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Ford was pretty quick to revamp the Fusion, its mid-size sedan. The update allowed Dearborn to position itself much better against the competition, and of course the consumer is the real winner here.

The Ford Fusion is a mix of American and European styling is a success.

For 2010, Ford decided to keep the profile of the first version, but the package is now decidedly more dynamic. The three wide, chrome slats give it an American feel, while the trapezoid on the lower bumper originates from the European department. The tail lights have been refreshed, but personally I think the old ones would have looked better on the current version. The Fusion should age fairly well in terms of style.

The interior is where the big changes were made, though. Completely redesigned and featuring better quality materials, it looks much better. However, the all-black colour scheme can be a little intimidating. The touch of red on the quality leather seating matches some of the colours of the ambient lighting come nightfall, lightening the mood somewhat.

Although the plastics are improved, some of them aren’t on par with the overall quality of the car. The steering wheel, at least in the Sport version, would look sharper if it dropped a spoke. The cabin isn’t as sporty as it could be, and this could easily have been remedied with a snappier steering wheel. Thankfully it features highly efficient shifting paddles that increase driving pleasure.

My tester was generously equipped, benefiting from leather upholstery, an enormous navigation screen, muted ambient lighting, the always-efficient SYNC system and all the usual features. But the driving position remains true to American tradition. Ditto comfort. It’s a far cry from the big Town Cars, but a little extra stiffness and support is always appreciated.

Well-chosen engine
Ford endowed the Sport version with its 3.5-litre, 263-hp V6 mill. While not fiendishly powerful, it’s well-suited to family-oriented, mid-size sedans. Acceleration is honest, and the engine does a good job in normal conditions. It’s the type of mill that you can’t find fault with. It proves just potent enough and produces enough torque (249 ft-lb) – yep, definitely a good engine.

The touch of red on the quality leather seating matches some of the colours of the ambient lighting come nightfall.
It has teamed up with a six-speed, automatic transmission. The gears are adequately space, and it’s well-suited to this type of car. Let’s just say that regardless of the Sport sobriquet, the Fusion emphasizes comfort rather than driving dynamics. Unfortunately, despite the lack of the former, the Fusion isn’t big on fuel efficiency either: I averaged 11.5 litres per 100 kilometres during my well-behaved road test. So if fuel efficiency is high on your list of priorities, the hybrid version just might work miracles for you.

On the other hand, I have to admit that the Fusion Sport calls on a very efficient all-wheel-drive system. With lots of traction, the Fusion Sport is one of the most logical choices for our temperamental winters.

Ford endowed the Sport version with its 3.5-litre, 263-hp V6 mill.

Despite a relatively heavy weight of 1,650 kg, handling is good. Again, the all-wheel drive plays a big part. Steering isn’t precise enough, a little loose in the middle, especially for a Sport version. This is a problem compared to the competition, especially the Japanese models.

The brakes are good for this type of car, but not extraordinary. The suspension isn’t stiff enough to fulfil its sporty claim, but seriously, there’s nothing wrong with being comfortable in a sporty car!

Competition
Ford is a newcomer in a very important and broad segment, one that nonetheless shrinks dramatically when you start considering all-wheel drive as a criterion: you’re left with the Subaru Legacy 3.0R Limited (from $36,995) and the Volkswagen Passat 4MOTION (around $40,000). If AWD isn’t a priority, you have to consider the big names at the very least: Chevrolet Malibu LTZ (from $31,795), Honda Accord EX-L V6 (from $35,390), Hyundai Sonata Limited V6 (from $31,495), Mazda6 GT-V6 (from $34,395), Nissan Altima 3.5 SE (from $29,998) and Toyota Camry SE V6 (from $31,350). The Ford Fusion Sport AWD starts at $35,299.

Conclusion
Ford has recently proved that it can produce very good cars, and the Fusion is one of them. Its mix of American and European styling is a success. It’s a family car designed for fans of the American automobile that might very well attract a few imported car enthusiasts, as it can definitely hold its own against foreign models. What’s more, Ford has reassuringly demonstrated that the reliability of its cars is clearly on the rise.
Photos: Bertrand Godin