If you could buy a comfortable midsize sedan that cost $5,000 and could get up to 40 mpg on average, would you buy it? Probably, especially with today’s gas prices. Now, keep in mind that this car isn’t going to be new, in fact, it’s over 10 years old. But depending on how you want to look at it, you might think of it as a fuel-sipping hidden gem. The car in question is a 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid.

Why would anyone want a 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid?

Yes, I sound crazy for recommending a 12-year-old Ford Fusion as a daily driver but hear me out. If you’re in need of a comfortable sedan that has plenty of room for five, a comfortable interior, and a fuel-efficient engine, then this old-school Fusion could be for you. The 2010 model year was the first year that the Fusion Hybrid was available, so keep in mind that if you shop for one, it could have a lot of ticks on the odometer.

Fortunately, the 2010 Fusion Hybrid received a rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars on Edmund’s Consumer Reviews page. If you read through the comments, you’ll notice that many owners have given this car high marks with comments like “best car I have ever owned!” and “158,000 miles and still going strong!” Some of them even say that it’s better than the Toyota Prius of the era.

Speaking of the Prius, the Fusion Hybrid didn’t get that same type of mileage as that fuel champion. However, it was still able to achieve up to 41 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway according to the EPA. That’s not bad considering it was born in an era where 40 mpg was the gold standard and mileage masters like the Prius were hard to keep up with. Of course, times now have changed.

What does the 2010 Fusion Hybrid have to offer?

The first-generation Ford Fusion Hybrid has plenty to offer, as long as you’re not looking for the fancy tech that’s available in today’s new cars. Under the hood is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that’s paired to an electric motor for a combined power output of 191 hp. That may not sound like much, but it can get the car up to freeway speeds from a standstill in about 8.7 seconds, according to Edmunds. What’s even cooler is that the car can be driven on its electric motor only at speeds up to 47 mph.

On the inside, the Fusion Hybrid came standard with dual-zone auto climate control, steering-wheel audio controls, a six-speaker audio system with an aux jack (hello 2010!), and Ford’s voice-activated SYNC system. As for safety, the Fusion most notably came with anti-lock brakes, rear parking sensors, and six airbags.

You won’t find any adaptive cruise control or lane-keep assist on this car. But if you’re lucky, you might find one with the Driver’s package that includes a rearview camera, rear-cross traffic alert, and blind-spot monitors.

How much does a 2010 Fusion Hybrid cost?

A nationwide search on CarGurus reveals that you can currently find a 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid for anywhere from $5,000 to $12,000 depending on the car’s location and condition. That’s a pretty good deal for what you get in terms of driving comfort and fuel economy. Yes, I may sound crazy by recommending this car, but if you’re on a super-tight budget, it could be the hidden gem that you’re looking for.