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2013 Ford Fusion

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2013 Ford Fusion

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Overview

The Ford Fusion performs exceptionally well when compared to similar cars, especially within the American market. It is ranked first out of two on the Best American Midsize Cars list, indicating its superiority in this category. In terms of comfort, it also holds a strong position, coming in 4th out of 13 on the Most Comfortable Midsize Cars list. This suggests that it provides a high level of comfort relative to other midsize cars. Furthermore, it ranks 5th out of 13 on the Best Midsize Cars list, demonstrating its overall solid performance and quality in comparison to a broader range of vehicles. Overall, the Ford Fusion is a top contender in its class.

Overview

The 2013 Ford Fusion is completely redesigned this year and is the first sedan available in gasoline, hybrid and plug-in hybrid models. Along with new styling inside and out, the new five-passenger Ford Fusion boasts better road manners, better packaging, more standard equipment, and better fuel-efficiency than other midsize family sedans.

What Experts Think

The midsize family sedan is arguably the hottest and most competitive segment in new cars. As such, it has to deliver a lot to entice and keep consumers. With so many players and competition getting stiffer with each all-new or significantly redesigned model, the automotive reviewing press is all over the good, the bad and the ugly of every make and model in the marketplace.

With the 2013 Ford Fusion, there's more to like than not, in the opinion of the auto critics. Here is a sampling of what the experts think of the midsize family sedan.

The editors at Edmunds take a balanced view of the Fusion, and, overall, they find that its "newfound combination of good looks, competitive fuel economy and features have placed it right in the mix of the top midsize sedans for 2013." While noting that there are many other models to choose from in this competitive midsize segment, Edmunds says that "shoppers looking for a family sedan that provides a sharp driving experience, luxury car options and head-turning looks will make an excellent choice in the 2013 Ford Fusion."

Over at Kelley Blue Book, editors laud these qualities of the midsize Fusion: "value-oriented, engaging to drive," and "boasts the highest fuel economy in its class," concluding that, for anyone seeking these in a family sedan, "there is probably a version of the 2013 Fusion that fits your requirements."

Consumer Guide editors are impressed with the different optional powertrains. "Especially impressive are the refined EcoBoost engines and the car's very comfortable ride. The smoothly integrated hybrid system is a positive, too."

"The Fusion is a delight to drive and is quite stylish. All versions have a solid, upscale feel, with a supple ride, agile handling, and sharp steering." (Consumer Reports)

Car and Driver sums it all up with this: "All-new for 2013, the Fusion wraps more technology in a sleeker package."

Meanwhile, Autoblog remarks that Ford "has completely side-stepped the pack with a five-passenger sedan that is both really exciting to look at and genuinely fun to drive." In addition, Autoblog comments that the all-new2013 Fusion "possesses authentic European dynamics, class-leading technological innovation and mold-breaking stylish flair."

"When you combine the beautiful appearance, smart interior and engaging driving experience with the fuel-efficiency and practicality Ford's achieved, the [2013] Fusion stands tall as the best car in class." (Jalopnik)

What Owners Say

With a midsize family sedan, especially one that's been highly popular with consumers and is completely redesigned, you would expect owner opinions to be wildly for or against the latest offering. In fact, that's exactly where consumers net out, but leaning more heavily in favor of the new model than against it.

Commenting on automotive sites such as Edmunds, Kelley Blue Book, Yahoo Autos, MSN Autos, AOL Autos and others, owners have quite a bit to say about the 2013 Ford Fusion.

Owners are of two minds when it comes to the Titanium Fusion with 2.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost engine. On one hand, they like the styling, handling, acceleration and interior appointments. On the other hand, they find the gas mileage "horrible," some wrote that pieces started falling off, SYNC wasn't ready for prime time, and lamented the 13-gallon gas tank.

Fusion SE owners are generally pleased with their vehicle, impressed with the styling, comfort, handling, braking, price and value for the money. But they do take issue at times with headrests, ignition switch in a bad position, hate the new ignition key, should come with push-button start and too low to get in and out of.

Model/Trim Lineup

More than a few auto critics comment that, no matter what your needs are for a midsize family sedan, there's probably a version of the 2013 Ford Fusion that will fill the bill. How's that? The all-new Ford Fusion is available in S, SE, SE Hybrid, Titanium, and Ford Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid models.

The Fusion S is the base trim and comes standard with the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, keyless entry, integrated blind spot mirror, cruise control, manual climate control, a tilt/telescoping steering wheel, a four-speaker AM/FM/CD player with auxiliary input and iPod integration, 16-inch steel wheels, Ford's SYNC communication system with voice control, full power accessories, air conditioning, automatic headlights, a trip computer, and 60/40-split-folding rear seats.

The next trim up, the SE, swaps out the 16-inch wheels for 17-inch alloy wheels, and adds an eight-way power driver's seat with power lumbar, exterior keypad entry, heated mirrors, rear air ducts, rear fold-down armrest, an enhanced audio interface and satellite radio.

Four optional packages are available for the SE. The Appearance package includes 18-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, a rear spoiler, leather-wrapped steering wheel and special cloth upholstery. In the Luxury package, the features include heated power front seats (10-way driver, four-way passenger), leather upholstery, seat memory settings and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. The Technology package includes an upgraded version of SYNC, two USB ports, an SD card reader, RCA video input jacks, a rearview camera, dual-zone automatic climate control, and the MyFord Touch electronics interface (with eight-inch central LCD touchscreen and two four-inch configurable gauge cluster displays).

Moving up to the Fusion Titanium model, the standard equipment list includes the powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, a sport-tuned suspension, keyless ignition/entry, auto-dimming side mirrors, 12-speaker Sony premium audio system with HD and satellite radio, sport front seats, leather seating, 18-inch wheels, rear parking sensors and a rearview camera. In addition, the Titanium includes all the features of the SE's Luxury and Technology packages.

The SE and Titanium models can be optioned with the Luxury Driver Assist package. This includes blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning and lane assist, automatic high-beam control, and a 110-volt power outlet. The Titanium has standard remote ignition, which is optional on the SE.

Other options on SE and Titanium include a sunroof, a navigation system, an automatic parallel parking system and adaptive cruise control with collision warning. Rear parking sensors are optional on SE. And the Titanium can be outfitted with 19-inch wheels.

The Ford Fusion Hybrid is available in SE and Titanium trims. These are equipped similar to their gasoline counterparts. In fact, many reviewers note that you have to look closely to tell the hybrid from the regular Fusions.

The Fusion Energi is an extended-range plug-in hybrid that is available in two trim levels: SE Luxury and Titanium. The SE Luxury has 17-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, heated mirrors, automatic headlights, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, leather seats, heated front seats, driver memory settings, power front seats (eight-way driver with lumbar and four-way passenger), keypad entry, cruise control, tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a trip computer, a 110-volt household power outlet, Ford's SYNC system, dual-zone air conditioning, MyFord Touch, six-speaker sound system with CD player, satellite radio, auxiliary audio jack and iPod/USB interface.

The Titanium trim on Fusion Energi is similar to the gasoline version (minus the sport suspension and turbocharged engine). Options for SE Luxury and Titanium on the Fusion Energi are similar to their gasoline counterparts.

Performance

Noted by nearly every auto critic is the fact that the new Ford Fusion is the first sedan offering gasoline, hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains. Missing this year is the V-6 engine, which Ford has discontinued from the lineup.

The base engine is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 175 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. This is likely to be the most-ordered of the Fusion's engines, say the motoring press.

Where reviewers start to sit up and take notice is in the two new turbocharged EcoBoost engines that Ford placed in the 2013 Fusion. The first is a 1.6-liter turbo that produces 178 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque and can be outfitted with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission. There is also an optional start-stop system that can be ordered with the 1.6-liter turbo, but many critics say this takes some getting used to and can also decrease the efficiency of the climate control system at idle.

The second new turbocharged engine this year is a 2.0-Liter EcoBoost turbo that delivers 240 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque paired with a SelectShift automatic. In fact, it is this engine that the automotive press is most enamored of. They comment that it delivers a European-flavored driving experience and handling that is noticeably improved from the previous model.

Under the hood of the Fusion Hybrid is an Atkinson-cycle 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 141 horsepower and 129 pound-feet of torque paired with a 118-horsepower AC electric motor. A 35 kW, 1.4kWh air-cooled lithium-ion battery provides electricity. Together, the electric motor and internal combustion engine deliver a maximum of 188 horsepower.  Power is delivered to the front wheels via a continuously variable transmission (CVT). EPA-estimated fuel economy is 47 mpg city/47 mpg highway/47 mpg combined, although more than a few automotive reviewers said they found it hard to duplicate those numbers, getting closer to 37 mpg "under normal use."

The Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid uses the same 2.0-liter in-line four-cylinder engine and permanent magnet AC synchronous motor as the Fusion Hybrid, but here it makes 195 horsepower total (with full battery charge). EPA city/highway fuel economy is 108/92 mpg equivalent. Here is where a number of the motoring press say the higher cost of the plug-in hybrid over the "already very frugal" Fusion Hybrid may not be worth what you get.

Interior

The inside of the cabin is where Ford's use of higher-quality materials and clean and uncluttered dashboard and center stack design pays off.  Some critics note that this design can appear stark, especially in all-black interiors.

While Ford amped up the styling of the Fusion cabin for 2013, many reviewers find it a bit narrow. This is despite the fact that the interior actually gained a bit of spaced compared to the outgoing model. While it is considered a five-passenger car, four adults can sit comfortably in the car, or three kids in the back seats.

Still, there's ample leg room throughout the vehicle, especially in the front. As for headroom, it's fine in the front and comparable to the competition for normal-size adults in the rear.

The driver and passenger seats are highly adjustable and supportive, and the 60/40-split-folding rear seats are also quite supportive and well-contoured.

The MyFord Touch system is new to the Fusion for 2013. Reviewers are mixed on this, with some remarking that it requires a learning curve and others saying it is smart technology and the system has nice customization possibilities.

The trunk of the Fusion suffered a bit for the interior roominess, coming in at 16 cubic feet for the redesigned model. In the Fusion Hybrid, that trunk space is eaten up even further to make room for the under-floor batteries.

Safety & Reliability

Nowhere is safety considered more important than in the high-volume category of the family sedan. With the 2013 Ford Fusion, note nearly all auto critics, Ford has hit the ball out of the park in terms of safety.

Standard safety equipment includes antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, front seat side airbags, front knee airbags and side curtain airbags. Optional safety equipment includes blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, driver drowsiness detection and lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist and collision warning with brake intervention.

Every 2013 Ford Fusion has earned an overall five-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). That's the top award that NHTSA can bestow. It is determined after severe testing procedures as part of the NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Crash tests combine scores from frontal, side-impact and rollover crash tests.

Within that five-star overall rating, the Fusion Energi scored five stars in frontal, five stars in side-impact, and four stars in rollover crash tests. This compares with five, four and four, respectively, for the gasoline and hybrid versions of the Fusion.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the regular Ford Fusion its highest rating of "Good" in frontal-offset, side and roof strength tests and awarded it with a Top Safety Pick designation. The Fusion Energi just recently received Top Safety Pick+ designation.

The 2013 Ford Fusion has a four-and-one-half Power Circle score in the J.D. Power Predicted Reliability rating. This means the Ford Fusion is between Better than Most and Among the Best in terms of reliability.

 

2013 Ford Fusion Trims

Trim Engine Drive Train MSRP
AWD Titanium 4dr Sedan 4 Cylinder AWD 32200
S 4dr Sedan 4 Cylinder FWD 21900
SE 4dr Sedan 4 Cylinder FWD 23830
Titanium 4dr Sedan 4 Cylinder FWD 30200

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