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Comparison review: eight midsize sedans (Second place)
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At just $17,500, the highly competent Ford Fusion is less expensive than some
economy cars.
“Wait for the 2010 model” is common advice to people considering the Ford Fusion. The updated car comes out just next month, with a new look and improved gas mileage.
But buy the 2009 model, and you get a car that’s still highly competent but that comes with lots of nice discounts, including $3,500 in factory rebates you won’t find on the new 2010 when it arrives in dealerships.
But though it offers a lot for a bargain price, in terms of driving dynamics and interior space, the Fusion lacks the overall sense of opulence you’ll find in some competitors. Ford did a lot to make the Fusion into a very good car, but didn’t really manage to make into a “nice” car as much as some of these eight. Ford checked the right boxes, but the end product comes out neither overtly sporty nor luxurious.
For around $17,500 out the door, the lowest price of these eight, it’s hard to argue with the Fusion’s competence. But some people will demand a bit more from the intangibles.
Ford clearly tried to give the Fusion an upscale aura inside. It listened carefully to complaints about hard plastic and coated the dashboard with a material you can sink your finger into. But you wouldn’t know you’re looking at quality unless you happen to give it a good poke; it doesn’t look special and it’s not exactly a high-contact surface. Ford’s interior budget might have been better spent on the places you’re more likely to touch, like the armrests. The cloth seat trim is nice, however.The front seats are firm and comfortable, but neither coddle you like a luxury car nor grip you in place like they would in something sportier. The rear is spacious, but the seat cushion is hard and lumpy.
The Fusion has a firm and comfortable ride. Though it’s not plush like a Toyota Camry, it absorbs bumps without fuss and is steady at speed. The Fusion displays a handling competence similar to the Nissan Altima’s in that it goes where it’s pointed well without being as fun to drive as the Mazda 6 or Honda Accord. The Fusion’s steering is sharper than the Altima’s though, and the Fusion feels a bit smaller even though it’s wider and no less heavy.
The standard 2.3-liter 4-cylinder engine doesn’t offer especially strong acceleration for a midsize sedan, and gets too noisy under acceleration, but it’s powerful enough and sounds smooth. Going down the highway, the Fusion is quiet but not hushed, with mild levels of engine and road noise.
Gas mileage is the lowest among these eight, however, at 20 miles per gallon in the city and 28 on the highway, though the difference between the best and worst is only a relatively small three miles per gallon. The 2010 Fusion will do much better, however: 23 miles per gallon in the city and 34 on the highway (better than any of these eight), but the 2009’s rebates make more financial sense for now.
And as noted, those rebates bring the Fusion’s estimated purchase price (according to Edmunds.com) from an already low $22,570 to just $17,501. That’s the lowest price of these eight, nearly $5,000 less than the Honda Accord, and even significantly less than a compact Honda Civic.
Also, according to reliability surveys from TrueDelta.com and Consumer Reports, you shouldn’t have to worry about these cost savings catching up with you down the road. Both rate the Fusion among the midsize sedans least likely to have defects.
The Fusion also earned top IIHS crash test scores, and the car driven for this review would have earned the organization’s “Top Safety Pick” designation if it had the optional stability control, a system that works with the antilock brakes to help prevent skids. This option seems elusive, however; none of the Fusion SEs at four local dealers included it. Stability control will be standard on the 2010 model, however, one reason to consider waiting for it. But you really shouldn’t have to, especially if you like to save money. The 2009 Fusion may be low-frills to sit in and to drive by the ever-increasing standards of its class, but no one would mistake it for anything less than comfortable and pleasant. It drives well, too, with a smooth ride and better handling than the average budget car.
You can get more refinement and luxury than the Fusion for about the same price. But it’s a solid basic car when the standards for “basic” are very high. It’s not quite ideal for someone who’s looking for the refinement of a Toyota Camry or someone who’s looking for the sportiness of a Mazda6. But it’s refined and it handles well, and it’s perfectly practical as a family sedan.
At $17,500, that’s a strong combination.
Overall grade: A-
Vehicle tested: 2009 Ford Fusion SE
Vehicle base price (MSRP): $19,035
Vehicle price as tested (MSRP): $22,570
Estimated transaction price as tested: $17,501
Estimated transaction price as comparable:* $17,501
Test vehicle provided by: Koons Ford, of College Park, Md.
For more info:
http://www.fordvehicles.com/cars/fusion/index.asp
http://www.fordvehicles.com/cars/fusion/index.asp
Coming up tomorrow: First Place
Sunday, Feb. 8:
Introduction
Monday, Feb. 9:
Eighth Place
Tuesday, Feb. 10: Seventh Place
Saturday, Feb. 14: Third Place
Sunday, Feb. 15:
Second Place
Monday, Feb. 16:
First Place
Tuesday, Feb 17:
Conclusion
*Note on pricing: when possible, the cars tested for this review were comparably equipped. It wasn't always possible. All are 4-cylinder sedans with automatic transmissions, but some have more options than others, which inflate the price tag.
The target for these eight was to have a power driver's seat and a sunroof. Four of them hit this accurately, one had more accessories, and three had fewer. Any discrepancies will be noted as they appear to ease comparison of the vehicles.
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