What might be the best reason for buyers to buy into Ford's vision of the midsize segment is the Fusion's price. Starting at $22,995 for the
entry four-cylinder model or $24,195 with the $1,200 automatic included, it's a veritable bargain.
Others that fight it out at this level include Hyundai's extremely competent and even less expensive Sonata, at $21,900, totally redone for 2006, Kia's Magentis, which will come to market in all-new form next year, and the Chevy/Suzuki Epica/Verona twins, stylish and fairly refined with a standard inline-six, but just the same the wallflowers in this class.
The Accord and Camry are slightly higher in price than these more entry-level models, with the former starting at $24,300 and the latter at $24,990. The Accord V6 costs a staggering $29,500, well featured mind you, while the Camry V6 will need you to part with $27,475, and the V6 Sonata will set you back a measly $25,000.
Load up the two Japanese leaders with features and the window sticker starts to scrape away at premium territory, at least in the Camry's case. Honda's entry only reaches a total of $33,600, while Toyota's midsize warrior maxes out at $36,835.
In comparison, V6-powered Fusions start at $25,995, with a fully
optioned version leveling off at $32,140. Only the Koreans make top-line Fusions seem expensive, and with the outgoing Hyundai Sonata's superb reliability, which should mirror the 2006 model's rating, and the new cars impressive improvements, its $28,125 fully loaded price could cause Ford some trouble. Ford will need to rely on the Fusion's unique styling and its large dealer network to pull in would-be Sonata buyers.
Only time will tell if Martens is right in predicting Ford's Fusion to unseat Accord and Camry for top sales honours. Ford did it before, with its first-generation Taurus, but it's been a very long time since the blue oval automaker has had such influence in the midsize sector. Then again, it's also been a very long time since Ford has had anything anywhere near as good as the Fusion to compete with.
 |
| What might be the best reason for buyers to buy into Ford's vision of the midsize segment is the Fusion's $22,995 base price. (Ford Motor Company of Canada) |
Others that fight it out at this level include Hyundai's extremely competent and even less expensive Sonata, at $21,900, totally redone for 2006, Kia's Magentis, which will come to market in all-new form next year, and the Chevy/Suzuki Epica/Verona twins, stylish and fairly refined with a standard inline-six, but just the same the wallflowers in this class.
The Accord and Camry are slightly higher in price than these more entry-level models, with the former starting at $24,300 and the latter at $24,990. The Accord V6 costs a staggering $29,500, well featured mind you, while the Camry V6 will need you to part with $27,475, and the V6 Sonata will set you back a measly $25,000.
Load up the two Japanese leaders with features and the window sticker starts to scrape away at premium territory, at least in the Camry's case. Honda's entry only reaches a total of $33,600, while Toyota's midsize warrior maxes out at $36,835.
In comparison, V6-powered Fusions start at $25,995, with a fully
 |
| It's also been a very long time since Ford has had anything anywhere near as good as the Fusion for competing against Asian automakers. (Ford Motor Company of Canada) |
Only time will tell if Martens is right in predicting Ford's Fusion to unseat Accord and Camry for top sales honours. Ford did it before, with its first-generation Taurus, but it's been a very long time since the blue oval automaker has had such influence in the midsize sector. Then again, it's also been a very long time since Ford has had anything anywhere near as good as the Fusion to compete with.
Article Gallery