A few missing ingredients
A given product is good. Since the automotive industry is driven by product, the final outcome of all the research and development has to be good. The Ford Fusion is good. It is perhaps the best overall car that Ford has to offer its customers at the moment. Without a doubt, you will agree that the Mustang is not a regular run-of-the-mill automobile and therefore, I am not referring to it when I say that the Fusion is Ford's most interesting car.
This is important. I, myself, am guilty of forgetting that the Fusion can squarely rival with the Accords, Altimas and Camrys of this world. Since its introduction nearly a year and a half ago, I have driven the Fusion on four separate occasions of varying lengths. Each time, I remember what irritates me about the car but also, what makes me realise why it deserves more attention.
Appealing styling
Primo, the Fusion is a handsome looking car. When compared to the pre-2008 Five Hundred or Freestyle, it has an attractive grille framed by original looking headlight and flowing solid lines. The available array of alloy wheels nicely enhance the Fusion's wheel wells and subtle chrome trim. The quality assembly job is evident by smooth painted surfaces and even gaps all around.
The cabin of the Fusion is neither too small nor too big. It can comfortably accommodate 4 adult passengers or a mixture of adults and children for a total of 5. The front seats could use more lumbar and lateral support. The level of satisfaction with their design is limited as I found out on a drive through the Adirondacks. Through the winding roads, I found myself moving from side to side and I thought this very unfortunate given the car's road-going abilities (I will get back to this later). Legroom, headroom and elbow room is perfect for the average-sized person. The trunk also provides sufficient room for a weekend trip for four.
Once again onboard, the fit and finish is excellent. The materials look the part and are nice to the touch. The leather covering the seats of my SEL tester also seemed to be quality stuff. The dashboard layout is simple and quite functional. The only faults I could find were with the low positioning of the vent locations and for the navigation screen. Consulting the map requires the driver's eyes to travel to the middle part of the center stack, a little far from the action in my opinion. Otherwise, the navigation system works well.
A given product is good. Since the automotive industry is driven by product, the final outcome of all the research and development has to be good. The Ford Fusion is good. It is perhaps the best overall car that Ford has to offer its customers at the moment. Without a doubt, you will agree that the Mustang is not a regular run-of-the-mill automobile and therefore, I am not referring to it when I say that the Fusion is Ford's most interesting car.
This is important. I, myself, am guilty of forgetting that the Fusion can squarely rival with the Accords, Altimas and Camrys of this world. Since its introduction nearly a year and a half ago, I have driven the Fusion on four separate occasions of varying lengths. Each time, I remember what irritates me about the car but also, what makes me realise why it deserves more attention.
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| Ford did its homework with the Fusion. |
Appealing styling
Primo, the Fusion is a handsome looking car. When compared to the pre-2008 Five Hundred or Freestyle, it has an attractive grille framed by original looking headlight and flowing solid lines. The available array of alloy wheels nicely enhance the Fusion's wheel wells and subtle chrome trim. The quality assembly job is evident by smooth painted surfaces and even gaps all around.
The cabin of the Fusion is neither too small nor too big. It can comfortably accommodate 4 adult passengers or a mixture of adults and children for a total of 5. The front seats could use more lumbar and lateral support. The level of satisfaction with their design is limited as I found out on a drive through the Adirondacks. Through the winding roads, I found myself moving from side to side and I thought this very unfortunate given the car's road-going abilities (I will get back to this later). Legroom, headroom and elbow room is perfect for the average-sized person. The trunk also provides sufficient room for a weekend trip for four.
Once again onboard, the fit and finish is excellent. The materials look the part and are nice to the touch. The leather covering the seats of my SEL tester also seemed to be quality stuff. The dashboard layout is simple and quite functional. The only faults I could find were with the low positioning of the vent locations and for the navigation screen. Consulting the map requires the driver's eyes to travel to the middle part of the center stack, a little far from the action in my opinion. Otherwise, the navigation system works well.
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| A surprisingly well assembled interior. |