2013 Ford Fusion Review (AutoGuide)

[ausrutherford]

By Colum Wood
Sep. 24, 2012
AutoGuide

Do that for 20 years with a reputation for reliability and you’ll have a product people will buy without thinking twice.

Need a short cut? Deliver the same recipe in a package so dramatically good looking people dream about parking one in their driveway.

A FAMILIAR FACE

I am of course referring to the 2013 Ford Fusion, a car that rolls down the street with the presence of a European sports car. Sure Ford’s design department has all the originality of a college paper ripped from the pages of Wikipedia, but in the marketplace of public opinion (as in the actual marketplace) cheating is rewarded.

In fact, Ford’s design department should be praised as much as ridiculed. As a part of the brand’s “One Ford” plan models are now sold, in nearly identical packaging, in a global marketplace. The marketing team will tell you they did extensive studies to determine a universally attractive design and (cue the sarcastic surprise), an Aston Martin front grille does the trick.

Would you blame Toyota if the next Camry looked like a Ferrari? You might, but you’d also buy one.

[john1168]

I wish it had a bigger moonroof and that the 2.0T AWD went a little quicker but other than that, I think this is going to be my next car. Nice job Ford!

[MKII]

American first drives are so weird to read, especially when it is a domestic brand vehicle being reviewed.
At least it sure seems like there are lots of weird back handed almost compliments but quickly dismissed by
some insignificant useless drivel.
I am sure more interior nit-picking will be showing up as this one touched on it.
It is the only weak point IMO about the car.

[SP1966]

Its funny, but I think the interior is very nice. I like that it is both modern and subdued at the same time and think the interiors on most recent small fords have been way to busy for my tastes. As they say, taste is subjective.

On a side note MKII, the wife and I visited Tallinn many years back while on a cruise, yours is a beautiful, awesome city!!

[JuMPy]

I also like the Interior, although MFT and its crappy reviews makes me nervous. I still have a couple years before I start looking for a replacement for my current fusions, so hopefully by then MFT is a better product.

[Logans Run]

I like the interior too. It is not overstyled with lots of silly angles and many bits and pieces coming together.

I am so behind time with technology that MFT wouldn't even be noticed. I switch between two radio stations, and only use the CD player a couple times a year. I'm sure I could figure out the climate controls easily.

[Mschmal]

Fear not MyFord Touch. Once you get the hang of the system and especially understand that it should have been named MyFord Speak...as in voice commands, you want it in every car you ever buy again.

Why is it that BMW is allowed to have a learning curve with that stupid joystick, but Ford is not.

With voice commands, you can program a destination into nav with 2 commands. Switch stations in the media source you currently are playing with 1 command and switch to a station on a different media source with 2 commands. You can change the climate temp with 1 command. You can listen to text messages and respond...(responding does require you to look at the screen) using 2 to 4 commands. Eventually you'll be able to dictate a voice command.

Good luck

[steward15]

I am so behind time with technology that MFT wouldn't even be noticed. I switch between two radio stations, and only use the CD player a couple times a year. I'm sure I could figure out the climate controls easily.

[2b2]

2013 Ford Fusion Full Test - InsideLine
Plus-Size Utility, Petite Road Manners
By Josh Jacquot, Senior Editor | Published Oct 17, 2012

...At 112.2 inches, the 2013 Ford Fusion has the longest wheelbase in the midsize segment by a large margin. Though this added length makes the car look big, it is beneficial for rear-seat passengers. More importantly, from behind the wheel you never know it's there, as this Fusion is the best-handling family sedan we've tested in recent memory.

The Power of EcoBoost
It's worth noting that our 2013 Ford Fusion test car is an all-wheel-drive model, which likely contributed to its strong handling in our instrumented tests. As important, though, is that Ford succeeded in making a large car with a very long wheelbase drive like, well, a smaller car.

Part of the credit goes to the new 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine. It's now the most powerful engine in the lineup and it stomps out 237 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 270 pound-feet of torque at a low 3,000 rpm on 87 octane fuel. Compare this to the V6 in Honda's Accord — probably the best big engine in the segment — and the Ford's liveliness begins to make some sense. The 3.5-liter Honda mill needs 1,900 more revs to deliver 18 fewer lb-ft of torque. Advantage: turbo engine...

...Back to the Handling
Remarkably, the longest-wheelbase car in the segment also produces the quickest slalom speed we've ever seen for the group. Balanced by an all-wheel-drive system using an electronically controlled clutch-type center differential, the system yields a more neutral attitude on the throttle than its front-drive competition. The result is a 66.3-mph slalom speed despite nondefeat stability control.

If we had to pick a midsize sedan for pure driving pleasure, the all-wheel-drive 2013 Ford Fusion would be our first choice...

MORE...

[shockersdud]

I wish it had a bigger moonroof and that the 2.0T AWD went a little quicker product reviews but other than that, I think this is going to be my next car. Nice job Ford!

I am a guy who love to read car reviews and collect them. Thinking about getting new Ford car and your review is just making my mind. Thanks