2017 FORD FUSION
More luxury and, what’s this? The first V-6 for this platform?
T he Ford Fusion sedan does a decent job of covering the bases, or at least it did, anyway. The 2017 version delivers more of the same, but it also stretches the Fusion’s luxury and performance envelope with two hot new models that will appeal to customers with more money.
In case you weren’t aware of it, or you’ve purchased nothing but pickup trucks or sport utes lately, there’s a lot more to most mid-size passenger cars than meets the eye. With few exceptions — the Nissan Altima and Volkswagen Passat being two of them — most can be ordered with a thrifty gasoline-electric hybrid option. Some can also be ordered as plug-in hybrids, which allow them to operate for a few kilometres on electric power alone. A couple more have all-wheeldrive as an option.
Only the Ford Fusion falls into the “all-of-the-above” category, and them some. With four available gasoline engines and two hybrid powertrains, the Fusion is the ultimate anyway-you-want-it family sedan.
The 2017 Fusion lineup — now in showrooms — doesn’t appear dramatically different than before. For example, changes to the front end are so subtle that hardly anyone will notice the slightly larger hexagonal grille and headlight and foglight pods.
Passenger-compartment updates are equally few, with the most obvious being the replacement of the shift lever with a trendy rotary knob. It doesn’t actually make shifting easier, but it does improve access to the centre control stack, stowage bin and standard electric parking brake. Also new is Ford’s latest “Sync 3” touchscreen with voice-activated controls for the audio and communications systems.
Carrying over from 2016 is the Fusion’s array of four-cylinder powerplants. The base engine is a 2.5-litre unit that puts out 175 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque. Optional is a turbocharged 1.5-litre fourcylinder (181/185) and a turbo 2.0 (245/280).
All-wheel-drive can be had with the non-turbo 2.5 and the turbo 2.0, but is not offered with the turbo 1.5. That engine’s fuel economy is actually the best of the bunch, with ratings of 10.0 l/100 km in the city and 7.0 on the highway.
Six-speed automatic transmissions are standard across the board.
The returning Fusion Hybrid and Energi plug-in hybrid models continue with their 2.0-litre gasoline engines that work in tandem with electric motors for a combined output of 188 horsepower. Ford has made minor adjustments to their regenerative-braking systems to make them less grabby.
The two new additional models are the Fusion Platinum and Fusion Sport trims. The Platinum is ranked ahead of the previous top-dog Titanium model and ventures into Lincoln MKZ territory with the turbo 2.0-litre engine, power sunroof, premium leather-covered seats (with climate control) and dashboard. There’s also a high-end 12-speaker Sony sound system and fancy 19-inch wheels (17-inchers are standard). The latest in crash-avoidance technology is also included in the Platinum’s $44,000 base price (base Fusions start at $25,400, including destination charges), but you’ll need to pay extra for AWD and for the rear seatbelts that have inflatable airbags built in.
Without question, the highlight model or 2017 is the Fusion Sport. It costs the same as the Platinum, but comes with standard all-wheel drive plus a turbocharged 2.7-litre V-6 (developed for the Mustang) that delivers 325 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque. The Sport’s sole transmission is a six-speed automatic, but at least Ford is including paddle shifters as part of the package.
There’s also a number of unique suspension components, notably larger front brakes, firmer springs and thicker anti-roll bar, and electronically controlled dampers that constantly adjust themselves according to road conditions. A mesh-grille (also fitted to the Platinum) helps set the Sport apart from the rest of the field.