Initial Quality – Though the Ford Fusion received a significant update for 2010, it is still quite similar to the 2009 model. In the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Initial Quality Study (IQS), which measures owner satisfaction with vehicle quality after 90 days of ownership, the 2009 Ford Fusion received 3 out of 5 Power Circle Ratings when compared to other vehicles in its class.

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Performance and Design – Though the Ford Fusion received a significant update for 2010, it is still quite similar to the 2009 model. In the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Automotive Performance, Execution, and Layout Study (APEAL), which measures owner satisfaction with performance and design attributes of a vehicle, the 2009 Ford Fusion received 4 out of 5 Power Circle Ratings when compared to other vehicles in its class.

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Vehicle Dependability – Though the Ford Fusion received a significant update for 2010, it is still quite similar to the 2006 model. In the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS), which measures owner satisfaction with a vehicle’s reliability after three years of ownership, the 2006 Ford Fusion received 4 out of 5 Power Circle Ratings when compared to other vehicles in its class.

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Fuel Economy – The 2010 Ford Fusion is equipped with the buyer’s choice between four powertrains ranging from a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine driving the front wheels through a manual transmission to a 3.5-liter V-6 driving all four wheels through a six-speed automatic. A sophisticated hybrid system is also available that can keep the Fusion Hybrid moving at 47 mph on electricity alone.

According to the EPA, the Fusion is rated to return between 17 and 41 mpg in the city and between 24 and 36 mpg on the highway, operating on regular unleaded fuel. Our review vehicle, a Ford Fusion Sport with the 3.5-liter V-6, six-speed automatic, and front-wheel drive, averaged 18.4 mpg in mixed driving with a suburban emphasis. Combined with the Fusion’s standard 17.5-gallon fuel tank, this actual fuel economy figure results in an approximate 320-mile range between fill-ups of regular unleaded.

Safety – According to the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the 2010 Ford Fusion receives 5-star crash-test ratings for the driver and front passenger in a frontal impact, a 5-star crash-test rating for front seat occupants in the side-impact test, and a 4-star crash-test rating for rear seat occupants in the side-impact test. With front-wheel drive, the 2010 Fusion receives a 4-star rollover rating and with all-wheel drive, it receives a 5-star rollover rating.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) calls the 2010 Ford Fusion a “Top Safety Pick,” because it received a “Good” rating in the frontal offset crash test, a “Good” rating in the side impact crash test, and a “Good” rating for rear impact protection.

Environment – According to the EPA, the 2010 Ford Fusion consumes between 8.8 and 18 barrels of petroleum annually, depending on which powertrain is selected. Carbon footprint ratings range from 4.7 to 9.6 tons of air pollution per year. The Fusion’s EPA air pollution scores were not published at the time this review was written.

Note: This review was published on October 2, 2009. It may not reflect data that has become available for this vehicle since that date.