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2011 Ford Fusion CT

The 2011 Ford Fusion offers five variants: S, SE, Sport, SEL and Hybrid. The hybrid model is roomy and comfortable, a cutting-edge mid-sized family sedan with world-class efficiency and satisfying performance. Ford used the previous Fusion to usher in its new three-bar grille, which has been a hit with buyers. The Ford Fusion got an exterior redesign in 2010, and for 2011 is carried over unchanged. In style and stance, the new Ford has a sporting, fun-to-drive spirit not normally associated with either Japanese or American workaday mid-sizers. The Fusion, rather, has the cues of a finely conceived European sedan gone global.

Ford Fusion Power and Drive

Power delivery in the Fusion Hybrid is smooth and progressive, exhibiting none of the artificially sudden throttle response of its Asian competitors. Similarly, the Fusion's handling and on-road dynamics are exemplary. Because its handling is alert and agile, more so in some respects than Accord's or Camry's, it will respond accurately to driver inputs in an emergency. Four-wheel disc brakes, made more effective with standard ABS, provide forceful, easily modulated stopping power. Driving the Fusion Hybrid is different from driving other Fusions. Its acceleration is right in the middle of adequate, as most hybrid buyers will want. As EcoGuide demonstrates, the secret of the Hybrid's excellent City mileage is that its electric motor powers the car in cruising mode up to 47 mph.

Design of the 2011 Ford Fusion

If a large grille and slicker headlights dominate the Fusion's face, the rear seems more subtle. It ditches the original Fusion's trendy clear-lens taillights for traditional red markers. The Fusion recently got an all new front-end design, beginning with a bold, three-bar chrome grille and racecar-like chrome-trimmed intakes at the bottom of the nose, has a muscular confidence that makes you take a second, more interested, look.

'11 Ford Fusion Cabin

The Fusion seats five, and there is a standard 60/40-split rear seat for carrying longer items. There are metallic accents on the center console, doors and steering wheel. The steering wheel features cruise-control buttons on the left side of the hub, and audio and media controls on the right. The driver's seat has good lateral support, decent lumbar support, and proper elevation at the cushion's front to inhibit submarining (slipping under the belts) in a head-on impact. Black pebble-grain texture on the dash give things a well-furnished glow. The center stack contained a straightforward nav system and Ford's SYNC, the comprehensive communication network that allows the driver to track storms, place hands-free calls, find a movie start time, locate the cheapest gas in your region, and more.

Ford Fusion Lineup for 2011

Fusion S comes standard with cloth upholstery, tilt/telescoping steering wheel, power locks, instrument cluster with message center, keyless entry and trunk release, AM/FM/CD/MP3 with four speakers, remote decklid release, capless fuel filler, trip computer, cruise control, speed-sensitive wipers. It comes with the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, six-speed manual transmission, 16-inch wheels, body-color bumpers and door handles, tinted glass, black power mirrors. A six-speed automatic is optional.

Fusion SE adds six-speaker audio, fog lamps, fold-flat passenger seat, body-color mirrors, six-way power driver seat, Sirius satellite radio, steering wheel audio and cruise controls, illuminated visor mirrors, and 17-inch wheels. A six-speed select-shift automatic is optional.

Fusion Sport adds 3.5-liter V6 engine, sport-tuned suspension, six-speed select-shift automatic, 18-inch wheels, chrome trim, rear spoiler, dual exhausts, unique side rocker moldings and front fascia, SYNC communication system, auto-dimming rearview, eight-way power driver seat, unique interior trim and center console applique.

Fusion SEL comes with the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and upgrades with leather heated seats, dual-zone temperature control, SYNC communications system, halogen headlamps, auto-dimming rearview, heated outside mirrors, eight-way power driver seats, six-way power passenger seat, leather shifter, leather steering wheel, keyless entry pad, six-speed select-shift automatic and 17-inch wheels. A 3.0-liter V6 flex-fuel engine with six-speed automatic transmission is optional.

Fusion Hybrid comes fitted with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine, Hybrid 275-volt sealed battery, permanent magnet-electric motor, regenerative braking system, LCD graphic instrument panel, reverse-sensing system, Hybrid badging, 17-inch wheels, E-CVT electronic constant-velocity automatic transmission.

Conclusions

Safety features that come standard on all Fusion models include dual front, side-impact, and side curtain airbags (with crash-severity sensing), seatbelt pretensioners, anti-lock brakes, and traction control, tire-pressure monitoring. Also available are a rearview camera, a reverse sensing system, and all-wheel drive.

Some information for this review was obtained from NewCarTestDrive.com