Hybrid cars are becoming all the rage, as gas prices are back on the rise and motorists are looking to save money any way they can. Nevertheless, at the same time a finicky segment of American consumers may not want to sacrifice their roomy sedans to favor smaller, more fuel efficient vehicles. Not to mention decreased performance.

However, two midsized sedans will certainly please such motorists; the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid and the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid. Although both have their pluses and minuses, they should be given worthy attention.

The Ford Fusion is both a fuel efficient car and a strong overall performer on the road. While the regular Fusion 4-cylinder model gets 20 miles per gallon in the city and 29 on the highway, The Fusion Hybrid boasts 41 in the city and 36 on the highway—a huge leap in efficiency. The reason for the better mileage in the city is due to the battery providing virtually all the engine power—the gasoline doesn’t start combusting until you reach around 48 mph, thus the decrease in savings. Still, you will get at least five more miles per gallon on the highway with the hybrid version of the Fusion.

In terms of performance, you’re looking at a 4-cylinder 2.5 liter engine producing 156 horsepower that can go 0-60 mph in about 8 seconds—not bad for a hybrid sedan.

The New York Times sings more praise:

The Ford Fusion Hybrid is also refined and comfortable. Like most of today’s hybrids it combines a gasoline engine with electric motors, but it drives and performs pretty much like a conventional car, without many of the quirks — squishy brakes, abrupt power transitions, odd noises — that hybrid owners take for granted.

But compared with the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid, the Ford Hybrid simply outperforms. The Malibu Hybrid engine is a DOHC 2.4 liter 4-cylinder that puts out 164 horsepower. Although the Malibu is certainly a beautiful car inside and out and has been generously lauded for its performance as well as looks, the difference in saved mileage between the standard and hybrid models is only two miles per gallon for both city and freeway driving. In other words, the Malibu Hybrid gets 26 city and 34 highway. That’s okay, but you have to pay $4000 more than the standard Malibu for those two extra miles earned per gallon. Because of this hefty price tag for what you aren’t really getting—that is, a car which will reward you with huge cash savings at the fuel pump, the Malibu Hybrid has undergone considerable criticism, and consumers have not taken the bait. So the Malibu Hybrid will be put on hold for model year 2010.

Both the Ford Fusion Hybrid and the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid are priced competitively at a base price of $27,995 and $26,275, respectively. But for a price difference of a little over $1700 you’ll be saving far more on gasoline in the short run with the former. While the Ford Fusion Hybrid should be available now, don’t expect the Malibu Hybrid to be on dealership lots for much longer.

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