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| 2018 Ford Fusion Sport |
Built in Hermosillo, Mexico, the family-friendly Fusion competes very successfully against a long list of popular, high-quality, high-value mid-size sedans including the Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Toyota Camry, Hyundai Sonata, Mazda6 and Chevrolet Malibu.
Choice of Five Trim Levels
The non-hybrid 2018 Fusion is available in five trim levels: S, SE, Titanium, Sport and Platinum. The S and SE models come standard with a 175-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, but the SE is also offered with a pair of turbocharged four-cylinders: a thriftier 181-hp 1.5-liter and a sportier 231-hp 2.0-liter. The 2.0 comes standard on the Titanium and Platinum. With a 325-hp 2.7-liter twin-turbo V6 and standard all-wheel drive, the Fusion Sport is the muscle car of the bunch. It’s also the most powerful sedan in its class.
Base prices start at $22,995 including $875 for destination and top out at $37,790. The base price of our tested Fusion Sport was $34,645 but extra cost options drove its bottom line up to (gulp) $42,215. All-wheel drive is also available for an additional $2,000 on 2.0-liter Fusions, and all models get a six-speed automatic transmission.
Two Hybrid Models
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| 2018 Ford Fusion Hybrid |
Ford also offers the midsize Fusion sedan as a hybrid and a plug-in hybrid, called the Fusion Energi. Both are front-wheel drive. The Fusion Hybrid is powered by the 2.0-liter non-turbocharged four-cylinder engine, a small electric motor, a Lithium-ion battery pack and a CVT automatic transmission.
Four trim levels are available: S, SE, Titanium and Platinum, with base prices ranging from $26,190 to $38,150. It’s one of a handful of hybrids in this class, but its 43 mpg city and 41 mpg highway lags behind its competition. The Fusion Energi, meanwhile, can be plugged in to charge its larger battery pack, enabling it to be driven 22 miles on electric power alone.
Family-Friendly Sedan
Preteens liked our test vehicle’s rear air conditioning vents and 110-volt outlet, though there’s no onboard Wi-Fi, which is standard in the Chevy Malibu. Parents with young children will appreciate the 2018 Fusion’s easy-to-reach LATCH connectors in the outboard seats and easily accessed upper tether anchors. The Fusion also did well in crash-testing, though a few competitors performed better still.
Unfortunately, the Fusion’s fuel economy is below average in its class —mostly due to its six-speed automatic transmission, which has fewer ratios to choose from than the leading competitors. With the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, the Fusion is rated 21 mpg city and 32 mpg highway. Choose the more powerful 2.0-liter turbo and the numbers slip to 21 mpg city and 31 mpg highway. The 1.5-liter turbo is the most efficient non-hybrid Fusion, with ratings of 23 mpg city and 34 mpg highway. The Fusion Sport is the most powerful sedan in its class, but it’s also the thirstiest, rated 17 mpg city and 26 mpg highway; I averaged 19 mpg during a week of mixed driving around Los Angeles.
Spacious, High-Quality Interior
The 2018 Ford Fusion seats five easily, though some of its competitors — like the Honda Accord and Volkswagen Passat — offer more rear legroom. Forward visibility is excellent, although the new 2018 Accord is the class leader in this regard, with slender A-pillars and panoramic view. The heated and cooled leather-and-suede sport seats in our test vehicle were extremely comfortable and proved supportive on long drives.
The Fusion's interior is attractive and very well-appointed. Control placement is excellent, build quality is very high and all the knobs and switches function with precision. The rotary shifter, which is similar to the design used by Jaguar and Land Rover, is easy to use, and the knob is knurled so it feels good in your hand.
Generous Trunk and Storage
Storage inside the Fusion’s interior is extremely generous and thought out well. The two-tiered center console bin is massive, while another deep cubby and second large storage area are well ahead of the shifter. The door pockets are also sizable and offer slots for water bottles. The Fusion’s two front cupholders are large and have snazzy nighttime lighting, and they're deep and well placed so that tall drinks don’t interfere with any of the switchgear. The rear cupholders are part of a center fold-down armrest.
With 16 cubic feet of trunk space, the Fusion’s cargo volume is about average for its class. A 60/40 split folding rear seat is standard equipment to accommodate longer items.
Technologically advanced, but simple.
Ford's infotainment system has been continuously improved, and today’s Sync 3 version is the finest the company has ever offered. The system’s menus are easy to navigate, it’s quick to respond to your inputs and its available navigation system allows for pinch-to-zoom and other smartphone-like gestures. It’s also compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and its large 8-inch touchscreen is well placed. Sync 3 is optional on the Fusion SE and standard on pricier models.
Bluetooth is standard on every Fusion, as is a rearview camera, keyless entry, push-button start and Ford’s clever MyKey system, which allows parents to preprogram certain parameters and restrictions into one of the car's keys. MyKey can mute the radio until the seatbelt is buckled, chime if the vehicle passes a pre-determined speed and block some radio stations.
Standard and Optional Driver Aids
Further advanced technology is found in the Fusion's many active safety systems and driver aids. Our Sport was equipped with a lane-keeping system and a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert. Adaptive cruise control is standard on the Fusion Platinum, allowing the car to accelerate and stop itself based on surrounding traffic. That top-trim model also gets pre-collision assist with pedestrian detection, which warns of an impending collision and can apply the brakes for you if necessary. These systems are optional on the Fusion Sport.
Our Fusion Sport was also equipped with a $995 system that can basically park for you, steering the car as you operate the pedals.
Quick, Agile and Comfortable
With a 0-60 mph time of just 5.1 seconds, the 2018 Fusion Sport is fast. This is the only car in its class available with over 300 hp, and its acceleration is beyond any other mid-size family sedan. Heck, the Fusion Sport can easily outperform many German luxury sedans. The sport-tuned suspension and the Sport’s standard 19-inch wheel and tires and all-wheel drive also provide impressive handling. There’s an admirable amount of grip, and the Fusion is fun to toss into a curve or a set of switchbacks. The steering also provides plenty of feel, while its comfortable ride is quite a feat considering its agility.
Push the Sport button and the Fusion Sport gets even Sportier. It tightens the suspension, increases the sound of the engine inside the interior, stiffens the steering, improves throttle response, and reprograms the transmission to hold gears longer and to match revs on downshifts when you use the steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. Unfortunately, the tachometer on the instrument cluster is much too small to be useful during spirited driving.
Final Thoughts
Many buyers will be tempted to step up to the twin-turbo 2.7-liter V6 of the Fusion Sport. It's a great engine and its 325 horsepower can be intoxicating, but the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that’s available on most other trim levels is more than enough for most buyers. And it essentially matches the fuel economy of the much weaker 2.5-liter four. Also, before you buy, make sure the Fusion’s rear seat is large enough for your needs, as others in the class offer more backseat space.
Keeping those caveats in mind, the 2018 Ford Fusion is a desirable choice if you’re looking for a well-equipped family-friendly sedan. It’s comfortable, stylish and fun-to-drive, and it’s a favorite in the very competitive mid-size sedan category.
By Scott Oldham
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