Ford Fusion Overview
The Fusion is a midsize sedan made by Ford for various world markets. The North American version of the Fusion is a unique design specifically for this market. The Fusion entered sales for the 2006 model year and has a premium twin in the Mercury Milan and a luxury twin in the Lincoln MKZ. The first-generation Fusion entered the market with the "new face of Ford" in 2006, showcasing the company's new design for its sedans. A four- and six-cylinder engine option were available, both mated to five-speed or six-speed transmissions. All-wheel drive became available in the Fusion in 2007. In 2010, a hybrid model of the Fusion was introduced. The 2013 model year saw the second and current generation of the Ford Fusion enter the market. This more global model utilized Ford's new design language for its cars, with exterior design being headed by a Ford Europe lead. Under that design, several engine options were introduced, all in the EcoBoost and Duratec families. Automatic transmissions and continuously variable transmissions were also made standard. The Hybrid model continued and a plug-in hybrid ("Energi") model was introduced. The 2017 model year saw the Platinum premium-level trim added to the Fusion. This trim is replacing what the former Mercury brand offered in the gap between standard and luxury models. The most common complaint in the Ford Fusion is for power steering failure in 2010-2012 models at mid-level and high mileage (50,000-150,000).
Test Drive Reviews
2018 Ford Fusion
The Ford Fusion remains one of the most stylish sedans in the midsize category, despite not being one of the more recent designs offered. Most of the Fusion's competition has been busy rolling out new generations of their design and build. The good news for Ford is that they're mostly playing catch-up to the excellent Fusion, which remains one of the best in its competitive midsize sedan class.
The current generation of the Ford Fusion was introduced in 2013 with smart styling reminiscent of Aston Martin, a company that Ford briefly owned before. The 2018 Ford Fusion largely carries over with the significant refresh made for 2017. Those changes included a new interior design with better ergonomics and improved infotainment. What remains are the eye-catching looks of the Fusion in this generation, as well as its roomy and comfortable interior.
A host of engine choices and several trim levels and package options make the Fusion one of the most configurable cars in its segment. The 2018 Fusion continues to show that smart looks and practicality can be had in one package in the midsize sedan segment.
See the full 2018 Ford Fusion Test Drive Review.
2017 Ford Fusion
There's no question that the Ford Fusion is one of the best-looking cars in its segment. Ford learned a lot from its brief ownership of Aston Martin and put that to good use in its design department. The current generation of the Fusion was introduced in 2013, with head-turning gasps.
For the 2017 model year, Ford put the Fusion through significant revision, mostly to the interior. The 2017 Fusion retains the attractive items that have kept the car a hot seller, including multiple engine choices, great looks and a roomy interior.
Updates to the 2017 Ford Fusion include a new infotainment system, utilizing Ford's new Sync 3 system; a host of changes to the center console and bins; and additional optional features such as semi-automated parking and LED headlamps.
The 2017 Fusion is a very well-done midsize sedan that offers something for everyone. It proves that good looks can come with smarts and practicality too.
See the full 2017 Ford Fusion Test Drive Review.
2015 Ford Fusion
We thought that we pretty much had the family sedan segment all figured out when our test 2015 Ford Fusion 2.0 liter EcoBoost sedan rolled into our life for a week of tough testing traveling over 1,000 miles all around Southern California's pothole lined freeways. We had driven all of the Fusion's natural rivals and frankly were not expecting it to perform as amazingly as it did and for it to show itself to be class leading in so many key areas. It forced us to completely rethink "what makes a great family sedan?"
Well, if a wide array of choice is one thing you want from a family sedan then the 2015 Ford Fusion can provide that for you and then some. Not only does it come with our 2.0 liter 240 horsepower/231 lb. feet of torque turbocharged EcoBoost 4-cylinder but there is also a smaller 1.5 liter Ecoboost motor good for 181 horsepower/185 lb. feet of torque and an entry level 2.5 liter 175 horsepower/175 lb. feet of torque Duratec engine. But wait, there's more! Ford also sells not only a hybrid version of the Fusion with 188 horsepower/121 lb. feet of torque combined but also a plug-in hybrid as well called the Energi which offers up to 195 horsepower combined and can travel up to 19 miles in electric mode up to speeds of 85 miles per hour. Impressed?
While it is quite obvious that Ford left no stone unturned when it came to building a Fusion that could appeal to everyone, does it succeed on that count or is it the proverbial jack of all trades and master of none. Thankfully no, and while we haven't driven every powertrain combination available with the Fusion we did spend the day with both the Hybrid and Energi Fusion models and found they both felt a whole lot like driving any normal car albeit the hybrid did make us feel like the car had a tiny turbo attached, so difficult did we find it to detect any electric motor whine. But as with any electric motor, the car gets a nice boost when accelerating from a stop. The Energi was just very, very quiet and when the gas motor turned on we hardly noticed.
But given that the Fusion sells most of its volume to consumers buying the gas engine variants we will stick to talking about the 2.0 liter EcoBoost model we drove for an entire week. Not only did it have enough accelerative potency to put it up there with personal family sedan favorites like the 2015 Kia Optima Turbo, 2015 Honda Accord V6 and the admittedly slow selling (but not slow) Volkswagen Passat VR6 but it also simply glided over bad Los Angeles freeway pavement as if it was a 30 foot long stretch limo with an air suspension. Not sure how Ford managed to do that and still make it handle so entertainingly is a mystery for the ages.
But if you want to know the rest of our in depth impressions of the 2015 Ford Fusion sedan then keep on reading. This might just be the perfect family sedan for you and that army of mooches (kids, dogs, spouse) who make you always drive them around.
See the full 2015 Ford Fusion Test Drive Review.
2013 Ford Fusion
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.
See the full 2013 Ford Fusion Test Drive Review.
