2007 Ford Fusion Review

The Ford Fusion was introduced for 2006 as a midsize replacement for the Ford Taurus. Featuring a strong front grille, and a large wheelbase, the Fusion makes for a roomy, comfortable ride. With a number of added features for 2007, the Fusion is shaping up to be one of Ford’s most promising vehicles. It was nominated for “North American Car of the Year” in 2006.

The BuyingAdvice Team Says:

The Ford Fusion represents a giant leap forward for Ford. A huge improvement on the Taurus it replaced, its good initial reliability scores also show that Ford has dealt with some of its quality issues. Finally, Ford has a midsize car that deserves to be considered. But this is a highly competitive market dominated by imports, who are also constantly upgrading. The addition of standard side curtain airbags for 2007 addresses some of the safety concerns we had in 2006. The Fusion deserves a look but it is not a clear winner in a highly competitive sector.

What’s New For 2007:

The Fusion gets a number of updates for 2007. Both front and curtain side airbags now come standard, as does an alarm system and auxiliary input jack. The SE and SEL trims are now available with all-wheel drive. The SE trim now includes fog lights, and an MP3-capable six-disc CD player. The SEL now includes standard heated mirrors, compass, and automatic headlights. DVD navigation is available as an option on all but the base model.

What is the Predicted Reliability:

J.D. Power and Associates gives the Fusion three and a half out of five stars in initial reliability. The Fusion is too young for there to be any substantial long-term reliability data, but initial reports appear promising. Drivers’ chief complaint is the Fusion’s interior fit and finish. There have been no recalls on the Fusion. Expect average to above average reliability. Ford’s basic warranty lasts for three years or 36,000 miles.

Analysis Of Safety Ratings And Features:

The Fusion has some solid crash test scores. It received four out of five stars in frontal crash tests, and four and a half stars in side tests performed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the Fusion its highest “Good” score for both front and side impact tests, and a “Marginal” for rear impacts. Anti-lock brakes are optional on all models and traction control is only available on V6 models. Stability control is not available.

Pros and Cons:

Pros
+ Surprisingly good reliability for a Ford
+ Built-in alarm system
+ All-wheel drive available

Cons
– Lack of safety features
– Poor interior fit and finish
– Unknown long-term reliability

Head-To-Head Competition:

There are a number of suitable alternatives to the Fusion, at around the same price. The Hyundai Sonata, for instance, costs about the same as the Fusion, but has standard traction control and an antilock braking system (ABS). The Pontiac G6 is in the same price range and offers a standard automatic transmission. But the best buy is the Suzuki Aerio Premium, which costs about the same, but has standard anti-lock brakes, an automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive. However, the Fusion has an alarm system and a bit more cargo capacity.

What Others Are Saying:

“To summarize, the Fusion is an impressively strong product, meeting expectations in nearly every category and impressing on handling thanks to the all-wheel-drive option. In fact, it’s probably the best sedan the company has ever offered in North America. But is it better than a Camry or Accord? That’s hard to say. Stalwarts are stalwarts for a reason. Though it may not win out in every instance, the Fusion is a solid offering worthy of being considered alongside the heavies from Honda, Nissan, and, yes, even Toyota.” – BusinessWeek

“Ford hopes that America will love the Fusion as much as it loved the Taurus back in the 1980s. Well, the good news is that the Fusion is a much better car than the Taurus ever was, and it shows how far Ford’s quality control and manufacturing has come over the years. The bad news for Ford is the competition has also kept pace, and there are some very good front-wheel drive midsize sedans on the market that will give the Fusion some fits.” – About.com

“This is a happy looking, fun to drive, comfortable car that is priced right. During our drive, we even had people pull up next to us to give the car a thumbs up. Borrowing a gesture from a couple of noted movie critics, I’ll give this new Fusion two thumbs up.” – The Family Car

Read more about the 2007 Ford Fusion at the Ford manufacturer web site.