Gary Yeomans Ford

• Introduction  »
• Interior / Walk Around  »
• Driving Impressions  »
• Summary

Walk Around

The Ford Fusion has presence, unusual among midsize sedans that tend to blend in to the scenery. Some people, including us, like the aggressive, angular look of the Fusion, some don't. One thing we can add to that is that polarizing designs are often more successful than bland designs that neither offend nor excite anyone. In short, we think this is a good-looking car.

The styling features large headlights and a bold grille. Three thick chrome bars across the grille also make the car look more upmarket than its pricing might suggest. The front bumper almost disappears as there are two chrome strips below it that match the ones on the grille.

When the Fusion was first introduced, Ford executives said its three-bar horizontal grille would become the signature styling cue for Ford cars. Since then it has been seen on concept vehicles, as well as the new Edge crossover vehicle and will show up on the new Focus. This distinctive grille catches your eye on the road, distinguishing the Fusion from other mid-size sedans.

The sides of the car are crisply separated from the hood, roof and rear deck. A crisp fold along the top edges of the front fenders runs all the way back along the edge of the roof to the rear deck.

The design of the Fusion features a wide track, which makes it stand out on the freeway when viewed from behind. A high trunk line and large triangular taillight clusters with chrome trim give the rear end a classy look.

The overall effect is pleasing. The chrome on the car contrasts nicely with the body work, especially on dark-colored models or red. Gaps between body panels seem a bit larger than those on some of the other cars in the class.

Changes for 2007 are subtle. The SE model now has fog lights and comes standard with 16-inch wheels.

All-wheel-drive models have AWD badging on the rear deck. While the 17-inch wheels that drive the AWD SEL models are the same design, they have a tell-tale hash mark to identify all-wheel-drive models.

The Fusion fits into the Ford car lineup between the compact Focus and big Five Hundred sedan. It's slightly smaller than the outgoing Taurus, but it has much the same dimensions as its competitors. Although the Fusion shares its basic floorpan with the Mazda 6, its wheelbase is two inches longer and it is an inch or so wider. Ford also says it is a stiffer bodyshell than the Mazda6, which is good because a rigid structure is the key to a smooth ride and responsive handling.

Interior

2007 Ford Fusion

The cabin of the Ford Fusion is comfortable and benefits from straightforward controls.

The front seats manage to be slightly soft, yet supportive enough for long drives. A standard tilt and telescoping steering wheel and the six-way power adjustable driver's seat, standard on the SE and SEL models, helps drivers whether short or tall get comfortable.

In keeping with its European influence, Ford has chosen to go with the soft touch for surface materials, which is expected in a luxury car but not in a mass-market car. The car we drove had a dark charcoal interior so everything was finished in black. The optional two-tone interior, especially the dark stone and camel with faux wood trim looks more inviting. The lighter colored interiors look friendlier.

The dashboard is a straightforward design that runs horizontally across the car's width with just a binnacle above the instrument pod. It contains four small gauges that are easy to read as they are separated from each other rather than overlapping and the figures are in a large font. Decent sized buttons make the radio and climate controls easy to operate. The center stack is simple and boasts straightforward controls that are easy to operate, though it is not beautiful to behold.

A convenient storage bin on top of the dashboard features a large clamshell lid and it's big enough to hold a phone or small camera as well as maps and the like. The center console, door pockets, and front seatback pockets provide additional storage.

New for SE and SEL models for 2007 is a front passenger seatback that folds down, making it possible to haul extra-long items. And heated front seats are an option on SEL models with leather seating.

Rear-seat passengers will find a decent amount of leg room with nicely shaped front seatbacks that allow for plenty of foot space. Head and leg room measurements don't put the Fusion at the top of its class, but the back seat feels roomier than the numbers suggest.

The Fusion has a good-size trunk with a flat floor and low lift-over height, making it easier to load groceries, luggage or cargo. All Fusion models include a 60/40 split rear seatback, which allows for a generous amount of pass-through space. The scissor-type hinges avoid the annoyance of luggage being crushed by gooseneck hinges.

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