oldcajun

The local Ford Dealer has received 2 of the new Fusions. I thought the car looked great in photos, but it is much better in person. It looks larger than I expected and very sleek. My general feeling was that it was something that could have come from Jaguar. Fit and finish were very good.

The two cars were at the opposite ends of the pricing spectrum. A base 2.5L model at about $23K and a Titainium model at nearly $32K. I drove the Titainium model and was really impressed. Nicely done leather seats and plenty of room in front. The acceleration with the 2 liter Ecoboost was at least equal to the 3.5L V6 in the outgoing model. Lots of rear seat room (I'm 6'2") except maybe headroom.

I'm very impressed! This is a lot nicer car than the Camry, Accord, or Malibu. If Ford can keep the reliability of the last version and keep build quality high, they have a winner.
Steve

chikoo

Good to hear that. I will also check it out...this week.

spwolf

did you check out new Accord or?

oldcajun

Yes, I took my wife's 2011 Accord Coupe in for an oil change and the first of the 2013's had just arrived. I drove an EX-L V-6 sedan with the new 6 speed auto. I thought it was a nice improvement over the 2011, but seems almost a generation behind the new Fusion already. The styling is bland and their V-6 seemed slower than the 2.0 Fusion Ecoboost.

I remember the impact the new Sonata had a couple of years ago. The new Fusion has even better styling and does not have to deal with the negative image most people had of Hyundai back then. If Ford doesn't screw this up with quality issues, they will sell all they can build.

Steve

whoster

the new 2013 Focus is already on the road here!

Looks great in person--and the sleekness really helps with "hiding" the size of the car.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

focus or fusion? i know it's so f-f-f- confusing

blacksc400

iTrader: (4)

I have seem one already. The rear looks kinda weird to me.

Fizzboy7

Nice review. With any new Ford, I'd advise people to wait at least one model year. The last few new releases have been plagued with buku recalls.

whoster

dag nabbit.

Fusion!

mmarshall

The new Fusion, though, like other mid-sized sedans, seems to be eliminating traditional V6 engines for smaller (and sometimes more-powerful) turbo fours for a power/economy mix. Personally, in a car that size, I'd rather have the quietness and refinement of a V6. Though some turbos can now burn regular, in general, normally-aspirated engines tolerate it better. Turbos also add heat and complexity.

The overall build-quality of the new Fusion, though, has been praised by the auto press/reviews. I'll withold comment on it until I see it myself.

oldcajun

I thought originally that Ford had saved weight by designing for the smaller engines, but the new MKZ which shares the same platform is available with a 3.7L 300hp V-6. Since the Lincoln will be available with either the 2.0L Ecoboost four or a V-6 it will be interesting to compare.

Rumor has it that next year there will be a SHO version of the Fusion. Instead of a V-6, it will have the 2.3L Ecoboost four at about 315hp.

With the government mandated mileage standards I think we will see more of the smaller turbocharged (or supercharged) engines even in luxury cars. Replace NA V-8 with turbo V-6 and pickup a couple of mpg on the EPA test and keep the same performance. BMW and Ford are beginning to use 1 liter 3 cyl. engines in Europe.
Steve

chikoo

Gorgeous Red Dress. Wonder what she is wearing underneath

chikoo

Nice upscale color too

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

The Fusion has really done well for Ford. When it came out in 2006 it had a very european look to it. Come 2010 more refinements, and now, well now its stunning really

LeX2K

Not feeling the look at all, front end reminds me of a fish.