Ford Fusion
Sandi Pedersen, Car Data Co.
The Fusion fits nicely in the Ford lineup between the compact Focus and the larger Taurus sedan.Its sleek lines and distinctive three-bar horizontal grille catches your eye and has become Ford’ssignature mark.
I found the overall appearance of this car particularly pleasing. While the chrome contrastsnicely with the body work the high trunk line and chrome trim tail light clusters give it anoverall classy look.
The model I drove, the SEL, came well equipped. Standard features included Sirius satelliteradio, AM/FM 6CD/MP3, fold flat passenger seat and a feature I’ve really come to love, theMicrosoft Sync voice activated system. This allows you to sync your bluetooth-enabled cell phone,access their phonebooks, and play calls and read text through the speakers. Along with thisstandard equipment came optional automatic headlights, automatic temperature controls, leatherinterior, heated outside mirrors and keyless entry. Add all these features together and it makesthis sedan a force to be reckoned with.
The Ford Fusion provides not only solid high-speed stability but responsive handling and a nice,smooth ride. I was able to take it on a road trip and even though I found the seats slightly softthey still provided a supportive ride. I also was able to achieve maximum comfort with the standardtilt and telescoping steering wheel and six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, great for someonewith shorter legs. The Fusion seats five, the rear-seat passengers have a decent amount of leg roomand you do not get a cramped feeling. Add to this the estimated 18 city miles per gallon and 26highway miles per gallon, for the 3.0L 4V V6 Duratec engine.
Space was also a plus with a good size flat floored trunk. Loading groceries and luggage was aneasy task and all Fusion models include a 60/40 split rear seatback which allows a generous amountof pass-through space.
Ford’s affordable mid-sized sedan, starting in the low $18,000 range, handles better than mostin its class and is fun to drive. The four-wheel independent suspension and precise rack-and-pinionsteering makes it especially enjoyable to drive on twisty roads. Also take into consideration, theupdated styling, which sets it apart from many similar generic looking mid-sized cars, theaffordable pricing which includes a generous amount of standard equipment and the available options. All this makes for a ‘perfect fit’ for buyers looking for value.
I have come to the realization that when I get into a vehicle for the first time, I immediatelylook at the cup holder options. Call me shallow or just an avid coffee drinker, who is seldomwithout a cup, but I found in talking to other people, women in particular, that this is a veryimportant aspect of how we feel about the vehicle.
On a scale of 1-10
Cup holders ‘ 7′
Not only were there several convenient cup holders, buy they were lighted so you could easilymaneuver your drink in the dark.
Ford Fusion
Casey Williams, www.car-data.com
Ford did a very smart thing several years ago when it based its mid-size sedans on the dynamicMazda6 architecture. From my first drive, it was obvious engineers had taken the best traits of the’6 and combined them with a roomier cabin and upscale trim that made the Fusion (and similarMercury Milan, Lincoln MKZ) excellent alternatives to cars like the Honda Accord, Chevy Malibu, andNissan Altima. Considering the re-style and re-engineering that are coming for 2010, Ford is poisedfor greater success.
Ford is quite good at contributing relatively minor investments to improve models beyond theirmeans. Much of the new Fusion’s exterior is carry-over, but the bold chrome grille and power domehood look like they could just as easily come from the 2009 F-150 as a mid-size family car. It doeslook very good, however. Interior trim is also refined and upgraded.
New for 2010 is a hybrid version ‘ the first gas/electric passenger car for the Blue Oval team.Ford expects the Fusion Hybrid to rate at least 5-MPG better on the highway than the Toyota Camryhybrid, or about 40 MPG. Running with an improved version of the Escape Hybrid’s system, the Fusionhybrid can operate up to 47 mph on pure electricity and allow up to a 700-mile range on citystreets.
A new dashboard features a center speedometer with configurable LCD displays on each side tocoach drivers on the best ways to conserve fuel and to get vital information about the car’sperformance. Said Derrick Kuzak, Ford V.P. for Global Product Development, ‘With the new FordFusion and Mercury Milan hybrids, we are now able to offer even better range of travel on batterypower at a greater speed, thanks to a more efficient, seamless transition between thebattery-powered motor and gasoline-driven engine. These new hybrids will exceed expectations on allfronts ‘ fuel efficiency, comfort, convenience and overall drivability.’
Ford is genius at evolving vehicles over long periods of time while keeping them current andrelevant. Now available with an enhanced hybrid system and cool styling, it is going to be toughcompetition for the Saturn Aura, Toyota Camry, Chevy Malibu, and Nissan Altima hybrids.
