Ford Fusion named 'Motor Trend' Car of the Year

2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid. Fusion is most fuel-efficient midsize sedan in U.S. for both hybrid and conventional gasoline models. Hybrid gets EPA 41 mpg rating city/36 mpg highway. Four-cylinder gas Fusion has best-in-class highway rating of 34 mpg. Fusion is now one of the ten best-selling vehicles in the USA and has been lauded by Consumer Reports for

Motor Trend's choice of the Ford Fusion as its 2010 Car of the Year isn't the most exciting choice, but it's further proof of how the Dearborn, Mich., maker can seem to do no wrong these days.

In brushing aside flashier cars, Motor Trend lauded Fusion as an "economical midsize sedan that doesn't cost much, yet won't bore you to tears." They liked the hybrid version and how Fords are coming packed with more electronic gadgets. They liked how the car comes in many different iterations -- an "impressive bandwidth." But consider the rivals:

The accomplishment becomes more impressive when measured against the competition -- namely, Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, two of the best-selling cars in history. One of the judges, Arthur St. Antoine, said the Fusion is "a compelling sweep across one of the market's most hotly contested segments."

Fusion has done well in the marketplace, moving up to become one of the 10 best-selling vehicles in the U.S. market. And Consumer Reports recommends it for reliability. But the magazine rated Subaru Legacy as a better family sedan than the Fusion in the current issue. Lately, Fusion has been eclipsed by the hoopla surrounding the launch of the Ford Taurus, a larger and plusher car.