This paper deals with the stability and the robust stability of fuzzy models using a class of nonquadratic Lyapunov functions. New sufficient stability conditions are given for continuous-time fuzzy models. The stability conditions are proved to be less conservative than the quadratic case and compared to another classes of nonquadratic Lyapunov functions. The derived conditions are solved using linear matrix inequalities (LMI) and the S-procedure. Examples are given to illustrate the proposed results.