At the Avis counter at the Madison, WI airport I was offered the following :
Volvo S40
Toyota Avalon or Corolla
Ford Fusion
Chevy Tahoe

This rental was shouldered by Dean Health Systems and not on my dime btw.

Initial instinct said go for the premium volvo or the avalon but I said nah I'm going domestic and economical so I went with the 2010 Ford Fusion (loaded w/ leather).

I've driven my sisters 2010 Camry Hybrid as well as my friends 2010 Corolla XRS on numerous occasions so I had something to compare the Fusion with. Also had a 2010 Malibu for a rental last month for a week after someone hit our Sequoia in parking lot. Very honest lady left all her contact info on windshield and it ended up costing 1,500 dollars.

Man I was very pleased with the vehicle for 800 miles worth of driving over 4 days. I took it to the Mall of America and through much of WI. I even got pulled over and clocked at 83mph in Wassau, WI. I told the officer that I was just keeping up with traffic in the right lane. He asked if it was a rental and I said yes. Then asked me what was I doing in town from WV and told him I had a job interview at a local hospital. To my surprise he said good luck with the job interview and let me off with a warning. Thank Goodness!

Back to the Fusion, I told my wife I know what our next vehicle is and she says what a Fusion and I said no a Lincoln MKS hybrid. (We have been considering a Camry Hybrid or Lexus HS Hybrid. I have driven both.) I have yet to be in a Lincoln MKS but the Fusion's fit and finish was first rate. So I would assume Lincoln must be even better than this already well-equipped Fusion.

The cabin was very quiet, the doors shut solid like a Lexus. Very surprised that a Ford assembled in Mexico had such a quality feel and build to it. The engine felt like a V6 but was only a V4. The fuel efficiency was excellent at 31mpg cosidering the frequent WOT and aggressive driving I was doing. And believe me the thing can do a 100mph very easily and catch you off guard! And the ride was much sportier than the numb feeling of my sister's Camry or my friend's Corolla.

I've never owned a Ford only a 1995 Chevy blazer before Sequoia and my wife's 4Runner. But the Fusion platform has earned a spot for serious consideration for our next fuel-efficient sedan. Sorry Mr. Toyoda.

I would've picked the Volvo S40.

I would pick the Lincoln MKS also among your choices. The Fusion Hybrid was on my short list when i was picking out my next car. Lexus HS is a dumb and rush job by Lexus/Toyota...pathetic sales reflect this. The Toyota Camry Hybrid, although better looking for 2010, is still old technology and has a very soft (comfy) ride with one-finger steering effort.

The Fusion Hybrid is everything that you said above. I did find that the ride was a tad rough on rough pavement (plenty here in Texas). But, this is partly how it has become the "sportiest" of hybrids. Hopefully, the Lincoln MKS Hybrid has fixed this (or not depending, on your viewpoint). There is one major issue with the Fusion...apparently the front subframe can crack (or something like that). No one is sure if that was fixed with the 2010 midface lift, but there are doubts since it was just a facelift. Again, hopefully, the MKS Hybrid has done something to fix this. The Sony stereo system (in the Fusion) was just a tad below the JBL in the Camry Hybrid (IMO). The Fusion/MKS does come with a bunch of safety stuff...so, that's nice.

In the end, i chose the Prius because it has the safety features that i need, such as LED headlamps (for night driving, which i do more often than i want), active safety & cruise control (again, i spend lots of time on my commute), good stereo, and the 50 mpg combined. But, at the time of the Prius purchase, i did not have the MKS Hybrid option...so, if i were to buy a hybrid today, it would be a tough choice b/w MKS Hybrid and Prius. Not sure what is your timeframe nor how big of a car you need, but i would also check out the upcoming Lexus CT200h.

Good luck with your future purchase...you can't go wrong with the MKS!

CT200h: 2011 Lexus CT200h

Yeah same here; but more like 30 decades ago when gas was a $1.25/gallon since I hear the Volvo requires premium. I'm not in the market for a Volvo so that played a role in my decidion as well.

Plus what impression would I be leaving if I took advantage of the situation and got the "premium" rental vs. "economy".

Hey Thai thanks for the thoughtful reply!

I need to correct myself since the Lincoln hybrid is the MKZ not the MKS.

Yeah I always favored the Prius when it came out but honestly I have grown to dislike the futuristic look of the Prius. I had a Prius rental 3 years ago when the Sequoia needed a new transmission and I thought it was the coolest car.

But currently I'm favoring more the MKZ hybrid because I really liked the way the Ford Fusion looked, handled, and build-quality. Also I like the fact that I can be in electric mode up to 50mph in the Lincoln MKZ hybrid unlike the prius which IIRC is closer to 25mph in elcetric mode.

Plus right now all Ford hybrids (including Lincoln) are exactly priced to match the gas versions. So no premium for the Hybrid technology. I don't think any other manufacturer offers such an incentive.

The electric mode to 50 mph is kind of like a dream because you have to be under ideal conditions (fully charged, minimal A/C, touching the gas pedal only, etc.). For me, this is not very practical...and thus, i rely on the normal useage gas mileage...and this is where the Prius is still #1 by a bit...well, until the full electrics or plug-ins come out.

The nice thing about the Prius is that it is proven and readily available on dealer's lot (unless you buy a Prius V). Thus, you can easily get discounts on them...i even got a sizeable discount on my relatively rare Prius V with Advance Tech Pkg. So, regardless of how the pricing structure is, it is what is available on dealer's lot that determines the price.

In addition to the front subframe issue, some have theorize that the Fusion's (and Lincoln hybrid) aggressive use of all-electric mode (to 50 mph and thus fool EPA's rating!) may shorten the battery's lifespan vs. Toyota's conservative battery useage. This is why in real life useage, the Fusion hybrid's fuel economy is no better than the Camry's Hybrid (about 33 mpg combined) despite the glorious EPA rating for the Fusion. (My Prius is the "sportiest" of Prius and it consistently gets 51 mpg city and 48 mpg highway...the lower end Prius gets about 2 mpg better!) Toyota's hybrid battery has been proven beyond doubt that it will easily last past 150,000 miles...and has been averaged around 200,000-300,000 miles among Canadian Taxi drivers! Can Ford claim the same or proven to do such?? Time will tell.

BTW, here is the FF subframe issue: WARNING - Cracking Welds in Subframe - Ford Fusion Forum

Thanks for the info on the subframe crack Thai.

I'm concerned about the current recall on Tundra platform frames prematurely rusting out since I have a Sequoia but so far no recall so it does not surprise me that Ford may have an issue with their subframe welds. Every auto manufacturer from A-Z has had a safety recall one time or another.

Here's Toyota's answer to the problem:

Toyota Launches Tundra Frame Replacement Program | Tundra Headquarters

Also the 3rd generation Prius' have a recall on their ABS system controls:

FAQs on the 2010 Prius Recall | PriusChat

And regarding the battery for the Ford's hybrid system possibly not being reliable since it's in its infancy stage, I just checked and they warranty all Hybrid components for 8 years/100,000 miles. Plus for my peace of mind I would get Ford's extended warranty coverage.

It looks like the cabbie drivers of San Francisco enjoy their Ford Hybrid taxis.

YouTube - Were Using Ford Hybrid Taxis To Improve The Environment

Also NYC currently has Ford Hybrids on the streets.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_yPn...eature=related

That recall for the 2010 Prius is a software issue...you cannot really compare that to subframe cracks!!! Not even in the same ballpark!

BTW, the Ford Fusion Hybrid also (quietly) had a similar software recall...so, the Prius was not the only one that had software recall for the brakes...it was just that the media was so focused on Toyota!

Link: Consumer Reports Cars Blog: Ford issues prompt fix for Fusion Hybrid brakes

Like i said above, the subframe crack(s) issue was a major point for me when i decided on the Prius over the Fusion...by a small margin. The ABS issue is a non-factor because it is a software issue...and the Fusion Hybrid is no different!

Extended warranty past 100k miles?? Is that a factory extended warranty or a 3rd party??

Good...we will see if they can last as long. Here is the original story on Prius Taxi in Canada: http://www.driving.ca/green/story.ht...3-8289842450df

"In addition, he said the vehicle costs only one-third the usual expenses on maintenance over a 24-month period because it has fewer wear-and-tear components. His current Prius recently surpassed 400,000 kilometres with no hybrid component failures."

(For those who don't know [me], 400k km = 248,000+ miles!!)

Since 2005 (i think), SF has had Ford Escape hybrids. The Fusion was just added recently (less than a year?). The Escape hybrid is old hybrid technology...and does not use the 50 mph limit that the Fusion does. The FFH is the first Ford to use hybrid technology equivalent to what Toyota has been using in their hybrid cars. Therefore, Fusion's aggressive battery use is still not proven. (In the video, the person talked about 160,000 miles on the Escape hybrid.)

In contrast, Toyota Prius has been doing Taxi work since 2000.

And although Escape Hybrid still outnumbers the Prius in NY, the Prius is still out there among many other cities as taxis: Toyota Prius: Tough Enough To Be A Taxi. Anywhere. - All About Prius

In another article:
"The Escape Hybrid is popular in San Francisco and New York, but it's hardly the only hybrid taxi contender. In fact, Toyota Prius taxis can be seen domesticlaly in Denver, Chicago, Phoenix, Las Vegas, and San Antonio. Elsewhere, they're happily covering ground in Berlin, Ljubljana, Tokyo, and many other cities in Japan."

It seems I touched a nerve on your Prius Thai.

Like I said before my tastes have changed with regards to the shape of the current prius. Cars are really a matter of personal preference. And currently the only luxury hybrid I will consider with all the contenders is the Lincoln MKZ hybrid. You can have your Prius; it's your choice; enjoy it (you should have kept the G-wagon ;-) ).

I've grown up with Toyotas and Lexus' for the past 3 decades. My family has owned both cars from Toyota both in the USA and abroad. In the 80s we had a Celica Supra, the original Lexus LS400 in 1990, a 1997 T4r Limited, a 1999 Toyota Corona 2.0, a 2002 Sequoia Limited, a 2008 GS 300, and a 2009 Camry Hybrid. The only used car bought was the 4R. So I know they are reliable but at the same time don't last forever, and each has had its share of recalls and problems.

My family agrees that Toyotas and Lexus' just aren't made the same way they were decades ago and that is a proven fact not just with the current problems and recalls that Toyota is facing worldwide today but with my own experience with them the past 30 years.

I will say that while Toyota has been resting on its laurels the domestics have caught up even the Koreans are making a good name for themselves these days.

Actually, i think that you misunderstood me. I like the new Lincoln Hybrid, as well as the FFH. It was my #2 easily. As noted above, if the Lincoln Hybrid was available at the time of my Prius purchase, then i would have given it much thought and may be driving one now. Hell, i even registered on Fusion forums to find out info and buying tips!

I just wanted to point out to you the potential flaw in the FFH (and possibly MKZ) to give you a heads up. Is the subframe cracks still an issue? Do you care? I did. It's up to you. You then pointed out flaws in the Prius ABS software...it was NOT my point to compare the two NOR to put down the FFH. My point is to inform you of such as a potential buyer. Because you pointed out the software ABS issue in the Prius, i also made you aware that the FFH has a similar flaw that was fixed. Nothing more, nothing less.

In addition, Ford aggressive use of the battery is something to consider if you're gonna keep it a long time. FFH is still too young to know...your youtube videos do not apply to FFH nor to the potential issue at hand. I was just stating what some (including MotorTrend btw) who thought that this might affect longevity of the battery pack. I am just informing you so that you can weigh the plus and minus of the Ford/Lincoln in making an educated buying decision. My view is that everything in life is a compromise of sorts...Toyota is not new at this hybrid game...so, the fact that Toyota has not copied Ford's aggressive battery useage does give me pause, even in the upcoming CT200h (and my Prius). So, is Ford going for short term benefit (great EPA rating and wow factor) in exchange for battery longevity? Not a bad strategy since most folks don't keep their cars beyond 100k miles. (In fact, if you read up on what i have said about Lexus HS250 in the past, you will see that i praised Ford for doing this!) So, again, this for you to know and decide.

As for Toyota resting on its laurels, i am in completely agreement and have stated that many times in the past. And trust me, i am no fanboy of Toyota...Koz can tell you that!

G-wagen...well, if i am not gonna off-road much, then why keep it? I buy things to use, not to show off nor place in my living room! I kept my minivan though...to the shock of many on this forum! I do have a keen interest in the 4runner Trail and Jeep Rubicon...so, we will see...i am sure that my "itch" will come back once my children are older....

J.D. Power: Domestic Models Outperform Imports In Vehicle Appeal

It seems the domestics are coming. (It's about time.)

Out of all the domestics, i trust only Ford. GM is still too early...new models are appealing, but quality is still up in the air. My colleague's Caddy CTS 3.6 has a lot of small issues, typical of past domestic issues. Ford has proven itself with their recent models...who can deny their amazing 2011 Mustang GT 5.0?!