2011 Ford Fusion Review and Prices

Styling: No styling changes are planned for the 2011 Ford Fusion. Part of Fusion’s sales surge might be attributed to the deft sheet metal revamp performed on the 2010 model. The new nose and tail, plus a more distinctive three-bar grille, enlivened styling that dated from this sedan’s model-year 2006 introduction. It’s a strong look, trading on square-cut lines to convey a sense of solidity. The dashboard was redone, as well, gaining softer-touch surfaces and “ice blue” instrument lighting. But the layout of the dashboard – of the entire interior, really -- remains unabashedly blocky in counterpoint to the trend to graceful, sweeping interior forms. The dashboard’s distinguishing feature is a sizeable central screen display for the available Sync and navigation systems. On 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid models, the instrument cluster is interactive, animated by Ford’s EcoGuide. This features real-time LCD graphics of hybrid power routing and battery strength. It can also depict a creeping vine that adds green leaves to reward fuel- and energy-efficient driving and subtracts them to punish inefficiency. Fusion comes in a single, four-door-sedan body style. Expect the 2011 lineup to carry over largely intact and ascend from base S, SE, and SEL, to Sport models, plus the Hybrid. The Mercury Milan is essentially a Fusion with slightly different appearance details. The Lincoln MKZ premium sedan also shares this basic engineering, but has its own styling touches and is not available with a four-cylinder engine or a hybrid powertrain.   

Mechanical: Even without an EcoBoost option, the 2011 Fusion offers what is arguably the widest variety of powertrain choices in the mid-priced, midsize class. This is another factor in Fusion’s popularity. The 2011 Fusion will be available with a four-cylinder engine, two V-6s, the gas-electric hybrid, three transmissions, and a choice of front- or all-wheel drive. Standard on S, SE, and SEL models is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that should retain its 175-horsepower rating and continue with a six-speed manual transmission or an optional six-speed automatic. Fusions with this base engine became more appealing performers for 2010 because the 2.5 replaced a 2.3-liter four-cylinder that had less power and lower fuel economy. The 2011 Fusion SE and SEL models will again be available with an optional 3.0-liter V-6. It should retain the 240-horsepower rating that’s made the middle-engine Fusion more competitive than its 221-horsepower predecessor. Returning at the top of the line will be the 2011 Fusion Sport, which came on line for 2010 and opened Fusion to a performance-enthusiast audience it had never before reached. The Sport has a 3.5-liter V-6 that should retain its 263-horsepower rating for 2011, plus tauter suspension tuning and 18-inch alloy wheels. The V-6s will again come only with the six-speed automatic transmission. All 2011 Fusions will come standard with front-wheel drive, which places the weight of the engine over the front tires and benefits traction in slippery conditions. All-wheel drive (AWD) should again be available on the 2011 Fusion SEL V-6 and Fusion Sport models. The system normally runs in front-wheel drive, but if sensors detect slip it automatically redistributes power front-to-rear as needed to restore traction. Fusion is one of only two cars available with AWD in the mid-priced, midsize class. AWD is standard on the Subaru Legacy and optional on the new Suzuki Kizashi, though the Kizashi is more of a compact-class car and comes only with a four-cylinder engine. The 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid will again pair the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor. Expect total horsepower to remain at 191. The Fusion Hybrid has front-wheel drive and can run on gas or electric power individually or in combination. It can drive on electricity alone up to 47 mph. The Hybrid system self-charges – no plug-in required – and works through a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which has a rheostat-like delivery of power rather than set gear ratios.    

Features: Ford will continue to position the 2011 Fusion as a high-tech leader in the class – a strategy that’s contributed to increased sales. Available on all but the base model is Ford’s Microsoft-developed Sync system of voice-activated navigation, communications, and entertainment connectivity. Displaying on the central dashboard screen and utilizing steering-wheel controls for many functions, the hard-drive-based Sync incorporates Bluetooth phone and audio streaming, USB iPod interface, 150 hours of music storage, and real-time traffic and weather mapping. Available options, depending on model, include a power moonroof, leather upholstery, heated front seats, a rearview camera, and Ford’s Blind Spot Information System with Cross Traffic Alert. This last uses radar to detect and warn of unseen objects in adjacent traffic lanes or to the rear and sides when backing from a parking space. Also offered is ambient interior lighting that can be adjusted to ice blue, purple, blue, orange, red, white, and green. Customization opportunities extend to the plastic appliqués on the central dashboard section: choices include dark-matte finishes, polished slate, brushed aluminum, and on Sport models, “Cherry Red” and “Blue Racer” that complement similarly two-toned leather-upholstery. Every 2011 Ford Fusion will have four-wheel disc brakes with antilock control to improve control in panic stops, traction control to aid grip when starting on slick surfaces, and Ford’s AdvanceTrac antiskid system to mitigate sideways slides. Ford’s Easy Fuel innovation that eliminates the gas-filler cap also is standard, as is a manual tilt/telescope steering wheel.