The Ford Fusion as Ford’s premier mid-size sedan is evolving quite nicely. Built at Ford’s stamping and assembly plant in Hermosillo, Mexico, the Fusion is Ford’s Americas (north and south) model, while it also offers a verison of the Fusion in Europe for that market. Making its first appearance in showrooms in 2006, it’s been a steadily-improving success since then.
It is also in Hermosillo’s plant that the Fusion’s sisters (Mercury Milan and Lincoln MKZ) are assembled, though the Fusion itself is the most popular of the three in the lineup. Making use of the CD3 platform, which is also shared by Mazda’s 6 sedan, the Ford was designed to replace the Mondeo in Europe and Latin America, except for Argentina — where the Mondeo is still being sold.
What many may not know is that the now-ubiquitous ‘three-bar grille’ design seen on almost every Ford first began with the Fusion’s introduction in late 2005. The car sits in between Ford’s smaller compact Focus and the full-size (and completely redesigned) Taurus. Ford must have done something right, as the model has been a hit since its rollout.
The Fusion was introduced in three trim levels; S, SE and full-on SEL — that had all the bells and whistles. There are two engines offered, with the standard being an inline four-cylinder that puts out 160 horsepower, which is very nice, and a V6 powerplant that initially delivered 221 horses. The V6 can be had with the SE and SEL. A 5 speed manual or automatic transmission is available in S and SE models, while a 6 speed automatic comes with the SEL.
Over the last few years, Ford hasn’t rested on its laurels, continuing to evolve the Fusion. The company added all-wheel drive to the Fusion’s V6 trim packages in 2007, which is a much-appreciated feature in snowier climates. Even the Fusion S has features normally found only in higher-line vehicles.
Front-seat side airbags and side curtain airbags are now standard items on all models in the lineup, in addition to a new anti-theft perimeter alarm system. Both had been extra-cost options prior to the 2007 model year. Continuing to add to the luxury and convenience aura of the car, a DVD-based navigation system and a nice satellite radio package were added as options.
Tire pressure monitoring and anti-lock brakes became standard equipment in 2008 to reflect consumer desires for even more safety features. The very popular Microsoft-designed SYNC system was also added to the Fusion’s already popular equipment list.
Perhaps the most exciting element to the Fusion is that of its redesign for 2010, which is now hitting showrooms and roads today. Bigger, roomier and more powerful across the line, it is also being offered up as a very fuel efficient gas-electric hybrid that delivers an EPA-rated 41 miles per gallon in the city, which is quite impressive. Horsepower is also impressive, at 155 ponies.
Of the three domestic automakers, Ford alone managed to avoid the stigma of bankruptcy which hit the other two. The Fusion is testament to its ability to improve itself and create models that are an order of magnitude better than its offerings from just several short years ago. It manages to deliver both style and comfort along with real value in a market segment that was formally the domain of certain Japanese car makers.