The Ford Fusion is a mid-size car that was manufactured and marketed by the Ford Motor Company. From the 2006 through 2020 model years, two generations of the Fusion have been produced in gasoline, gas/electric hybrid, and gas/plug-in electric hybrid variants. The Fusion was manufactured at Ford's Hermosillo Stamping and Assembly plant in Sonora, Mexico, alongside the Lincoln MKZ, and formerly the Mercury Milan, both of which share its CD3 platform.
Production on the first Fusions began on August 1, 2005. The Fusion replaced the Mondeo for the Latin American markets, except in Argentina (where the current European Mondeo is available); in the United States and Canada it superseded the then mid-size Taurus and the compact Contour. The Fusion is positioned between the compact Ford Focus and the full-size Ford Taurus. In the Middle East, this model is sold alongside the Mondeo. Versions sold there are available only with the 2.5-liter engine. Unlike in the United States, Canada, and Latin America, no V6 engine is available in that region. The same is true in South Korea, where only the 2.5-liter engines (including those for the hybrid model) are available as of the 2012 model year.
The second generation line-up includes a gasoline engine option, an EcoBoost engine option, a next-generation hybrid model, and a plug-in hybrid version, the Ford Fusion Energi, making the Ford Fusion the first production sedan to offer these four options. Sales of the gasoline-powered and hybrid versions began in the U.S. in October 2012 under the 2013 model. Sales in Europe and Asia as Ford Mondeo began in 2015, along with South Africa, where the Fusion name was used.2015 FORD FUSION RINGS THE CHANGES, CAR, July 15, 2014 Deliveries of the Fusion Energi began in the U.S. in February 2013. The entire 2013 Fusion line-up was awarded with the 2013 Green Car of the Year at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show. In 2019, the Fusion was the seventh-best selling car in the United States.
First generation (2006)
The Fusion used Ford's CD3 platform, originally designed by Mazda as its G platform, its wheelbase stretched by 5 cm and width extended by 5.5 cm. The Fusion was the first production car to use Ford's three-bar grille.
Available in S, SE, and SEL trims, the standard engine on each was the Mazda-designed 2.3 L Duratec 23 I4, paired with either a 5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmission, both also designed by Mazda. SE and SEL models were also available with a 3.0 L Duratec 30 V6 and a 6-speed automatic made by Aisin Japan. The Fusion shared some interior parts with the otherwise-unrelated European Mk III Ford Mondeo, such as part of the console and the seats.
Ford's early advertising campaign for the Fusion in the United States used the tagline, "Life in Drive", in the U.S. and "Create a Reaction," in Canada.Ford Fusion Cars: Ford Canada In January 2007, the company launched a new campaign for the Fusion with the tagline "Fusion Challenge" (later, "Ford Challenge"). The American Ford Fusion emerged the winner over the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord based on the attributes of styling, reliability from Consumer Reports, handling, and "fun to drive" in head-to-head comparison tests with the Japanese sedans performed by subscribers of Car and Driver and Road & Track magazines in the Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles regions.
In July 2007, Motor Trend reported that Ford's Special Vehicle Team tuner group planned to release a Fusion GT in late 2009 or early 2010. Its 3.5-liter Eco-Boost V-6 would make about 340 horsepower. No such vehicle ever came to fruition.
Features and model year changes For 2007, all-wheel-drive became available on V6 models. Sirius Satellite Radio became available as an option on the SE and SEL trims. The front passenger fold-flat seat was introduced and became standard on the SEL and SE trims. The Fusion gained front-seat side airbags, a side air curtain, and a perimeter alarm as standard features, all of which had previously been available as cost options. An auxiliary input jack became stand equipment and a DVD-based navigation system became optional.
For the 2008 model year, ABS and tire pressure monitoring became standard features. New optional features included rear parking assist, Ford's SYNC multimedia and communication system, and ambient interior lighting. The DVD navigation was replaced with a new generation system featuring voice commands, and for the first time navigation was available with manual transmission. Several colors were removed and some others added.
Two new packages were added to the options list for 2008:
Sport Appearance Package, which included such interior and exterior improvements as 18-inch machined aluminum wheels, a rear spoiler, stiffer suspension, body-color fog lamp surrounds, smoke-colored grille, red seat inserts, and red stitching on leather surfaces. Moon and Tune, which included a power moonroof and a premium eight-speaker Audiophile sound system with amplifier.
For 2009, electronic stability control was added as an option. A new appearance package with blue trim became available, and revisions were made to the exterior color palette.
Trim levels For 2006–2009: The S was the base model, including the 2.3L Duratec I4 engine, with either an automatic or manual transmission available, an AM/FM stereo with single-disc CD player and four speakers plus an auxiliary audio input jack (2007–2009), sixteen-inch steel wheels with plastic wheel covers, cloth seating surfaces, and keyless entry. The SE was the step-up model, adding sixteen inch alloy wheels, AM/FM stereo with single-disc CD/MP3 player, power front driver's seat, and a security system. The SEL was the top-of-the-line model, seventeen inch aluminum wheels, adding power dual front seats and later offering a standard Ford SYNC system.
In Mexico the Fusion was offered in two trim levels through 2005–06: SE and SEL, with automatic transmission only. For the 2007 model year, the S trim was introduced and a manual transmission was newly available for the S and SE trim levels. These two trims had standard 16-inch alloy wheels (Steel rims were not offered on any Mexican trim even on the S trim that offered them in the US. ), while the SEL trim had 17-inch alloy wheels standard (just like the US models). The 2008 model year added Ford's Ford SYNC to the SEL trim. The manual transmission was discontinued after 2008 in Mexico due to poor sales. The 2009 model year was a very short one in Mexico because the 2010 Fusion arrived in dealerships by late February 2009.
Engines EnginePowerTorque Duratec 23 @6250rpm @4250rpm Duratec 30 V6 @6250rpm @4800rpm
Crash testing National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: Frontal Driver (2006, 07, 08 early release): Frontal Driver (2008 later release, 2009): Frontal Passenger (2006, 07, 08 early release): Frontal Passenger (2008 later release, 2009): Side Driver (no side airbag, 2006 only): Side Driver (side airbag): Side Rear Passenger (no side airbag, 2006 only): Side Rear Passenger (side airbag): Rollover FWD: Rollover AWD:
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety: Frontal Offset (2006, 07 early release): Acceptable Frontal Offset (2007 later release, 08–09): Good Side Impact (no side airbag, 2006 only): Poor Side Impact (side airbag 2006, 07 early release): Acceptable Side Impact (2007 later release, 08–present): Good Roof Strength (2005–10 mfg before May 2010): Acceptable Roof Strength (2010 mfg after April 2010–2012): Good
Although the frontal offset test for 2007 (later release) to 2009 is rated good overall by IIHS, injury measures from head/neck and right leg/foot is rated acceptable.
2010 refresh
For the 2010 model year, Ford facelifted the Fusion, extensively, along with its badge engineered variants, the Mercury Milan and Lincoln MKZ, — under Chief Designer Darrell Behmer.
Retaining the roof and doors of the earlier iterations, the mid-cycle refresh featured revised front and rear end fascias,Edmunds.com Spy Photos: 2010 Ford Fusion – December 23, 2007LeftLaneNews.com Spied: 2010 Ford Fusion gets beefier grille – January 29, 2008 interior and powertrain. Powertrain options are similar to those that debuted on the 2009 Ford Escape, including the new 2.5 L I4 and 3.0 L PIP Duratec series V6 engine coupled to Ford's new 6F35 six-speed transmission. The 3.0 L Duratec provided with E85 fuel capability, while the I4 provided . The 3.5 L Duratec 35 producing was standard in the Fusion Sport. The I4 and 3.0 L V6 engines included adaptive knock control and aggressive deceleration fuel cutoff features to improve fuel economy. Interior changes included a new optional 8" screen navigation control system, a new center console design, and Ford's new trademark "Ice Blue" illumination for the controls and gauges that is shared with the Ford Focus and Ford F-150.
Beginning with the 2010 model year, the Fusion (alongside its badge-engineered variants, the Mercury Milan and the Lincoln MKZ — and their hybrid variants) used an acoustic glass for the front windscreen and rear lite. Marketed as Carlite SoundScreen, the glass used a sheet of acoustic vinyl between two layers of glass to reduce noise levels by as much as 6 dB at certain frequencies and 2 to 3 dB overall, enabling more intelligible in-car conversation. The polyvinyl butyral (PVB) layer could save up to seven pounds per vehicle, and helped cut the vibration noise stemming from the vehicle's engine compartment.
Trim levels The S was once again the base model, including the 2.5L Duratec I4 engine (replacing the 2.3 L Duratec), manual transmission, AM/FM stereo with single-disc CD/MP3 player, auxiliary input jack and four speakers, sixteen-inch alloy wheels, cloth seating surfaces, and keyless entry. The SE was the mid-range model, adding seventeen-inch steel wheels, six speakers, and power front driver's seat, as well as a security system. SIRIUS Satellite Radio also came standard on this model. The SEL was the upper-end model, with seventeen inch aluminum wheels, standard Ford SYNC system and 290 watt Sony 12 speaker surround sound, standard leather seating surfaces (optional cloth for fleet), dual zone automatic temperature control, driver door keypad, and dual power front seats. The Sport was a stand-alone model, offering standard eighteen-inch alloy wheels, darkened front grille (2011–2012), rear spoiler, lower body side skirts, leather seating surfaces, a 3.5L Duratec V6 engine, and sport tuned suspension. The Hybrid model added onto the SEL model, with a 2.5L Duratec I4 engine assisted by an Atkinson hybrid electric motor, an electroluminescent Optitron-style gauge cluster, dual power front seats, and an Eco Driving mode to tell the driver how economically they are driving.
Engines EnginePowerTorqueEPA Gas Mileage (city/highway/combined) (MPG)0–60 mph (0–97 km/h) Times Duratec 25 I4 23/33/26 (automatic); 22/30/25 (selectshift, SE/SEL trims); 22/32/25 (manual, S trim); 22/29/24 (manual, SE trim) 8.0 sec Duratec 30 V6 20/28/23 FWD; 18/26/20 AWD, gasoline/E85 flex fuel 7.4 sec Duratec 35 V6 (Fusion Sport); 18/27/21 FWD; 17/24/19 AWD 6.5 sec Duratec 25 I4 (engine) (engine) (Hybrid) 41/36/39 7.8 sec (combined)N/A
Safety ratings The Ford Fusion line-up was included in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety 2010 "Top Safety Picks" rating for the mid-size category. Due to the fact that Ford modified and strengthened the roof structure of the Flex, Fusion, and MKT vehicles, these 2010 ratings apply only to Lincoln MKZs, Mercury Milan and Fusions built after April 2010.
Safety concerns In June 2010, it was reported that National Highway Traffic Safety Administration was investigating into floormat-related unintended acceleration in 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan. According to NHTSA's estimate, as many as 249,301 cars could be affected.