• Anco BaardThe mid-size sedan class is no longer such an easy one to compete in. Gone are the days when all you needed was a sizable boot and semi-comfortable ride to generate sales. BMW and Mercedes have taken the segment to new highs and the segment has become cut-throat.
Comfort, space, performance and good looks are now just the tip of the iceberg of what clients are after, and even then, the market still remains a tough one to crack.
The Ford Fusion has taken the brand’s numerous years of experience and applied its wealth of knowledge to make it stand out, but has it succeeded?
The Fusion certainly makes a case for itself with its styling, while the competition conforms to generic mass appeal. The Fusion stands apart with a shapely body and sharp details. At the front, the hexagon grille bends and bevels between headlamps and foglamps in a way that’s half-Aston, half-Hyundai.
We see the roofline of the Audi A7 from the rear quarters, with the LED taillamps punctuating that point.
But take a look at the side view and it’s all Ford, with the details somehow making a greater sense in composite.
Inside, it’s functional and sleek, especially taking focus front and centre at the touchscreen-driven MyFord Touch system and the tablet-like finish of the center-stack controls. It takes a step away from the angular, more pinched look of the Focus and Fiesta interior, instead framing the center stack of controls in a simple metallic ring that leaves a strong graphic imprint on the cabin.
Even on lesser models, there’s a small LCD screen for radio and SYNC displays, flanked by a small battalion of hard buttons. It is undersized for the allotted space but doesn’t seem completely out of place.
Engine and noise control is, as expected, minimal, thanks to the heavy doors and overuse of rubber seals. This creates tranquil ambiance on highway cruises and adds to the overall comfort perception of the Fusion.
On top of a long list of standard equipment, our test example added heated and cooled front seats, a heated steering wheel, 19-inch wheels, lane keeping aid and navigation. The MyFord Touch system has evolved into something friendlier than it was in early iterations. It is far quicker and the touch-sensitive controls below the eight-inch screen react reliably and promptly to the first tap.
The Fusion is certainly no track racer and those looking for sporty handling will be better off in the new Mazda 6 or Honda Accord. The Fusion’s steering isn’t as sharp and the chassis isn’t as nailed down. That being said, if it’s comfort you seek, the Fusion will deliver tenfold. It steps over potholes in a way that suggests its dampers and bushings were selected with the care and budget usually reserved for luxury cars. And while it doesn’t bait you into swinging around corners, the steering has nice heft and good on-centre surety.
Unfortunately Ford does not offer the AWD version on African shores, instead focusing on the FWD model, which would surely have improved our views on the Fusions’ driving dynamics.
The Fusion comes in 1.5l petrol, 2.0l Ecoboost or 2.0 TDCi diesel variants. While I’d be tempted to recommend the 2.0l Ecoboost motor, it’s tough to do so knowing how great Ford’s diesel lump is. With 400Nm on tap from 2000rpm, the 132kw diesel motor offers a whole lot of poke as well as a respectable fuel consumption figure of 5.1l/100km in a combined cycle.
Power comes in fairly early for a diesel lump, but some turbo lag is to be expected, while the motor keeps churning out torque right up to red line. Both manual and automatic gearboxes were a pleasure to use with shifting into gear offering a reassuring notch into the gate. The set-up is smooth and is apparent that it was designed with comfort in mind and not sportiness.
The Ford Fusion is a lesson in market catering – it’s not massively quick, nor can you throw it around corners, but this is the way Ford intended. Take a look at the Mazda 6 and it’s clear to see that Ford planned the Fusion not just as a copy of the 6 (or vice versa), but as a vehicle to supplement this performance orientated sedan.
It’s designed to be soft, comfortable and caters for those who prefer a more relaxed ride. In this, the Fusion excels and with magnificent styling to boot, it’s a class leader in this segment. Maybe a fusion of Ford’s best ideas? We have no idea, but there’s certainly chemistry here.
