2020 Ford Fusion Hybrid

Is the Ford Fusion Hybrid a Good Car?

Yes, the 2020 Ford Fusion Hybrid is a good car. It’s sportier than many of its hybrid and electric car rivals, and it has one of the most intuitive infotainment systems on the market. This Ford also has a nice helping of standard features. However, many competing hybrids are more fuel-efficient and have larger trunks. Some of them have stronger powertrains too.

Should I Buy the Ford Fusion Hybrid?

If you want a comfortable vehicle for city commuting that's also fun to drive, the Fusion Hybrid is a decent choice. One of the main reasons to buy a hybrid, however, is fuel economy, and in that area, the Fusion Hybrid falls short of rivals such as the Toyota Camry Hybrid and the Toyota Prius. You might consider the nonhybrid Ford Fusion, which offers adept handling and a larger trunk, or the Ford Fusion Energi, a plug-in similar to the Fusion Hybrid but with an all-electric range of 26 miles and an MPG-equivalent rating of 103.

Compare the Fusion Hybrid, Camry Hybrid, and Prius »

Should I Buy a New or Used Ford Fusion Hybrid?

Ford last redesigned the Fusion Hybrid for the 2013 model year. The 2020 model underwent no major updates, but the 2019 model saw some big changes. The trim lineup was simplified, and several safety features became standard, such as blind spot monitoring, forward collision warning, and forward automatic emergency braking (these were options in 2018 and 2017 models). If you care about the infotainment system, stick with a 2017-or-newer Fusion Hybrid, as the available SYNC 3 system replaced the much-maligned MyFord Touch interface that year.

If you’re interested in a used model, be sure to read our 2017, 2018, and 2019 Fusion Hybrid reviews to help make your decision. You can also check out our Used Car Deals page to learn about savings and discounts on used vehicles.

Compare the 2018, 2019, and 2020 Fusion Hybrid »

We Did the Research for You: 34 Reviews Analyzed

Our goal is to provide you with the information you need to make car shopping a breeze. You'll find everything you need to know about the Ford Fusion Hybrid in our comprehensive review. It combines concrete data like fuel economy estimates and cargo space dimensions with professional evaluations from 34 automotive sources. This Ford Fusion Hybrid review incorporates applicable research for all vehicles in this generation, which includes the 2013 through 2020 model years.

Why You Can Trust Us

We’ve been reviewing cars since 2007, and our Best Cars team has more than 75 years of combined automotive experience. We also award the Best Cars for the Money, Best Cars for Families, and Best Vehicle Brands on an annual basis. To ensure our impartiality, a third party handles our advertising, and we don't accept expensive gifts from automakers.

How Much Does the Ford Fusion Hybrid Cost?

With a starting MSRP of $28,000, the Fusion Hybrid's retail price is a bit more expensive than its nonhybrid midsize rivals, but it’s competitively priced compared to most hybrid and electric vehicles.

Check out our U.S. News Best Price Program for great savings at your local Ford dealer. You can also find excellent manufacturer incentives on our Ford deals page.

Ford Fusion Hybrid Versus the Competition

Which Is Better: Ford Fusion Hybrid or Toyota Camry Hybrid?

The Toyota Camry Hybrid is an outstanding midsize hybrid car. Like the Ford, the Camry Hybrid has an intuitive infotainment system. Both vehicles also have smooth rides but grabby brakes. The Ford is a bit sportier, but the Toyota is more fuel-efficient. Not only that, but the Camry Hybrid’s powertrain makes 20 more horsepower and produces quicker acceleration than the Fusion Hybrid. Additionally, the Camry Hybrid has a larger trunk. In this comparison, the Toyota comes out ahead

Which Is Better: Ford Fusion Hybrid or Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid?

The Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid has much in common with the Fusion. Both cars have an intuitive infotainment system equipped with a rich array of tech features, including Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone connectivity. Both also have small trunks, though the Chevy’s is a bit tinier. The Fusion Hybrid has nicer cabin materials, but the Malibu Hybrid has better fuel economy estimates and quicker acceleration, and its brakes lack the grabby feeling often associated with hybrids. Choosing between these two is a matter of preference.

Compare the Fusion Hybrid, Camry Hybrid, and Malibu Hybrid »

Fusion Hybrid Interior

How Many People Does the Fusion Hybrid Seat?

This Ford seats up to five people. Cloth upholstery and a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat are standard. Partial-leather and full-leather upholstery is available, as are heated and ventilated front seats, a power-adjustable front passenger seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a heated steering wheel. Taller adults will find a nice amount of head- and legroom in both rows.

Fusion Hybrid and Child Car Seats

The Fusion Hybrid has two complete sets of LATCH car-seat connectors for the rear outboard seats, as well as an upper tether anchor for the rear middle seat. The middle seat has the ability to borrow a lower anchor from adjacent seats. The lower anchors are set deep in the seats, and they may be hard to maneuver around.

Fusion Hybrid Interior Quality

The Fusion Hybrid boasts a classy cabin lined with premium materials and soft-touch surfaces.

Fusion Hybrid Cargo Space

This Ford has a 12-cubic-foot trunk. That’s enough space for a few grocery bags, but it’s smaller than what most rivals offer.

Fusion Hybrid Infotainment, Bluetooth, and Navigation

The base Fusion Hybrid comes well-equipped and features the SYNC 3 infotainment system, an 8-inch touch screen, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, a Wi-Fi hot spot, navigation, two USB ports, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and a nine-speaker stereo. An 11-speaker stereo, a 12-speaker stereo, and HD Radio are available.

The SYNC 3 infotainment system is easy to use. The touch screen responds quickly to inputs, and there are several well-placed physical buttons and knobs for controlling some functions.

Read more about interior »

Fusion Hybrid Performance

Fusion Hybrid Engine: From Good to Better

The Ford Fusion Hybrid uses a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and an 88-kW electric motor that combine to make 188 horsepower. They are paired to a continuously variable automatic transmission.

As is the case with most vehicles featuring electric motors, the Fusion Hybrid is quick off the line thanks to near-instant torque delivery. Acceleration after that is more leisurely. There’s plenty for driving around town, but when you need to pass someone or merge on the highway, acceleration can take some time.

Fusion Hybrid Gas Mileage: Could Be Better for a Hybrid

The 2020 Fusion Hybrid gets an EPA-estimated 43 mpg in the city and 41 mpg on the highway. Those are great ratings for a midsize vehicle, but many hybrids have superior fuel economy figures.

Fusion Hybrid Ride and Handling: Capably Fun

Hybrids aren't known for being fun to drive, but the Ford Fusion is an exception. It's no sports sedan like the Ford Mustang, but well-weighted steering and agility let it tackle twists and turns with composure. You don't have to sacrifice comfort either, as the Fusion rides smoothly over most roads. The brakes can feel a bit grabby though, which is common among hybrids.

Read more about performance »

Fusion Hybrid Reliability

Is the Ford Fusion Hybrid Reliable?

The 2020 Ford Fusion Hybrid has a slightly above-average predicted reliability rating of 3.5 out of five from J.D. Power.

Ford Fusion Hybrid Warranty

The Fusion Hybrid is covered by a three-year/36,000-mile limited warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. Ford also covers some of the hybrid components for eight years or 100,000 miles.

Read more about reliability »

Fusion Hybrid Safety

Fusion Hybrid Crash Test Results

At the time of writing, neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has crash tested the 2020 Ford Fusion Hybrid.

Fusion Hybrid Safety Features

Standard active safety features in this Ford include the Co-Pilot360 suite of driver aids, which features forward collision warning, forward automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, a rearview camera, and automatic high-beam headlights. Rain-sensing windshield wipers, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, and rear parking sensors are also standard.

The Fusion Hybrid also comes with Ford MyKey. This system includes additional seat belt reminders, and it encourages safe driving by letting you do things like set speed and audio volume limits for secondary drivers.

No other advanced safety features are available.

Read more about safety »

Ford Fusion Hybrid Dimensions and Weight

The 2020 Fusion Hybrid sedan is about 16 feet long. Its curb weight is 3,668 pounds.

Where Is the 2020 Ford Fusion Hybrid Built?

Ford builds the 2020 Fusion Hybrid in Mexico.

Which Ford Fusion Hybrid Model Is Right for Me?

Ford offers the Fusion Hybrid in three trims: SE, SEL, and Titanium. The base trim comes decently equipped with a lot of tech and safety features, but customers after more comfort and convenience should get the SEL trim.

The plug-in Ford Fusion Energi and the nonhybrid Ford Fusion are both reviewed separately.

Ford Fusion Hybrid SE

The entry-level Ford Fusion Hybrid SE has a starting MSRP of $28,000. For that price, you’ll get the SYNC 3 infotainment system, an 8-inch touch screen, navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a Wi-Fi hot spot, two USB ports, a nine-speaker stereo, satellite radio, cloth upholstery, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, dual-zone automatic climate control, and push-button start.

Also included are adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, rear parking sensors, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and Ford’s Co-Pilot360 suite of advanced safety features, which includes a rearview camera, blind spot monitoring, lane keep assist, a pre-collision warning and braking system, rear cross traffic alert, and automatic high-beam headlights.

A moonroof is available for $1,095.

Ford Fusion Hybrid SEL

With a starting MSRP of $31,630, the Fusion Hybrid SEL gains an 11-speaker stereo, heated front seats, partial leather seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, proximity keyless entry, and remote start.

Other than the moonroof, no major options are available.

Ford Fusion Hybrid Titanium

The Fusion Hybrid Titanium retails for $34,595. It includes the SEL’s features and adds full leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, a six-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, a heated steering wheel, a moonroof, HD Radio, and a 12-speaker Sony stereo.

Check out our U.S. News Best Price Program for great savings at your local Ford dealer. You can also find excellent manufacturer incentives on our Ford deals page.

See 2020 Ford Fusion Hybrid specs and trims »

The Final Call

The 2020 Ford Fusion Hybrid features sprightly handling that helps distinguish it from other hybrids. Many of its rivals, however, offer better fuel economy, larger trunks, and more-capable engines. This Ford isn’t a bad pick, but it’s worth shopping around before settling on the Fusion.

There’s also a plug-in variant, the Ford Fusion Energi, and the nonhybrid Ford Fusion, both of which are reviewed separately.

Don’t just take our word for it. Check out comments from some of the reviews that drive our rankings and analysis.

• "The Ford Fusion Hybrid is an excellent choice if you want a hybrid sedan with some pizzazz. We appreciate its generously sized cabin, intuitive Sync 3 interface, smooth ride, and wide range of standard advanced technology features. And while it has been on the market for quite a while, its shark-like styling still holds up." -- Edmunds
• "The Fusion hybrids aren't the most efficient or cargo-friendly in their classes, but they drive well and boast attractive looks in a sedan body style. At the right price, they might just make sense." -- Motor Trend (2017)
• "While many hybrid-sedan shoppers may automatically go to Toyota because of that brand's pioneering reputation with such powertrains, they'll be doing themselves a disservice if they don't first consider the alternatives. The Fusion's superior refinement and attractive design make a strong argument." -- Car and Driver (2017)