Driven: 2010 Fusion SEL V6

[GoCougs]

They're engineered to be exactly what the average consumer wants them to be.

Accord, Altima, Camry, Malibu, Fusion? Average weight of 3,400 lbs, 0-60 times in the 6 sec range (for V6 models), and a $25k base MSRP?

Tuets has his compass off balance. There's nothing under engineered about any of them.

[Northlands]

Bumpage

I've been eyeballing a "new" 2009 Fusion sitting on a couple of Ford lots here. I need something larger than the civic I'm in, but not by much. Ford seems to be handing out cars to people here with big discounts. The one I was looking at was an SEL AWD. It's just under 25k Canadian bucks. ( $6500 "delivery allowance discount ). They'd go even lower if I just buy the thing outright cash.

Anyone drive this model year's AWD? I test drove the non AWD. Not too exciting.. but I'm looking at the $$ here in this case. Also.. if so.. anyone drive the AWD in winter conditions?

[the Teuton]

Accord, Altima, Camry, Malibu, Fusion? Average weight of 3,400 lbs, 0-60 times in the 6 sec range (for V6 models), and a $25k base MSRP?

Tuets has his compass off balance. There's nothing under engineered about any of them.

After now having driven the Altima, Malibu, and Passat, I will agree with you.  They're all incredibly refined, pretty kick ass cars for the average family guy who wants some fun.

None of them are under-engineered.  I think they all weigh too much, and GM screwed the pooch with poor material choices on the interior, but they're all really nice cars for the most part.  Too big for my tastes, though.

That being said, until I drive a new Fusion, Accord, Camry, or new Mazda6 (it's a giant fugbox!), my favorite car in the class is the Altima right now.

[565]

So why is it that Ford knows how to make a proper sedan again and the other 1.5 can't really keep up at the moment?  The Malibu is starting to look like an afterthought already.

Honestly every time I hear about a new domestic mainstreamer that's supposed to beat the Japanese strangle hold over the market, I just yawn.  Honestly that's what they said about all 3 recent generations of Malibu, what they said of the last Fusion, etc etc.  The domestics need to realize in order to beat the Japanese, they can't just make a car that's almost as good, or nearly as good, and sell it for around the same money.  They need to make a product that crushes the competition in value beyond a shadow of a doubt.  If the public has the choice between an established Accord or Camry or a Fusion that is nearly just as good, the Fusion will get left behind.

Honestly looking at the comparo reviews, this new Fusion that everyone's making a big deal about is just the same way.  It's always, "it's almost as good as the Japanese benchmark."

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/comparison_test/sedans/2010_ford_fusion_vs_mazda_6_honda_accord_comparison_test

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/112_0907_ford_fusion_honda_accord_comparison/index.html

Once again it's the same story.  Wow it *almost* beats the Accord, but it ultimately doesn't get the 1st place ribbon. The only time I've seen a Fusion win, was the hybrid version.  So it's the same old story.  Close but no cigar.  The Camcord reign will no doubt continue, and the Fusion's hype will fade in a couple years just like that of the new Malibu, and the last Fusion.

[the Teuton]

Very well put.

After getting to tinker with the Malibu, I'd say that the car isn't significantly worse.  It isn't.  It's a really good car in most respects.

It loses in the details.  There are exposed screws, rough cut plastics, and cheaper materials in places where there shouldn't be (e.g. the places you touch normally). 

The car is a very solid piece.  It's quiet, refined, and fun.  But the details just ruin it.

[ifcar]

I prefer the Fusion to the Accord even without considering cost, but I certainly agree with your general point -- it's not the blow-me-away sort of car it would need to be to really win high numbers of conquests from the Japanese big three.

[SVT666]

I haven't driven the new Accord, but I have driven the current Camry, and the Fusion is head and shoulders better then any other mainstream sedan I've driven.  I think the AWD system is the same Haldex unit that's in our Freestyle, and it's seamless.

[CALL_911]

You should probably drive a Passat.

[the Teuton]

You should probably drive a Passat.

Would you refuse to communicate with me further if I told you that while I think the Passat has the best interior of any midsize sedan I've driven, it's not my favorite?

Because it isn't.  I like the 6 and the Altima more.

But the Passat nips the CTS for interior quality.  It's really good, sans the creaking plastic on the door handles.

[TBR]

I just wish they would offer the regular Passat with the same trim levels they offer the CC in, I much prefer the regular sedan.

[CALL_911]

Would you refuse to communicate with me further if I told you that while I think the Passat has the best interior of any midsize sedan I've driven, it's not my favorite?

Because it isn't.  I like the 6 and the Altima more.

But the Passat nips the CTS for interior quality.  It's really good, sans the creaking plastic on the door handles.

Well, since I haven't driven anything in the segment except for the Camry (and maybe the Accord if you count the TL and TSX), I'd have to drive them to disagree. Mag racing, yeah, I don't think I'd agree.

Besides, I like the 2.0T more than almost any of the other engines in the class.

[the Teuton]

I just wish they would offer the regular Passat with the same trim levels they offer the CC in, I much prefer the regular sedan.

What's the difference?

[TBR]

What's the difference?

The regular Passat looks better imho.

[the Teuton]

The regular Passat looks better imho.

I disagree.  Any difference with options packages?

Rant:  I just don't really like the steering feel at all in the Passat.  It's too heavy in parking lots and too light on the road.  The pedals are a little finicky, too.  Otherwise, it's like a vault.

[TBR]

I disagree.  Any difference with options packages?

Rant:  I just don't really like the steering feel at all in the Passat.  It's too heavy in parking lots and too light on the road.  The pedals are a little finicky, too.  Otherwise, it's like a vault.

The sedan doesn't have any. You can only get it with the 2.0T/6AT combo. It does come pretty well equipped, but I don't think I would buy a leatherette equipped vehicle.

[the Teuton]

Wait, cloth isn't available anymore?

Is that why none of the cars have cloth?  Things are suddenly a lot clearer.

I always liked VW cloth materials.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Cloth sucks. Leather or leatherette is the only way to go.

[TBR]

Wait, cloth isn't available anymore?

Is that why none of the cars have cloth?  Things are suddenly a lot clearer.

I always liked VW cloth materials.

On older cars they used mouse fur.

The plaid cloth that the GTI uses is most excellent though. Probably the only car that I would take cloth in over leather.

[the Teuton]

The Bug has the same crap on its seats now, too!

[the Teuton]

At least VDub isn't trying to sell it as something it isn't like BMW.

[SVT666]

You should probably drive a Passat.

I've never driven it.  I'm not sure, but it's a lot smaller is it not?

[CALL_911]

I've never driven it.  I'm not sure, but it's a lot smaller is it not?

I wouldn't imagine so...

[the Teuton]

The Passat is "normal" size by today's standards.  It's pretty big.

[2o6]

The regular Passat looks better imho.

I agree. Also, the CC only seats four.

The Passat is "normal" size by today's standards.  It's pretty big.

You say it like it's a bad thing.

[the Teuton]

Today I drove the 2010 Fusion SEL V6 with 6 speed automatic.  I don't have a lot of time to write a detailed report, so I'm doing it in Pros and Cons.

Pros:

1. Steering Responsiveness
2. Steering Accuracy
3. Steering Feel
4. Power
5. Acceleration
6. Sporty handling
7. Cornering
8. Seats
9. Ride
10. NVH
11. Back seat space
12. Biggest trunk I've ever seen
13. Instrument pod is so cool it's......cool
14. Stereo
15. Switchgear
16. Driving position
17. Exterior Styling
18. Interior Styling
19. Interior materials
20. Manumatic shifting is quick
21. Grille is far less imposing in the metal then in pictures.

Cons:
1. Dash should be a one piece.
2. Ummmmmm...that's it.

Verdict:
This is far and away the best driving sedan from a mainstream manufacturer that I've ever driven.  It's better then the G8, Malibu, Accord, Camry, 300, Charger, last generation Mazda 6, and Altima.  I'm blown away.  I have read that it's good, but I didn't expect this good.

I finally got to drive the I4 SE today.

Here's my assessment:

The back seat is a bit lower than I expected it.  I didn't like that.  Sure, it has a lot of space, but I want my thighs on the seat bottom -- not up in the air above the seat.

Under the hood, it's a cobbled mess, and it's terrible.  The reason I say that it's terrible is mostly because because of the prop rod.  The Sonata, as well as many other I4 competitors have hydraulic props.  The Fusion not only doesn't have that, but the holder is weirdly placed, making it hard to get the rod secured when you're putting the hood down, the hood (relatively speaking) is very heavy, and the prop rod doesn't even have a piece of foam for your hand on it.  When the sun is beating on your car, as well as it getting over 200 degrees under the hood, that rod gets hot as hell.

Otherwise, the only cheap bits I found in the interior were the center compartment lid on the top of the dash and the shifter handle.  I was a little surprised it didn't have a manumatic function, leaving it and the Malibu as the only two midsize sedans I've driven without them.  Hmmm....

Otherwise, it was like a vault.  The car was quieter and more stable than most of the lux cars I've driven.  It's too isolated from the outside world for my tastes, and the 2-3 shift in the transmission feels like it's slipping a little.  The gauges are cool-looking, but it's impossible to see them on a bright day.  They're completely useless from the glare.  Otherwise, it's an excellent car.  Color me impressed.  It doesn't do anything badly really.  It's a really nice, taut car.

[SVT666]

I finally got to drive the I4 SE today.

Here's my assessment:

The back seat is a bit lower than I expected it.  I didn't like that.  Sure, it has a lot of space, but I want my thighs on the seat bottom -- not up in the air above the seat.

Back seats in midsize sedans are meant for kids though, and since I or you would probably never ride back there, does it really matter?

Under the hood, it's a cobbled mess, and it's terrible.  The reason I say that it's terrible is mostly because because of the prop rod.  The Sonata, as well as many other I4 competitors have hydraulic props.  The Fusion not only doesn't have that, but the holder is weirdly placed, making it hard to get the rod secured when you're putting the hood down, the hood (relatively speaking) is very heavy, and the prop rod doesn't even have a piece of foam for your hand on it.  When the sun is beating on your car, as well as it getting over 200 degrees under the hood, that rod gets hot as hell.

Since when?  I've never had a car with hydraulic lifts on the hood and I've never burned my hand on the prop rod.

Otherwise, the only cheap bits I found in the interior were the center compartment lid on the top of the dash and the shifter handle.  I was a little surprised it didn't have a manumatic function, leaving it and the Malibu as the only two midsize sedans I've driven without them.  Hmmm....

The V6 has manumatic shifting.

Otherwise, it was like a vault.  The car was quieter and more stable than most of the lux cars I've driven.  It's too isolated from the outside world for my tastes, and the 2-3 shift in the transmission feels like it's slipping a little.  The gauges are cool-looking, but it's impossible to see them on a bright day.  They're completely useless from the glare.  Otherwise, it's an excellent car.  Color me impressed.  It doesn't do anything badly really.  It's a really nice, taut car.

I drove one with a 6 speed manual, and you don't feel quite so isolated, but since the auto will be in 95% of the cars and will be driven by people who want to be isolated, then I think Ford got it right.

[Cookie Monster]

Back seats in midsize sedans are meant for kids though, and since I or you would probably never ride back there, does it really matter?

Yes, it does matter when other cars are better.

[the Teuton]

Back seats in midsize sedans are meant for kids though, and since I or you would probably never ride back there, does it really matter?

The Sonata, Passat, and Camry have higher rear seats, making them more comfortable for passengers with real legs.  It wasn't terrible.  It wasn't quite as low as the Malibu's.  But it's worth mentioning that both recent Fords in the fam -- my brothers' Contour and Taurus -- both had taller seat bottoms, and even though the Contour had no leg room, it didn't need it as much, either.

I just expected a little better.

Since when?  I've never had a car with hydraulic lifts on the hood and I've never burned my hand on the prop rod.

The Sonata and Passat both have hydraulic lifts on their I4 models.  My car has a little foam handle on the rod to make sure you don't touch the hot rod.  And yes, after shuttling an old lady around today in 85-degree weather and then having to open the hood shortly thereafter, I can say the rod was really hot to the touch.  They could have thought it out better.

The V6 has manumatic shifting.

Speaking that neither the I4 Camry nor Malibu have a manumatic, I guess I can let it slide.  But just about everything else in the class does.

I drove one with a 6 speed manual, and you don't feel quite so isolated, but since the auto will be in 95% of the cars and will be driven by people who want to be isolated, then I think Ford got it right.

I think you're right.
[/quote]

[SVT666]

The Sonata and Passat both have hydraulic lifts on their I4 models.  My car has a little foam handle on the rod to make sure you don't touch the hot rod.  And yes, after shuttling an old lady around today in 85-degree weather and then having to open the hood shortly thereafter, I can say the rod was really hot to the touch.  They could have thought it out better.

We will have to agree to disagree.  I've never had a problem with hot prop rods.  Never.

[ifcar]

A bigger problem is if those struts wear out and you have no backup way to hold up the hood.