I’ve gone and done something completely out of character. I bought a Ford.

Test driving the Fusion opened my eyes to the fact that FoMoCo might actually be on to something with their newest lineup of vehicles. I’ve always liked the styling of the original Fusion model - it had a somewhat class look to it - to it wasn’t enough to mitigate the worry of buying from an American car company. With Ford’s 2010 refresh, however, I was able to put aside worries (misconceptions perhaps?). I was very impressed by the styling improvements, which gives the car a more sporty flair. I’m a big fan of the redesigned exterior, but it was the interior that just floored me. I was finally in a car that made me feel special for getting in the driver’s seat (while remianing affordable). The thoughts expressed in this posting are based off my many test drives and online research that I’ve done. I’m still waiting for the car to come in, so long term, real-world observations will have to wait!

Fuel Economy

Fuel economy is top of mind for my wife an I (she drives a Prius), so when it was time to search for a car to replace my ‘03 Pontiac Vibe (a very fuel efficient vehicle in its own right) that was always a major deal breaker for us. Ford didn’t disappoint on fuel consumption coming in a t 9.4 L/100 km city and 6.4 L/100 km hwy (30 / 44 mpg) which puts it in the number one spot for the mid-sized sedan market in North America, beating out Toyota and Honda. Crazy! For those with slightly deeper pockets, the Ford Fusion Hybrid kills those numbers, but I will refrain from further observations on the Hybrid, as I ultimately didn’t purchase that model.

I should note that the mileage stated above is based on the I-4 2.5L Duratec engine coupled with a 6 speed automatic transmission. I found the 4 banger provided ample power to make the car comfortable and fun enough to drive. The V6 wasn’t even a consideration given a poorer fuel rating, and I enjoyed the 4 cylinder’s power as it was. The one thing missing from the 4 cylinder was the “SelectShift” fake shifting option that comes standard on V6 models. Coming from driving manual transmission vehicles, I feel like I will miss some of the fun, but overall it was starting to get on my nerves, so I’m happy to make the switch to automatic.

Exterior Styling

I’ve been reading many auto blogs and forums since starting my research on the Ford Fusion. It seems as though there are many car enthusiasts that dread the 3 grill look that is currently being implemented by Ford’s hard working Industrial Designers. References to looking like a Gillette razor abound. Perhaps I’m biased because I myself use a Gillette Fusion Power razor, though it has 5 blades, which I agree would be overkill on a car grill. I personally like the look and I think it gives the Fusion a bold and sporty, yet approachable look. Given that this car is likely geared to families and not to snobby car fashionistas, I think its a perfect formula. That being said, there may a little too much chrome accenting going on, but given that I chose the sharp White Platinum tri-coat finish (as pictured above), I think it helps to subdue those accents to more than acceptable levels.

Interior Experience

I say Interior “Experience” for a reason. Perhaps I haven’t been in enough high-end BMW’s, Mercedes or Acura’s, etc. to know any better, but I was blown away by the look and feel of the 2010 Ford Fusion’s interior. The first thing you’ll notice is the ice blue lighting accents on the gauges (pictured below). It gives the dash a  sharp and modern look. I’m also generally critical when boring fonts such as Arial, Helvetica or anything resembling MS Sans Serif is used on the gauges. Sure they’re easy to read, but it just lacks personality. Ford used a stylish font (origin unknown) so I’m pleased with that. Its the little things - really. The heated leather seats and the leather wrapped steering wheel are extremely comfortable and welcoming. I’m not usually one to spring for leather, so I test drove a cloth outfitted Fusion SE model without the leather wrapped steering wheel to see if I could get by and save some bucks. Unfortunately it just wasn’t the same, so I sprung for the leather! Aside from that they did a nice job with the controls on the center dash, though it does tend to look a little busy at first glance. I’m sure its something to get use to over time.

Interior Experience - Technology

I suppose this is becoming a lengthier review/purchase justification than I had originally intended, but I couldn’t overlook one of the most important features of the Fusion (and pretty much any Ford nowadays). It is the Ford Sync system powered by Microsoft that smooths the integration of your cellphone and MP3 players to allow for a hands-free experience for placing/receiving calls and navigating your digital music library. For the case of full-disclosure, it is the one feature that I had not experienced much first-hand, but if the reviews are correct, it’s something people have a hard time going without once they’ve used it. Its exciting to see a car company act like its the 21st century. As our homes, offices, public transport, etc. evolve to include new technologies, its refreshing to see them being implemented into one of the most significant pieces of technology you can own - your car! Bluetooth integration, USB ports and Aux-in ports should be a new norm for all cars of all makes - come on! Its about time. This is one of the features that I am looking forward to the most in the new car. On top of this, Sirius satellite radio capability comes built-in with a 6 month subscription. As I’m already a Sirius subscriber, but I’m looking forward to having it fully integrated into my car, rather than using the separate dock, antenna and cords. Kudos to Ford for the use of high-tech in their vehicles.

More points of interest…

• 12 Speaker Sony surround system - DROOL. Excessive much? Well it came with the sun roof package, so who was I to refuse?
• Rear park assist should help with the Fusion’s slightly higher than normal rear windshield. If you were to drive a Miata behind a Fusion, it will get lost in your rearview mirror. Not that this feature helps that, but it will hopefully assist in avoiding other objects/people when backing out of parking spaces or the garage.
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror
• Ambient lighting is included. Its a nice touch, and it gives you 7 colour options to match your mood.
• Electric ignition - you turn the key, not the ignition. The car does that for you. Pretty neat.
• Dual-zone temperature control.
• Lots of safety features including tonnes of airbags.
• Etc., etc., etc. Go test drive one!

Waiting

At the time of writing this post, I am still waiting on my factory order of 6-8 weeks wait time. A shout-out goes to Rui at Ridgehill Ford for being a honest and helpful sales guy! Seriously a dealership that’s actually nice to deal with - its fantastic! I hope that the long-term reliability and quality of the car match the rest of the work they’ve done to improve their stylings. It would be nice to see Ford return to being a successful and cutting edge automobile maker.