The Ford Fusion is Motor Trend magazine's car of the year

[Byteme]

I've never paid much attention to MT COTY, but this selection can't hurt Ford.

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On 2:03 pm EST, Tuesday November 17, 2009
       
DETROIT (AP) -- The Ford Fusion is Motor Trend magazine's car of the year.

The 2010 Fusion beat out 22 competitors, including the redesigned Toyota Prius, the BMW 7-Series and the Chevrolet Camaro.

Motor Trend says the mid-size Fusion offers good performance, comfort and fuel-efficiency. It praised Ford Motor Co. for offering several versions of the Fusion, including a fuel-efficient hybrid and a sporty version with a V-6 engine.

The magazine chooses the car of the year after extensive road testing. To compete, cars had to be new or significantly upgraded for the 2010 model year.

[TBR]

I like the Fusion, but this is one of most worthless awards in motoring.

[SVT666]

Go Ford!

I love the new Fusion.  I've driven both the V6 SEL and the 4 banger with the 6 speed manual, and I was very impressed by both.  It's the best mainstream sedan I've ever driven.

[CALL_911]

I like the Fusion, but this is one of most worthless awards in motoring.

Agreed.

[Nethead]

BlowCougs:  The article that initiated this thread is a work of fiction.  Motor Trend, magazines, the Car of the Year award, the Fusion, Ford Motor Company, fuel-efficient hybrids, and V-6s are products of the author's imagination and are not intended to represent any person, object, or organization past, present, or future.  Events depicted here did not happen.  Any resemblance to real persons, places, or things is entirely coincidental and do not represent the opinions of the management.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled programming.

[GoCougs]

LOL - to say this award is worthless doesn't take it near far enough. I don't necessarily believe the conspiracy that automakers buy the award, but the simple fact that only all-new vehicles qualitfy indeed makes this the most worthless award in all of automobiledom.

It's a laughable double fail in this particular instance as the Fusion is not an all-new car - it's six freakin' years old. Besides, the Accord is the better car and most everyone knows it.

[ifcar]

LOL - to say this award is worthless doesn't take it near far enough. I don't necessarily believe the conspiracy that automakers buy the award, but the simple fact that only all-new vehicles qualitfy indeed makes this the most worthless award in all of automobiledom.

Is there any Car of the Year award that's open to older models? The only one I know of that's close-ish is C/D's 10Best.

It's a laughable double fail in this particular instance as the Fusion is not an all-new car - it's six freakin' years old. Besides, the Accord is the better car and most everyone knows it.

Nah, the Fusion is better. It's quieter, it's more fuel-efficient, it did better in crash tests, it costs a heck of a lot less, and it even has higher reliability ratings.

The Accord's advantages are a bit more steering feel and better front and rear seats, but I wouldn't give it the win for those.

[FoMoJo]

Finally they made a good choice .

[GoCougs]

Is there any Car of the Year award that's open to older models? The only one I know of that's close-ish is C/D's 10Best.

I'm not sure, I just know that this award is fail solely because of that reason.

Nah, the Fusion is better. It's quieter, it's more fuel-efficient, it did better in crash tests, it costs a heck of a lot less, and it even has higher reliability ratings.

The Accord's advantages are a bit more steering feel and better front and rear seats, but I wouldn't give it the win for those.

Nah, the Fusion is better than it was but it's a second tier vehicle. I have the sneaking suspicion that the double-speak hullabaloo about the hybrid model is what pushed it over the edge; oh, that and every other car in its class (Accord, Malibu, Aura, Altima) wasn't in the running as they're not not 'all-new.'

[ifcar]

I'm not sure, I just know that this award is fail solely because of that reason.

Nah, the Fusion is better than it was but it's a second tier vehicle. I have the sneaking suspicion that the double-speak hullabaloo about the hybrid model is what pushed it over the edge; oh, that and every other car in its class (Accord, Malibu, Aura, Altima) wasn't in the running as they're not not 'all-new.'

I'm sure the hybrid was a big part of the reason it won. MT loves hybrids -- it factored into their 2004, 2006, and 2007 selections.

However, the regular Fusions are also strong.

[Vinsanity]

Besides, the Accord is the better car and most everyone knows it.

Wow, you're totally turning into an Accord troll right before our eyes. How amusing.

That said, I'm kinda impressed with what Ford managed to do with a design that was largely carried over from 2006. Their mild redesigns always looked a little boring to me, but at least it seems that they're rying to make the most out of every small tweak.

I think it would've been better for the award to go to the Camaro, if only for the bigger impact that car made. I guess MT's compensating for giving the award to a $70k sports car last year.

[SVT666]

I'm not sure, I just know that this award is fail solely because of that reason.

It fails in your eyes because it went to a Ford.  More Ford hating from Cougs.  Why am I not surprised. 

Nah, the Fusion is better than it was but it's a second tier vehicle. I have the sneaking suspicion that the double-speak hullabaloo about the hybrid model is what pushed it over the edge; oh, that and every other car in its class (Accord, Malibu, Aura, Altima) wasn't in the running as they're not not 'all-new.'

Ford hating at it's best.  If you think the Fusion is a second tier vehicle then you are even more full of shit then you are in the EcoBoost thread.  I've driven two variations of the Fusion and I've driven an Accord EX-L.  The Fusion SEL I drove was slightly better then the Accord in almost every way.  The Accord is a great car, but it's been beat by the Fusion.  How did the Fusion you drove compare to the Accord?  Oh right, you've never driven the new Fusion.

[SVT666]

Wow, you're totally turning into an Accord troll right before our eyes. How amusing.

That said, I'm kinda impressed with what Ford managed to do with a design that was largely carried over from 2006. Their mild redesigns always looked a little boring to me, but at least it seems that they're rying to make the most out of every small tweak.

I think it would've been better for the award to go to the Camaro, if only for the bigger impact that car made. I guess MT's compensating for giving the award to a $70k sports car last year.

I'm not arguing, I'm just wondering how you figure the Camaro made a bigger impact? 

[GoCougs]

Wow, you're totally turning into an Accord troll right before our eyes. How amusing.

That said, I'm kinda impressed with what Ford managed to do with a design that was largely carried over from 2006. Their mild redesigns always looked a little boring to me, but at least it seems that they're rying to make the most out of every small tweak.

I think it would've been better for the award to go to the Camaro, if only for the bigger impact that car made. I guess MT's compensating for giving the award to a $70k sports car last year.

This is the most worthless post in the thread.

[ifcar]

I'm not arguing, I'm just wondering how you figure the Camaro made a bigger impact? 

It has so far maintained a high, steady sales pace at high transaction prices. It's one of GM's best-selling products. That's a big impact.

[Vinsanity]

I'm not arguing, I'm just wondering how you figure the Camaro made a bigger impact?  

Iconic muscle car returns after a 7-year hiatus that interrupted 35 continuous years of production. If this happened with the Mustang, no one would have to explain the magnitude of the impact.

And that's on top of the rebirth of GM that the car is supposed to symbolize.

[GoCougs]

But yes, the Camaro should've won the award, or in the least was far more befitting of it than the Fusion.

[TBR]

What is your basis for saying the Accord is better than the Fusion? The badge? Just asking as the one person on here who as almost certainly driven both seems pretty confident that the Ford is the better car.

[Vinsanity]

This is the most worthless post in the thread.

no, THIS is the most worthless post in the thread.

[Byteme]

LOL - to say this award is worthless doesn't take it near far enough. I don't necessarily believe the conspiracy that automakers buy the award, but the simple fact that only all-new vehicles qualitfy indeed makes this the most worthless award in all of automobiledom.

It's a laughable double fail in this particular instance as the Fusion is not an all-new car - it's six freakin' years old. Besides, the Accord is the better car and most everyone knows it.

So I guess the part of the article that stated "To compete, cars had to be new or significantly upgraded for the 2010 model year."  escaped your comprehension?

[GoCougs]

Let's be serious - M/T lists as one of its "critical" stats for vehicles tests "lb of CO₂ per mile."

[Payman]

MT's COTY award is probably the most recognized award out there. Why do you guys think it's such a farce? Because it goes to new or significantly improved models only? Yes, they've had some questionable picks over the years, but the Fusion is a great choice.

[Submariner]

 

[the Teuton]

What I don't like about the Fusion (I4 automatic):

-Low rear seat
-Steering weight feels a little unnatural
-Old fashion prop rod with no padding on it
-Engine bay looks sloppy compared to its Asian rivals...although it's more accessible
-Too isolated
-That's about it

Otherwise, it's a fantastic midsize car.

[CJ]

The way I see it, prop rods are just fine.  They're less likely to fail. 

[ifcar]

"-Low rear seat"

It's still one of the better midsize sedans in that area.

[TBR]

Let's be serious - M/T lists as one of its "critical" stats for vehicles tests "lb of CO₂ per mile."

I don't disagree that COTY is a BS award. But that doesn't mean that the Fusion isn't actually deserving of it.

[sparkplug]

Ford has an awesome car in the fusion. You can get with a base I4, a V6, in AWD, and a hybrid version. Sorry, no toilet bowl option.

[Nethead]

Let's be serious - M/T lists as one of its "critical" stats for vehicles tests "lb of CO₂ per mile."

BlowCougs is right!  Pounds of Carbon Dioxide are only important to those who breathe air, so who gives a fuck?  Right?

[GoCougs]

I don't disagree that COTY is a BS award. But that doesn't mean that the Fusion isn't actually deserving of it.

In a relative sense there are a number of cars more deserving IMO; Camaro, 370, Genesis Coupe, and Legacy being the short list IMO.