Ford has redesigned its midsize Fusion sedan for 2010, and has added a gasoline-hybrid model to the lineup as well.
Prices range from $19,620-$28,030 (plus $725 freight) for the gasoline-only models, while the hybrid version begins at $27,625 – and sports fuel economy better than that of the competing Toyota Camry hybrid.
The new Fusion officially went on sale in March, and was among the best sellers in the government’s recent Cash for Clunkers program.
Although not a complete makeover – the car still rides on the chassis it came with when first introduced for 2006 – the new Fusion got numerous exterior changes and interior upgrades, along with a lot of new technology.
It’s quite a bit more stylish than before, and has a lot more standard content – making it seem more like a luxury car than a mass-market model.
Similar changes were made to the corresponding Mercury Milan model, including the addition of a hybrid version. Base prices of the gasoline-only Milan models range from $21,535-$28,155 (plus $725 freight), while the hybrid starts at $27,855.
The Fusion and Milan hybrids are rated at 41 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway, which beats the Toyota Camry hybrid by 8 mpg in the city and 2 mpg on the highway.
A combination of a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and electric motor powers the hybrids, while gasoline-only Fusion and Milan models offer a choice of a four-cylinder or two V-6 engines.
The best gasoline-only fuel economy comes with the four-cylinder Fusion S, which is EPA rated at 34 mpg on the highway and 23 in the city. That beats both the gasoline-powered Camry and Honda Accord models. Those, with automatic transmissions, are EPA rated at 21 city/30 highway for the Accord and 21/31 for the Camry.
Ford’s only hybrids until now have been the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner compact crossover utility vehicles, which entered their second generation last year.
Hybrid Fusion and Milan models come with a new 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine using the so-called Atkinson cycle design for better fuel economy. It’s assisted by an electric motor, and power is transferred to the wheels by an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission.
The hybrid’s gasoline engine is rated at 155 horsepower and 136 foot-pounds of torque.
It’s the same two-mode hybrid drive system that Ford uses in the Escape and Mariner models, both of which were upgraded significantly for 2009. Ford developed the system on its own, but licensed some of the technology from Toyota because of similarities with Toyota’s hybrids.
Ford said its hybrid team developed a system “that combines the best attributes of the gasoline engine and electric battery-driven motors to deliver the optimal experience for the customer in terms of driving performance and fuel economy.”
The system will allow the Fusion and Milan to operate longer at higher speeds – up to 47 mpg — in pure electric mode, Ford said. The Toyota Prius, for example, automatically shifts to gasoline power at about 25 mph maximum.
With their city EPA ratings, the Fusion and Milan hybrids could go more than 700 miles between re-fueling, Ford said. A smaller, lighter nickel-metal hydride battery has been developed for the hybrids, and can produce 20 percent more power over the previous generation of this battery.
“Because our hybrid can run at a much higher speed in electric mode, you can do so much more in city-driving situations,” said Gil Portalatin, Ford’s hybrid applications manager. “Under the right conditions, you can drive in your neighborhood or mall parking lots without using a drop of gasoline.”
Included on both models is Ford’s “SmartGauge with EcoGuide,” which the automaker explains is a “unique instrument cluster … that helps coach [drivers] on how to optimize performance of their hybrid.”
It displays instant fuel economy, fuel economy history, odometer, engine coolant temperature, what gear the car is in and trip data.
Among special features on the hybrids are unique badges on both sides and the rear of the vehicle; 17-inch, eight-spoke wheels; recycled seat fabric; and a standard 110-volt power outlet.
Fusion gasoline models come in four trim levels – the base S, the SE, the fancier SEL, and the Sport, which comes only with a 3.5-liter, 263-horsepower V-6 engine.
For this report, we tested the regular gasoline Fusion SEL front-wheel-drive model, with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine different from the one in the hybrid. This engine is rated at 175 horsepower and 172 foot-pounds of torque.
Our tester, with the six-speed automatic transmission, had EPA mileage estimates of 22 city/31 highway. A six-speed manual gearbox is offered, but only with the four-cylinder engine and in the S and SE models.
All-wheel drive is available in the Fusion SEL, but only with the optional 3.0-liter V-6 engine, rated at 240 horsepower and 228 foot-pounds of torque.
Our SEL model was quite well equipped for its base $23,975 price, with such standard amenities as leather seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel with integrated cruise and audio controls, dual-zone automatic climate control, eight-way power driver’s seat with lumbar adjustment, the SYNC voice-activated audio system that allows for playback of iPods with simple voice commands, and Sirius satellite radio.
A tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel was standard, along with power windows/mirrors/door locks and that great Ford driver’s door keypad that lets you in with a code if you happen to lock your keys inside.
Other standard features included 17-inch aluminum wheels, automatic headlights, a custom grille, chrome dual exhaust tips, heated outside mirrors, fog lights, and Ford’s new cap-less fuel tank.
The roomy trunk – 16.5 cubic feet – has a pass-through to the passenger compartment for larger cargo, accommodated by the 60/40 split-folding rear bench seat.
Safety features include front seat-mounted side air bags; electronic stability control with traction control, roof-mounted side-curtain air bags for both rows; a tire-pressure monitoring system; four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes; a perimeter alarm; and an SOS post-crash alert system.
The car seats five, although four fit most comfortably. The front bucket seats in our tester weren’t the most comfortable I’ve experienced; the bottom cushion wasn’t long enough to support my thighs sufficiently. But the seats probably would be fine for most adults.
Cup holders are well placed, and there are bottle holders in the front doors – although they’re rather small and not easy to use. Otherwise, the interior was very well laid out, and I really liked the large, easy-to-read instruments with their cool blue lighting.
The test vehicle’s four-cylinder engine and six-speed automatic transmission gave me all the power I needed for my daily commute, which includes city streets, country roads, and a 20-mile Interstate highway segment in between.
One of the V-6 engines might be more fun to have because of the extra zip they offer, but I’d prefer the better fuel economy of the four-cylinder.
Our tested came with some of the new technology, all in a $2,740 package (minus a $945 discount).
It included blind-spot warning lights in both of the outside mirrors, which illuminate an orange dot when there is a vehicle in the adjacent lane on either side. Also in the package were a rearview camera system, power moon roof, and a Sony 12-speaker sound system.
Total price with freight and options was $26,495, but with all the luxury amenities, the car seemed as though it should cost about $10,000 more. It certainly came across as a great value compared with some of its peers.
That should help Ford with its goal of taking some market share from both the Toyota Camry, which is the top-selling car in the United States, and the Honda Accord, a perennial favorite among midsize-sedan buyers.
The automotive columns of G. Chambers Williams III have appeared regularly in the Star-Telegram since 1994. Contact him at 210-250-3236; chambers@star-telegram.com.
The package: Midsize, four-door, five-passenger, four-cylinder, V-6 or hybrid-powered, front- or all-wheel drive family sedan. Highlights: Ford’s midsize sedan has been redesigned for 2010, and a hybrid version has been added to the mix.
Negatives: Starting price is too high for the hybrid model.
Engines: 2.5-liter inline four cylinder; 3.0-liter V-6; 3.5-liter V-6 (gasoline-only models); 2.5-liter four-cylinder and electric motor (hybrid).
Transmissions: Six-speed manual or six-speed automatic (gasoline models); continuously variable (hybrid).
Power/torque: 175 HP./172 foot-pounds (2.5-liter, gasoline); 240 HP./228 foot-pounds (3.0); 263 HP./249 foot-pounds (3.5); 156 HP./136 foot-pounds (2.5, hybrid).
Length: 190.6 inches.
Curb weight: 3,285-3,591 pounds (gasoline models); 3,720 pounds (hybrid).
Brakes, front/rear: Disc/disc, antilock.
Trunk volume: 16.5 cubic feet (gasoline); 11.8 cubic feet (hybrid).
Side air bags: Front seat-mounted, roof-mounted side-curtain for both rows, standard.
Electronic stability control: Standard.
Fuel capacity/type: 17.5 gallons (front-wheel drive); 16.5 gallons (all-wheel drive); 17.0 gallons (hybrid), all unleaded regular.
EPA fuel economy: 22 mpg city/29-31 highway (2.5-liter, manual); 22-23/31-34 (2.5, automatic); 18/27 (3.0/3.5, FWD); 17/24 (3.0/3.5, AWD).
Major competitors: Volkswagen Passat, Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima, Kia Optima, Hyundai Sonata, Chrysler Sebring, Dodge Avenger, Mitsubishi Galant, Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6, Saturn Aura, Mazda6, Mercury Milan, Subaru Legacy.
Base price range: $19,620-$28,030 (gasoline); $27,625 (hybrid), plus $725 freight.
Price as tested: $26,495, including freight and options (SEL, 4-cylinder, front drive).
On the Road rating: 9.1 (of a possible 10).
Prices shown are manufacturer’s suggested retail; actual selling price may vary.
