![]() A six-speed automatic is available with the four-cylinder and standard with the V-6. My test car was equipped with a six-speed manual transmission that replaces the five-speed manual in the previous model. I’ve tested those engines in other Ford products, and they’ve proved competent but not overly memorable from a performance standpoint. All-wheel drive will also be an option with both V-6 power plants. Mileage numbers have not yet been released for the V-6 engines. The Fusion SE and SEL feature a 240-hp, 3.0-liter V-6, and the Fusion Sport has a 263-hp, 3.5-liter V-6. The 34 mpg highway rating is the highest in the segment, besting the Toyota Camry, Chevy Malibu and Honda Accord. On a drive from Detroit to Chicago in these conditions, I averaged 29 mpg. Unfortunately, most of my testing was done in temperatures well below 20 degrees and at mostly 70 mph. The 175-hp engine is a 15-hp improvement over the outgoing entry-level Fusion, but mileage has increased as well it’s now rated at 23/34 mpg city/highway. Cruising at 70 mph is a breeze, and the engine never seems to struggle. The four-cylinder accelerates robustly during passing maneuvers on the highway, and it’s the same when merging on highway ramps. It doesn’t feel like there’s a V-6 under the hood, but neither is there any desire for a V-6. That power translates to a real-world driving experience that is surprisingly sporty. The 2.5-liter produces 175 horsepower, which makes it one of the most powerful fours on the market. Undeniably the most impressive aspect of the 2010 Fusion in the week I spent with it was its new four-cylinder engine. Substantial knobs are used to control the volume, tuning, air-conditioning temperature and vent speed. The display has been raised to the top of the stack to keep your eyes closer to the road. The center stack of controls is the other major change. It’s nearly identical to what Honda uses in the Civic, it probably cost the company very little to change and it makes a world of difference in appearance. The SE model has all power adjustments except for lumbar support, which can be adjusted using a knob.įord also slickly revamped the gauge cluster: In place of the old plain-white numerals on a black background is a blue-and-white background with space-age-like numerals. They offer more support and the cloth is high-quality and looks like it’ll hold up well over time. The bigger changes are to the seats, which are much more comfortable now, especially for long trips. The materials that make up the doors and dashboard are still the same shape, but the top of the dashboard has a new finish to it that makes the 2010 model feel not quite as cheap as the previous generation. I drove the old and new models back-to-back over 600 miles of total driving, however, and can attest that they are worlds apart. Inside, the Fusion is so subtly different that a lot of people might think nothing has been changed. ![]() In back, the taillights have been beefed up, now featuring a honeycomb-type effect that kind of mimics what LED taillights look like, but without the cost of LEDs. Even the SE trim I tested had jewel-like headlights and fog lights. The Fusion clearly doesn’t need the space, but the look gives it a powerful air. In sports cars, that’s often referred to as a “power dome” because the extra space is needed to shoehorn large engines under the hood. Where the old Fusion had a much more horizontal appearance, the new Fusion seems a bit angrier. ![]() Now, that chromed look gets a shot of steroids the grille is taller and narrower, with a pronounced downward angle coming from the slanted headlights. The original Fusion debuted the three-blade grille that has quickly become the new face of Ford products. The most noticeable change is the Fusion’s exterior design. ![]() The second-generation Fusion arrives this spring and, thanks to a number of significant changes and a few cosmetic ones, the 2010 version will be a major competitor in the midsize segment.įorget the bold new grille - which is even bigger and shinier than last year’s - or the upgraded interior what really sets the 2010 Fusion apart is its smoother ride, wonderful new four-cylinder engine and a number of standard features that make it a good deal as well. It certainly found its niche in the segment, even if it fell short compared to competition from Honda and Toyota. When it debuted in 2005, the Ford Fusion had the heavy task of replacing the once-dominating Taurus. To see what’s new for 2012, click here, or check out a side-by-side comparison of the three model years. Little of substance has changed with this year’s model. Editor’s note: This review was written in January 2009 about the 2010 Ford Fusion. ![]()
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