US News and World Report Calls 2015 Ford Fusion Hybrid 'Best Hybrid Car for Families"

The 2015 Ford Fusion Hybrid has earned the "Best Hybrid Car for Families" award from U.S. News and World Report. This is its fourth year to receive this honor. The magazine assesses the vehicle based on a compilation of reviews by such professional automotive critics as Edmunds.com. U.S. News also bases its award on such factors as safety, reliability, family-friendly features, passenger volume, and cargo space. In winning this accolade, the 2015 Ford Fusion Hybrid beat out competition such as the Lexus GS Hybrid and the Honda Accord Hybrid.

In its announcement, U.S. News and World Report stated that a good family car achieves the art of balance. This means that the vehicle provides what a family needs plus the good stuff that today’s families want. For instance, the Fusion Hybrid offers two exclusive systems that are not available to families who purchase a different hybrid.

The Fusion is the only hybrid to offer a system that allows parents to set limits on their teenage drivers. Mom or Dad can use Ford MyKey to limit the vehicle’s speed and ensure seatbelt use. MyKey can set stereo volume limits, too. The Fusion is also the only hybrid to offer inflatable second-row seatbelts. This unique safety feature is specially designed to reduce children’s vulnerability in a crash setting.

Parents certainly will appreciate the Fusion's safety ratings. The Fusion Hybrid has a five-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It also earned Top Safety Pick when tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The sedan features eight airbags, which is two more than the industry average.

Edmunds, which has named the Ford Fusion Hybrid as its top overall pick in the hybrid class, has praised the car for its crash avoidance and automatic driving features. In its review, Edmunds noted that this hybrid is more affordable than the average car with these systems. Automatic braking is an advanced feature of the forward collision warning system. A lane departure assist actually tugs at the wheel if the lane departure alert doesn't elicit a quick response from the driver. There’s also a blind spot monitor to assist with lane changes.

Automatic driving features include adaptive cruise control (ACC) and parallel park assist. ACC uses radar to determine if the car is going too fast for conditions. It will reduce speed until it is safe to resume the speed that the driver has requested. Parallel park assist requires minimal driver input to successfully park the car.

Among its family-friendly attributes, the Fusion hybrid can count the intrinsic value of its spacious, well-appointed interior. The back seat is actually comfortable for adults, making this sedan a good fit for families with teens. The trunk can be expanded with split-folding rear seats. As U.S. News and World Report points out, the Fusion Hybrid’s rivals don’t offer the split-folding rear seats, giving the edge to the Fusion.

The Fusion Hybrid also offers modern dash technology. Sync's sophisticated smartphone integration provides streaming audio, hands-free phone calls, and hands-free text messaging. The standard rearview camera makes life easier for families on the go.

With its money-saving fuel economy and its family-friendly attitude, the 2015 Ford Fusion Hybrid has earned top marks from reviewers. To find out if it is right for your family, schedule a test drive at your local Ford dealership.

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