 2010 Ford Fusion SEL V6. Click image to enlarge |
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2010 Ford Fusion
Ottawa, Ontario – For 2010, the Ford Fusion mid size sedan has been comprehensively revised with new styling, a new interior, new four and six-cylinder engines, new standard and optional features, and a new hybrid model. The new Fusion competes in one of the toughest market segments, where competitors include the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Mazda6, Nissan Altima, and Hyundai Sonata, not to mention Chevrolet’s well -received and currently discounted Malibu. To be successful in this segment, the 2010 Fusion has to exceed expectations.
This week, we’re reviewing the well-equipped SEL V6 front-wheel drive model with a base MSRP of $28,799.
 2010 Ford Fusion SEL V6. Click image to enlarge |
Powered by a 240-horsepower 3.0-litre V6 engine, the front-wheel drive Fusion SEL (all-wheel drive is also available with a 263-hp 3.5-litre V6) is priced competitively, and represents a typical V6 specification for this type of vehicle. Our test Fusion added the mandatory $100 air conditioning tax, a $2,000 “Moons and Tunes” package (Sony audio upgrade and moonroof), $350 rear spoiler, $80 engine block heater and a $1,225 leather interior package. With a factory $800 discount on the audio/moonroof option, and a $1,350 charge for destination, the as-tested price was $33,104 (although at the time of this writing, Ford was offering a further $1,000 delivery allowance, reducing the price to $32,104).
Missing (but available) is a navigation system ($2,100) and Driver’s Vision Group ($1,400 – includes blind spot information system and rear camera) – but you do get Ford’s SYNC, a voice-activated communications and entertainment system, and a full range of power amenities and safety features (including electronic stability control), 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic climate control, chrome side window mouldings, keypad locking, auto-dimming rearview mirror, overhead console with storage, leather-wrapped wheel, trip computer, wireless connectivity, automatic headlamps, rear reading lamps, compass, and outside temperature display. An audio rear-park assist is available as a stand-alone option, for $400.
Standard equipment aside, consumers are highly motivated by styling and performance, and in these two areas, the 2010 Fusion scores well. Exterior styling is an evolution of the outgoing model, tidying up the corners, raising the beltline, and moving on from the trendy brightwork. Some may find the grille too large for the car (although it does set it apart) but the lights are better integrated and the hood is taller, giving the Fusion a more substantial and purposeful presence.
 2010 Ford Fusion SEL V6. Click image to enlarge |
Resisting the temptation to “go big” like the newest Honda Accord or Mazda6, the 2010 Fusion is about 100-millimetres shorter than those cars, and its overall dimensions are pretty much unchanged from the outgoing model. Many buyers may appreciate this when parking or manoeuvring in tight quarters.
Wearing its Atlantis Green metallic paint (new for 2010), and contrasting Camel leather interior, our test Fusion was a very classy-looking car.
On the road, power, handling and ride are well matched, with the Fusion oriented toward capable comfort, rather than dynamic performance. The Duratec V6 engine produces a healthy 240 horsepower at 6,550 r.p.m. and 223 pound-feet of torque at 4,300 r.p.m., so it’s got the numbers, and is tuned for regular grade fuel (it is also E85 capable). This is a very smooth engine except when accelerating hard, but it can seem somewhat lazy in everyday driving. This may have to do with the six-speed transmission which is built for economy, shifting early and keeping the engine speed low. Step on the accelerator, though, and a “go-faster” gear is quickly found and the car comes alive.
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at 8:02 am
Yup, I sure would appreciate better fuel economy numbers for this car. It just goes to show that Ford’s ancient 3.0L engine is still, and always has been a fuel gulper. They should just ditch it and make a 2.8L version of the new 3.5L engine and give it direct injection without the turbos. That would gives us better economy than my 1989 Ciera!
at 10:22 am
Nice car, but I still like the Malibu better. Seems big, and I don’t know what the writer is talking about it being smaller than the Mazda 6. It’s the same car. The bumpers might make it a bit shorter, but the wheelbase and interior should be the same length. Still, the last Fusion was too small, but this one seemed to jump a little too much in size.
at 10:44 am
I know there is a lot of positive news about Ford lately, and they are putting out some good product, but now that I have seen the 2010 Fusion in the metal, I’m really not that impressed. There is too much chrome on the front, and the interior looks very dated. The grey on greige colour with faux-wood trim looks terrible, although the fit is very good. I agree with poster Mozeby that the Malibu is probably a better car.
at 11:30 am
I think this new model is a huge step up in the appearance department. It looks very elegant and classy if not a little mean looking at the same time.
I’d buy this car in a heartbeat over the Chevy – for no other reason than quality and frequency of repair.
at 12:29 pm
You can truly say Ford has finally built a decent mid size. Only took them since the days of Henry Ford. The front end styling will age quickly, as I find it a bit tacky and inconsistent with the rest of the car. IMO the Malibu is a better car inside and out. Also I`d be cautious of Ford`s new quality claim that they rival Honda and Toyota. Remember, it`s initial quality they are measuring, not 5-10 year reliability. I find it interesting that within a year or two, Ford has become a leader in quality. Time will tell, I guess.
at 2:31 pm
The new Fusion is exactly the same as the older model. It is simply a rework of the previous one. The changes come in the engine and interior otherwise it is only an evolutionary change based on the CD3 platform also used by Mazda. Check out Consumer Reports for the reliability issue. The Fusion matches both the boring Camry and the huge Accord at a lot less money!
at 7:01 pm
Ford has taken some strides in quality but like AL pointed out, long term quality is a different story- a comparo to Toyota and Honda is a tad premature at the moment. A good interior is not as important as what is under the hood – the quality that goes into that department is what really counts. A good effort Ford.
at 7:39 pm
Spec5,
Couldn’t agree with you more on the quality and frequency of repair blurb. My wife has the Malibu’s sister car, the G6, and it has been the worst POS we’ve ever owned. I could go on about all the problems and dealer visits we’ve had to endure, but suffice it to say its been in the shop more than we’ve had it and I wouldn’t have enough space in this blog.
Friend of mine has a 2008 Fusion and father-inlaw has a 2003 Focus wagon and both have been solid. My last Ford was a 1983 Ford Fairmont Futura that made me swear never to buy Ford again.
Looks like I might break my vow and give Ford another try;-)
at 8:40 pm
Al, the 5-10 year window in consumer reports has Ford beating all other domestics across the board for reliability as well. Ford, by the numbers, has had a fairly long track record of producing better built cars, but as we all know perceptions are slow to change.
at 6:31 am
Anthony, beating Gm and Chrysler is nothing to brag about. These companies are way below average, so the bar is quite low. BTW, the big 3 are not domestic. All these companies are foreign, with some manufacturing and assembly operations set up here. Fusion is made in Mexico at a non union facility, based on a Mazda6 platform. Maybe that`s why the quality is better.
at 10:51 am
Hey Ford, where’s the wagon version?
at 1:03 pm
Ford Fusion looks much better than last years version. Only the interiod is the same old ford style. What most impresses me is the Hybrid although it’s more expensive.
As a potential buyer, I am still leaning toward Japanese cars. The Big3 have not convinced me yet. But Ford is on the right direction.
at 2:41 pm
I would have to agree that would is definitely starting to make better cars, but at the same time I would like to point out a fact to some ignorant car buyers that Chev is still the way to go(NOT Pontiac !!) .If you do not believe me here some of the Initial Quality ratings…
2009 Nameplate IQS Ranking, Problems per 100 Vehicles
Lexus, 84
Porsche, 90
Cadillac, 91
Hyundai, 95
Honda, 99
Mercedes-Benz, 101
Toyota, 101
Ford, 102
Chevrolet, 102
Infiniti, 106
Mercury, 106
Industry Average 108
at 7:02 am
Mid to long term reliability and build quality is still a concern with me when it comes to Ford.
at 7:39 am
Joe S. wrote “The new Fusion is exactly the same as the older model. It is simply a rework of the previous one.”
How is this exactly the same as the last one, when the new one is larger in every dimension, and uses newer, larger engines. The interior is completely new, and it’s styling will never be confused with the last model. It’s a totally new car.
at 7:28 pm
Mozeby, get with the game buddy! You have absolutely no idea of what you are talking about! Even Ford says that this is a midlife refresh. Read the numbers. The interior is exactly the same as the last model’s except for some new plastic buttons. The interior dimensions are exactly the same. The seats are exactly the ssame. I know because I have test drove both of them. The only difference on the outside is new plastic on the front grille, hood shape and some new taillights, hardly a “new” car. The trunk size is exactly the same as well. The only real differnce is that the engines are larger but with relatively the same fuel consumption. Do your homework before you say things that you know nothing about!!!
at 12:09 am
To the pseudo-know-it-all who called the 3.0 ancient, it is actually a new Duratec design and not the Vulcan (which was also a copasetic design). Please go back to fondling the fragile timing belt on your Honduh (”it breaks, it breaks not, it breaks…”) and leave the real knowledge to people with a clue.
at 9:44 am
Good point about this engine having a timing chain and not a belt that needs replacing. Also the Fusion loaded up is many thousand of dollars cheaper than an Accord especially with current incentives. It will be interesting to hear how good the long term reliability actually is. I doubt Honda’s is as good now as it was in the past.
at 10:10 am
My 2007 Fusion SE was written off after an encounter with a white tail doe at 110kms. All three of my kids and I were unharmed, thanks to the good construction of the Ford. The car had 110,000 kms on it, and it was never back at the dealer for repair. Routine oil changes, tire rotations were the only visits it needed. Very solid, reliable, excellent handling (probably the best vehicle on icy roads I have ever ridden/driven). I just purchased a 2010 SEL, V6 3.0 litre. It is amazing how different the 2 feel. I really liked my 07, but I love the 10. So far, it has been getting 4-5 mpg better fuel economy than my similarly equipped 07, and I have just over 1,000 kms on it. Ford’s current incentives make this a no brainer vs a comparably equipped Camry, Accord or Mazda6. I tried the Sonota and Malibu on test drives, but was not impressed by the Sonota – it still felt cheap compared to the Fusion.
at 7:14 pm
Like an earlier writer, I wrote off a 2009 Accord and bought a Fusion. Accord didn’t fair well in the crash vs a Dodge Neon, and after 10,000 Km I’d regretted buying a Honda. The hype never matched the reality; boring, uncomfortable, and just nothing speccial — to many car mags are biased toward foriegn cars. The Fusion SEL 4 auto is too new to give anything but first impressions, but those are darn good -actually amazing. I tested everything from new Passat, A4, to Malibu, Toyota and even a Charger. Fusion just blew me away with total package and value. Wife who drives a BMW 330 even offered to switch!!!
at 10:46 am
@NoMoreJapanCars
Great to hear…hey I have a 650i…I’ll trade that for the Fusion as well. Sounds like Ford has done a good job…I’ll look into a Fusion next time I’m in the market.