 2008 Ford Fusion SE four-cylinder. Click image to enlarge |
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2008 Ford Fusion
North Vancouver, B.C. – Ford’s mid-sized Fusion sedan, which replaced the (previous generation) Taurus in 2006, could be described as a fairly average family car: there was nothing particularly ground-breaking about it when it was introduced in the Fall of 2005, except perhaps that it was better-looking and better-handling than the Taurus, was available with a six-speed automatic transmission with the optional V6 engine, and a year later, all-wheel drive became available on V6 models.
Now almost three years after its introduction, the Fusion is up against a gaggle of recently-redesigned competitors, including the Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6, Dodge Avenger, Chrysler Sebring, and Saturn Aura, as well as imports like the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, the all-new Mazda6, Hyundai Sonata, and Kia Magentis.
So what’s to recommend the aging Fusion over its newer competitors?
Well, price is one. Even though the Fusion’s base MSRP of $23,899 is higher than most of its domestic and Korean competitors, Ford is offering generous discounts to bring that price down.
 2008 Ford Fusion SE four-cylinder. Click image to enlarge |
Currently, Ford is offering a Family Pricing Discount of $1,981 and a “Delivery Allowance” of $2,150 on the Fusion, bringing the total savings to $4,131. Ford is offering zero per cent financing to some buyers. Keep in mind, these offers can vary from week to week, but it’s a buyer’s market right now, so there’s plenty of negotiating power.
Another reason you might want to consider the base 2008 Fusion SE four-cylinder model is that it is the only domestic mid-size sedan to offer a standard manual transmission. If you enjoy shifting for yourself, and prefer the frugal mileage of a four-cylinder engine, the Fusion has an advantage.
Manual transmissions are available on some of its four-cylinder import competitors, such as the Accord, Altima (6-speed), Mazda6, Sonata, and Magentis, but the reality is that most domestic car buyers don’t shop the imports when comparing (even though four out of those five imports are manufactured in North America).
By the way, an optional five-speed automatic transmission is available on the base Fusion SE for $1,200.
One unique feature available in the Fusion is Ford’s ‘Sync’ hands-free communications and entertainment system ($495) which allows the driver to use voice-commands to play music from a CD, iPod or USB and make Bluetooth hands-free telephone calls. This option also includes an electrochromic rearview mirror with microphone and a compass. I’m not sure however that Sync alone would be enough to sway a buyer’s decision.
 2008 Ford Fusion SE four-cylinder. Click image to enlarge |
A new feature for 2008 is an SE Sport Appearance Package ($1,200) which includes 16-inch alloy wheels, rear spoiler, power moonroof and overhead console, as pictured on this week’s test car. This appearance package does make the base car look much sportier for a reasonable cost.
Standard features on the 2008 Fusion SE include a 160-hp 2.3-litre four-cylinder engine, five-speed manual transmission, 16-inch tires and steel wheels, four wheel disc brakes with ABS, fog lights, side and side-curtain airbags, air conditioning, AM/FM/CD/MP3 stereo with SIRIUS Satellite Radio with six-month free subscription, auxiliary input jack and steering wheel-mounted controls, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, variable-assist power steering, power windows, power driver’s seat, power mirrors, keyless entry, speed-sensitive wipers, 60/40 split-folding rear seat with spring-loaded release, and tire pressure monitoring system.
A fold-flat front passenger seat is standard on the Fusion as well, but not expecting this in a sedan, I didn’t try it out. It certainly adds to the Fusion’s long cargo capability.
My test car had the optional Sport Appearance Package ($1,200) and block heater ($75) for a total price of $26,524 with options, Freight and A/C tax. But minus Ford’s current discounts, the as-tested price came to $22,393, certainly a good price for a mid-size sedan.
      2008 Ford Fusion SE four-cylinder. Click image to enlarge |
The Fusion’s interior is fairly conventional, which is not a bad thing. There’s generous front and rear legroom, adequate headroom, and soft, cloth seats. Entry and exit to the front and rear seats is easy, and most drivers will be able to find a satisfactory driving position by adjusting the tilt/telescopic steering wheel and the height-adjustable driver’s seat. However, during a week of city and highway driving, I found the driver’s seat cushion and backrest lacked the firm support necessary for longer drives.
For safety, dual front airbags, dual side airbags in the front seats, and dual side-curtain airbags in the roof are all standard equipment, as are five three-point seatbelts and four head restraints – however, the rear outboard head restraints are fixed, not height-adjustable; and there is no centre rear head restraint. Rear door child locks, and rear LATCH anchors and tethers for child seats are standard.
The Fusion’s black plastic instrument panel is redeemed by attractive aluminum-look gauges, grey pattern trim around the radio and heater, subtle chrome trim around the shift lever, and chromed door handles. Between the gauges is a green digital display with driver-selectable information for average fuel consumption, kilometers to empty, average speed, clock, and trip odometer. The steering wheel includes controls for the audio system and cruise control.
Storage areas include a prominent top-of-dash covered bin, lower console bin with 12 volt outlet, front door pockets, and a dual-level bin beneath the centre armrest – inside are a 12-volt outlet and an auxiliary input jack for iPods and so forth. There are two cupholders just behind the shift lever and another two in the folding centre rear armrest.
The standard six-speaker audio system can be upgraded with a six-CD changer ($495) and a 6-CD changer and two more speakers ($695). Other options worth considering are Rear Park Assist ($345) and a Remote Start ($295). The optional Ambient Lighting Package ($295) with a choice of seven different lighting colours in the footwells, cupholders, and storage bin, is probably a waste of money.
While the Fusion’s fully-lined trunk is already very spacious (447 litres/15.8 cu. ft.), split folding seatbacks (released from inside the trunk) add versatility, and as I mentioned, the fold-flat front passenger seatback adds even more cargo-carrying capability.
Overall, I found the Fusion’s interior practical and functional for four or five adult passengers, but would have liked more supportive front seats and proper rear head restraints.
   2008 Ford Fusion SE four-cylinder. Click image to enlarge |
Weighing in at 1442 kg (3181 lb) with the manual transmission, the four-cylinder Fusion develops 160 horsepower and 156 lb-ft of torque from its 2.3-litre DOHC, 16-valve four-cylinder engine, enough to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h run in 9.3 seconds according to tests conducted by the CAA Quebec. The four-cylinder Fusion is not a powerful car, particularly with passengers and luggage on board, and the engine is a bit noisy under hard throttle, but acceleration is adequate for most needs and engine noise is muted at highway speeds. I averaged 10.1 L/100 km (28 mpg) in mostly city driving, compared to its official Energuide rating of 10.1 L/100 km city and 6.9 L/100 km Highway. The Fusion uses Regular grade gas.
The standard five-speed manual transmission has an easy but slightly clunky shift action with reasonably short throws, clutch engagement is smooth, and clutch pedal effort is light. The big shift knob fills your right hand nicely. In city driving, I found that shifting constantly was less laborious than I had expected – the engine has decent torque without having to shift down all the time.
With a fully independent suspension and 205/60R-16-inch tires, the Fusion handles quite well, but its shocks are tuned for comfort more than handling. The power-assisted rack and pinion steering is nicely weighted, and four disc brakes with four-channel ABS offer good pedal feel and quick stops.
The driver’s visibility is good, though the trunk is a bit high and is made worse by the optional trunk spoiler. The Fusion is a bigger car than it looks, and its turning diameter of 11.9 metres (39.0 ft.) is quite wide, making turnarounds more difficult. Still, the Fusion is an easy car to drive, and the ride is quite comfortable. It’s not as sporty as the Honda Accord and Nissan Altima, or as trendy as the Chevy Malibu and Pontiac G6; it’s not as well finished as the new Mazda6 and Hyundai Sonata, and not as inexpensive as the Dodge Avenger and Chrysler Sebring. The Ford Fusion is basically an average family car with a few unique features and a big price reduction. And for many people, that’s all they need.
The base Ford Fusion SE four-cylinder model, the only domestic car available with a manual transmission, is a roomy, comfortable family car with a big trunk. Current price discounts have brought the price down considerably.