Ford's midsize family sedan remains one of the top choices in a crowded and competitive field. Since its redesign for 2013, the Fusion has solidified its place at or near the peak of the family-sedan class. Its eye-catching sheetmetal—led by an Aston Martin-like grille—was quite distinctive not long ago, but has since been replicated by some other manufacturers.
What's New for 2017
A new all-wheel-drive V6 Sport model has joined the lineup, packing a twin-turbo 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 that delivers 325 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque. A top-end Platinum edition also is new this year. Fusion is the first North American Ford to come with a pedestrian detection system.
Choosing Your Ford Fusion
The Fusion is available in three distinct varieties: a traditional gasoline-fueled model, a gasoline/electric Hybrid, and the Energi plug-in hybrid. The two electrically-driven Fusion sedans are covered in separate articles.
Ford offers a selection of engines, depending on trim level:
- A 175-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder, standard in S and SE trim
- A 245-horsepower 2-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder
- A 1.5-liter EcoBoost that makes 181 horsepower
- And the Sport's 2.7-liter twin-turbo V6, developing 325 horsepower
Each Fusion uses a six-speed automatic transmission with a rotary gearshift dial, and has four-wheel disc brakes. A rearview camera is standard.
Handling is much better than would reasonably be expected from a mainstream midsize sedan. In the new V6 Sport, continuously controlled damping provides real-time suspension tuning, including pothole detection technology.
Five trim levels are offered: S, SE, Titanium, plus new V6 Sport and Platinum:
Sales begin in summer 2016, with the V6 Sport likely to arrive several weeks later. If you don't want or need the tech features available on upscale Fusions, an S or SE model can provide most of the benefits of its fancier siblings. At the other end, fully-optioned Fusions pose a credible challenge to entry-level luxury models. With the Fusion's pricing structure, selecting a trim level and options isn’t a formidable task.