The Ford Fusion is a mid-size family sedan designed to go head-to-head with cars such as the Chevy Malibu, the Honda Accord, the Nissan Altima, and the Hyundai Elantra. However, the Ford is a bit more classy than all the other sedans mentioned in this paragraph which certainly makes the Fusion seem a lot more interesting. So, is Ford Fusion a good car?
The Ford Fusion is indeed a really good car considering what you get for your money. The engines on offer are decently reliable, decently powerful, and decently efficient. The car’s exterior design is really good-looking, some might even say a bit too much inspired by a prominent British luxury car brand. The interior is nice, but nothing to brag about.
When it comes to the driving experience, the Fusion drives like any other car in its segment. It’s smooth, easy, quiet, and fairly refined. Reliability seems to be okay, but there are some issues worth talking about. Ford discontinued the Fusion, but it seems like the Fusion is making a comeback for the 2023 model year.
Value-wise, it is a really good second-hand market car right now while practicality is also on point with all other cars from this segment.
Ford Fusion – The powerplant
The 2020 (last model year) Ford Fusion engine lineup kicks off with the 2.5L in-line 4-cylinder engine with about 175hp and 175lb-ft of torque. This engine is connected to a 6-speed automatic transmission that sends all of its power to the front wheels. You can pay more to upgrade to the smaller, yet more capable 1.5L turbocharged in-line 4-cylinder with 181hp and 185lb-ft of torque.
The top-of-the-line engine option is the 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder making 245hp and 275lb-ft of torque. This engine configuration also gets an AWD system while the mid-spec 181hp 4-cylinder gets a FWD system. The entry-level Fusion models return about 23/34MPG, the mid-spec version offers 21/31MPG while the top-of-the-line 245hp engine offers 21/31MPG with a RWD system or 20/28 with an AWD system.
You can also get a hybrid version powered by a 2.0L 4-cylinder combined with a hybrid electric powertrain with 188hp and 129lb-ft of torque. MPG numbers are around 42 for the conventional hybrid while the plug-in does 103MPGe.
Ford Fusion – Design and chassis
When it comes to design, the Fusion certainly does it because the exterior design of the Fusion was always nice, especially the latest models. Some say that the Fusion, and Ford in general, borrows much of its design inspiration from Aston Martin. The interior design is ergonomic, but not all that special when it comes to design and material quality.
The suspension and the chassis are both tuned towards comfort and ease of use which makes the Fusion feel really well sorted for all kinds of driving scenarios. It is not a sports car, nor is it trying to be one. It is a family sedan that prioritizes comfort, ease of use, and does everything the way it should be done.
Ford Fusion – Reliability and common issues
When it comes to reliability, we can safely say that the Fusion is a dependable vehicle, but that it also suffers from some particular issues. For starters, the automatic transmission isn’t the most reliable one in the business and it could cost money to fix. The suspension system wears out pretty fast which requires you to invest in new shocks, struts, and potentially even the sway bar.
The engine is decent, but the throttle body isn’t. Also, we need to keep in mind that the power steering system is known to fail, and so can the swollen lug nuts due to an aluminum top cap.
Ford Fusion – Value and practicality
The 2020 Fusion started at about $23,170 for a barebone version but top-of-the-line models went for well above $30,000. Now it can be had for a significant discount on the 2nd hand market and many people are buying 2nd hand Fusions because they are really good cars to consider.
Practicality-wise, the Fusion is as good as any other mid-size family sedan in this lineup. It offers seating for up to four, maybe even five adults. The trunk space is nice, even though the opening is a bit restrictive. Visibility is good, the doors open nice and wide so it’s easy to fit a child seat into the Fusion.
FAQ Section
Should I buy the Ford Fusion?
If you are in the market for a mid-size family sedan that can take care of your family transportation needs without making a big fuss about it, the Fusion is a great choice to make. It is a good-looking yet unassuming car that can even deliver in some luxury car instances. It looks nice on the outside, but a bit boring on the inside.
It is a well-rounded family sedan, and it comes as no surprise that many Americans are buying them. Even though SUVs and crossovers are ruling the charts right now in both new and used markets, mid-size sedans are managing to resist the utility car dominance better than hatchbacks, and other smaller cars.
Did Ford stop making the Fusion?
Ford did indeed stop offering Fusion not too long ago, but it seems like the Fusion is coming back stronger than ever. Ford says that the new Fusion is going to represent a completely new approach to designing a mid-size sedan and that the Fusion is going to be one of the most striking cars in its segment.
It will come in utility forms, including a raised-up estate that can rival the likes of the Audi Quattro All-road lineup. Futurism, safety, design, and technology are the pillars on which the new Fusion is going to be built.
Is the Ford Fusion better than its competitors?
This segment is brimming with lots of options and it is really difficult to pick the winner. We can say that, since the Fusion was technically discontinued, other cars from this segment such as the Accord or the Toyota Camry managed to beat the Fusion. We will have to wait and see how the imminent Fusion is going to compare against these.
