The 2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid is a close cousin to the Ford Fusion.  Let’s be frank –sandwiched between the axles is an uncanny level of sameness, except for that distinctive Mercury bar grille on the front of the car to help it fit in better with its brothers in the Mercury line. Fortunately, this car has more than a little cosmetic surgery going for it.

The basic shape of the Milan hasn’t changed, but is that really so bad?  Americans have largely forsaken the coupe style cars in the last 20 years, and Ford has responded with the decision to make several cars available in the four door sedan models only.

In the front, the new Milan is more rounded, with a stand out area around the grille.  For all of this, it still flows well into the hood.  The headlights are a bit taller and narrower than in the 2009 model, and the rear is about the same as it was last year, although there are some minor changes.

Overall, the profile of the Mercury Milan hybrid is handsome and sharp.  There’s a overall sporty effect from the low roof profile that many buyers will find appealing.  This can be a bit of a headache for those in the over six foot club, but the legroom – both front and back – is substantial enough to make up for the lack in height.

The cockpit of the Milan is well planned and tight, like its first cousin, the Fusion.  In fact the interior is a lot like the Fusion, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.  After all, if something’s working, why change it?

But then, who’s buying a hybrid for luxury and comfort?  What we really want is better fuel efficiency.  Testing in southern CA – even with the stop and go traffic that LA is famous for – the Milan gave 43 miles to the gallon.  Of course, on the west coast, you won’t need to use the heater, window defoggers, wipers or any of the auxiliary systems that drivers in other climatic regions.

For example, what happens when the conditions get to ten degrees or lower?  You know – when the windows are frosted and your breath alone is enough to fog up the glass.  Well, it’s true that the electric parts won’t kick in until the car is warm.  But once the car is warm, it stills gives an impressive 29 mph.  While that’s certainly not the best for a hybrid, it’s a respectable output for even the coldest of winters.

This makes Ford’s hybrid more than just a good effort.  It has a smooth operation – better than many of the hybrids on the market today.  Even an experienced hybrid driver will have trouble detecting the switch from a running engine to the electric mode.  When you’re cruising, there’s very little wind noise, and the road noise is just as quiet, leading to a quiet, enjoyable driving experience.

So, what’s wrong with this car?  Well the price is a bit much, coming in at $27,500 – about $1000 more than a Camry.  Since Ford has crossed the 60,000 hybrid sales mark, the federal tax credit is winding down.  But if you buy between now and October 1, 2009, you can still get $1200 back on your purchase.  After, you’ll receive only $850, and the credit will be totally gone by April 2010. But remember that the credit for other hybrids is already gone, so the Mercury Milan hybrid may be your last chance to take advantage of these savings.