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Overview
The 2018 Ford Fusion has plenty going for it, including fuel-efficient powertrains, sporty driving dynamics, and styling that makes it look better than any midsize sedan has a right to be.
Performance
The Fusion continues to offer more powertrain options than just about any midsize sedan, including turbocharged gasoline engines and hybrid and plug-in hybrid models. The trim options also include a Sport model with a powerful V6 engine.
Base models use a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated Duratec® four-cylinder engine, which produces 175 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. (That should be easy to remember.) It drives the front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission for an EPA-estimated 25 mpg combined (21 mpg city, 32 mpg highway).*
The Fusion is also offered with a 1.5-liter turbocharged EcoBoost four-cylinder engine. This may seem like a small engine for a midsize sedan, but it produces a healthy 181 hp and 185 lb-ft of torque. Front-wheel drive and a six-speed automatic transmission are also standard with this powertrain.
For a bit more power, Ford also offers a 2.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost four-banger. This engine produces 240 hp and 231 lb-ft (enough to rival some six-cylinder engines) and also comes equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission. However, the 2.0-liter engine is available with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The front-wheel drive version is rated at 25 mpg combined (21 mpg city, 31 mpg combined), while the all-wheel drive version gets 23 mpg combined (20 mpg city, 29 mpg highway).*
For 2018, Ford also adds a new V6 Sport model with a 2.7-liter twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6. It boasts 325 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque with standard all-wheel drive. The V6 Sport is EPA-rated at 20 mpg combined (17 mpg city, 26 mpg highway).*
Ford still offers a Fusion Hybrid as well. In this model, a 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine drives the front wheels with help from an electric motor and 1.4-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack. Total system output is 188 hp, and the Fusion Hybrid gets an EPA-rated 42 mpg combined (43 mpg city, 41 mpg highway).*
Finally, the Fusion Energi is a plug-in hybrid model that can use its gasoline engine to recharge the battery pack, or plug into an external charging station. It uses essentially the same powertrain as the Fusion Hybrid but with a 7.6-kWh battery pack for an EPA-estimated 97 MPGe.* Both hybrid models feature unique software tweaks that improve drivability.
Features
The 2018 Ford Fusion is a four-door, five-seat midsize sedan, priced starting from $22,120.**
Standard features on the base Fusion S include a tilt/telescoping steering column, multifunction steering wheel, automatic headlights, push-button start, SYNC® voice recognition, 60/40 split-fold rear seatback, chrome grille, LED taillights, and 16-inch alloy wheels.
The Fusion SE incorporates all of the applicable standard features from the Fusion S, and adds a rear center armrest, compass, rear climate control vents, 4.2-inch LCD display in the instrument cluster, power front seats, LED signature lighting, and 17-inch nickel-colored alloy wheels.
The Fusion Titanium builds on the standard equipment of the S and SE models, adding features like Ford’s SYNC® 3 infotainment system, 12-speaker Sony audio system, heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather-wrapped steering wheel with shift paddles, ambient lighting, auto-dimming rearview mirror, Intelligent Access with remote start, and leather seating surfaces.
The Fusion V6 Sport is the only model offered with the 325-hp V6 engine. It also gets model-specific 19-inch alloy wheels, sport seats, and LED fog lamps with bright bezel.
The top Fusion model is the appropriately named Platinum. It features a luxury-car level of standard equipment, including heated and cooled front seats, SYNC® Connect system, premium leather seats, rain-sensing wipers, power tilt/telescoping steering column with memory, voice-controlled navigation, and a power moonroof.
Design
Styling has always been one of the Fusion’s strong suits. The grille, headlights, and other elements of the front fascia keep the Fusion fresh without altering styling that regularly evokes comparisons to Aston Martin.
The Fusion's interior offers a rotary gear selector in place of a traditional shifter, freeing up space in the center console. Ford’s SYNC® 3 infotainment system is also available as an option. It’s a vast improvement over the old MyFord Touch® system, and enables SYNC® Connect smartphone connectivity.
Safety
Standard safety equipment on the 2018 Ford Fusion includes anti-lock brakes, stability and traction controls, rearview camera, and a full array of airbags. Optional features include a blind spot information system with cross-traffic alert, lane keeping system, park assist, adaptive cruise control, and pre-collision system with pedestrian detection.
Verdict
The 2018 Ford Fusion combines handsome styling with an impressive array of powertrains and technology. Watch out, Honda and Toyota.
Be sure to contact us online or visit Mills Ford Chrysler at 4100 U.S. 71, Willmar, MN 56201 to schedule a test drive.
*EPA-estimated city/hwy mpg for the model indicated. See fueleconomy.gov for fuel economy or other engine/transmission combinations. Actual mileage will vary. On plug-in hybrid models and electric models, fuel economy is stated in MPGe. MPGe is the EPA equivalent measure of gasoline fuel efficiency for electric mode operation.
**Starting MSRP excludes destination/delivery charge, taxes, title and registration.
Image: Ford
