By Jerry Kronenberg

The 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid is perhaps the best U.S.-branded car that Motor Mouth has ever driven.

An all-new gas/electric version of Ford's popular Fusion midsized sedan, the vehicle combines lovely styling and great ride quality with dynamite fuel efficiency. (Turn on the car with a full tank of gas and a display reads: "Miles to Empty: 650.")

Priced at $27,625, this Ford is so impressive that when I ran an errand at a Toyota dealership this past week, two salesmen came by to check the car out.

That's smart, because Ford is aiming Fusion Hybrid directly at the Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid.

The Fusion Hybrid comes in only one trim line, although two options packages and a selection of a la carte extras are available.

Motor Mouth's test car came with the $5,215 Rapid Spec 502A package, which includes stitched-leather seats, a 12-speaker Sony AM/ FM/CD/MP3 stereo, a power moonroof, a GPS, a backup camera and more.

On the outside, the Fusion Hybrid takes its styling cues from the Camry and other midsized Japanese sedans.

A medium-sized hood and a distinctive three-bar grille lead back to midsized doors and hefty 15-spoke alloy wheels.

All the way back, the Fusion Hybrid features a good-sized keyless- entry trunk.

Inside, the car offers a nice mix of comfort, convenience and cool fuel-efficiency displays.

My test Fusion Hybrid's comfortable heated front seats featured electric seat adjusters and excellent stitched-leather upholstery.

The car's dashboard has a large speedometer flanked by several fuel-economy readouts.

Perhaps the neatest gauge is what Ford calls "Efficiency Leaves." That's a digital picture of a vine covered with leaves that thicken up or thin out depending on how efficiently you're driving.

Additionally, my test Fusion Hybrid featured a great touchscreen LCD that controls the car's GPS, stereo and dual-zone climate system.

This LCD also offers STILL MOREcool fuel-economy measures. Motor Mouth's favorite: A cartoon-like display that shows power flowing between the hybrid's tires, gas engine, electric motor and battery pack.

In back, the Fusion Hybrid's rear seats offer good headroom, legroom and hiproom for three passengers. A trio of adults will find these seats comfortable for even somewhat long trips - a rarity these days.

All the way back, the vehicle's trunk offers a fairly generous 11.8 cubic feet of space.

On the road, the Fusion Hybrid's 156-horsepower gas engine, 35- horsepower electric motor and continuously variable automatic transmission combine to produce a great ride.

Start the car up and the Fusion Hybrid's electric motor makes absolutely no sound at all.

In fact, you'll think the car has stalled out - the hybrid's gas engine doesn't kick until you hit 2 mph or so.

However, the Fusion Hybrid offers a smooth, quiet ride even after this engine comes on.

Additionally, the model has great acceleration, as well as solid cornering and braking. Backing up and parking are likewise easy thanks to the Fusion Hybrid's good sightlines and modest size.

As for fuel efficiency, the EPA rates the Fusion Hybrid at a 41 mpg/city and 36 mpg/highway - 8 mpg/city better than the Camry Hybrid.

True, the $27,625 Fusion Hybrid costs a bit more than the $26,150 Camry Hybrid or $26,650 Nissan Altima Hybrid.

Ford also makes the Fusion in Mexico, opening up questions about the car's long-term build quality and resale value.

Still, the Fusion Hybrid is a real find: A U.S.-branded vehicle that's as good if not better than its Japanese rivals. Way to go, Ford!

Test drive

Information about the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid:

** Base price: $27,625

** As tested: $31,940

** Type: front-wheel-drive five-passenger hybrid sedan

** Engine: electric motor and 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine (191 total horsepower)

** Transmission: continuously variable automatic

** Mileage: 41 mpg/city, 36 mpg/highway

** Built in: Mexico

Originally published by By Jerry Kronenberg.

(c) 2009 Boston Herald. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.