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The Ford Fusion is aptly named, and not for the reasons you’d think. While this midsize sedan fittingly blends a variety of power plant options, including 4- and 6-cylinder Duratec gasoline engines, a flex-fuel V6, and an extra-efficient Atkinson-cycle inline-4/electric hybrid, to serve up the most fuel-efficient sedan in its class. It’s the Fusion’s appeal across a varied demographic...


The Ford Fusion is aptly named, and not for the reasons you’d think.

While this midsize sedan fittingly blends a variety of power plant options, including 4- and 6-cylinder Duratec gasoline engines, a flex-fuel V6, and an extra-efficient Atkinson-cycle inline-4/electric hybrid, to serve up the most fuel-efficient sedan in its class. It’s the Fusion’s appeal across a varied demographic that makes its moniker such an appropriate choice.

Heralded as what the new Ford has in store for us, the Fusion combines European-style responsiveness and Japanese-style reliability with American-style audacity to create a sedan that is fun to drive, fuel-efficient, responsive, reliable and safe. What else can anyone ask for?

Consumer Reports, the non-profit independent consumer watch group, has given the Fusion top grades with a reliability forecast expected to be “much better than average.” In the 2009 Consumer Reports annual reliability survey, the Fusion out-ranked both the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. Take a minute with that one.

Ford’s focus on creating fewer but better models seems to be paying off. With a range in starting prices from  $19,620 for the traditional inline 4-cylinder gasoline engine to $27,625 for the gasoline/electric hybrid engine, the Fusion offers reliability and drivability for a reasonable price.

And while there may be cheaper hybrids out there, will they provide the same combination of fit and finish, tight handling and optional equipment? The Fusion comes in seven different engine/package configurations: I4 S, I4 SE, V6 SE, I4 SEL, V6 SEL, Sport and Hybrid. John Kreeger, at Banner Ford in Mandeville, said the typical Fusion driver varies based on the Fusion model. The Sport model, with its 3.5-litter V6, appeals to a younger crowd, while the Baby Boomers seem to be a little more concerned with fuel efficiency and more inclined toward the hybrid Fusion.

The 2010 V6 SEL Fusion I drove had supremely reactive steering, lively acceleration, a tight suspension and extremely supportive leather seats with racing-style side bolsters, which all added up to a brisk drive.

The list of standard equipment on this trim level included 8-way power driver’s seat with lumbar support, heated front seats, dual climate controls, 6-disc in-dash CD player with MP3 jack and satellite radio, Sync voice-activated Bluetooth and media system, traction control, leather wrapped steering wheel, 60/40-split rear seat, one-touch up and down driver’s window, keyless entry pad, fog lamps, dual chromed exhaust tips, tilt/telescoping steering wheel and more.

Some thoughtful touches include the Easy Fuel capless access to the gas tank (no gas cap to lose, no getting gasoline on your hands), the perimeter lighting from the heated side-view mirrors when entering and exiting the vehicle, the auto headlights, and the spring-assist on the split rear seats.

This last item seems so simple, but can make life so much easier. When placing long items in the trunk that won’t normally fit, simply pull the seat leaver in the trunk and the smaller side of the split seats automatically folds over. No walking around the vehicle, taking out the keys again to open the rear door or fighting with the back seat to get it to fold. Presto-change-o, the Carnival ladder is in.

One other bit of standard equipment that seems silly to mention, but I can’t really pretend I didn’t find fun – the multi-hued ambient lighting. The Fusion’s front cup holders, front passenger footwell and rear passengers’ footwells all have ambient lighting. And while that’s pre

Tags: Ford

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Ford Fusion: Aptly named was originally published by New Orleans Auto Reviews: Ford. Read the full story by clicking here.