently and got 1,400 miles on one tank in a stock fusion hybrid averaging 81 mpg.
Chris,
That was hypermiling.
A Honda Insight did beat that mileage in 1999 and without hypermiling techniques like turning off the engine.
I think the US automakers NEED to go bankrupt - and that includes FORD! Nothing else will shake them up enough to wake them up! The U.S. has the technological ability to become the world leader in high-mileage alternative fuel vehicles, but the unions have WAY too much traditional thinking and dictate much of what is being done. By going bankrupt, they can dump the union contracts and negotiate completely new ones - that make U.S.automakers number one in the world again.
2010 Fusion hybrid was recently put to the test by Carl Edwards, a former NASCAR star, who drove the car well over a thousand miles.
The Ford web site states a few simple techniques that can help any driver improve their fuel economy. Some of these bits of advice include: accelerating smoothly up to the speed limit, coasting up to stop signs, minimizing the use of vehicle systems, and keeping the windows closed as much as possible to reduce drag.
Carl Edwards and his team used some of these techniques when putting the new Ford Fusion 2010 through the one thousand miles challenge. They drove continuously for 48 hours, and rotated drivers through the night.
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This is for FORD / how come you didnt want to make a car that competes with the Prius and sell it for 22k as well????
Americans would have bought a ZILLION from you if quality was anything like Fusion Hybrid or Prius, but smaller, I would have called it the PreFusion ( hey if Nissan can do it why cant Ford?).
I dont get why American companies can NOT make a small COMPACT hybrid ????