Oct 15, 2019, 09:06 AM by Mike Blake

The Ford Fusion was launched in 2005 for model-year 2006, and the dour-door mid-size continues in its second generation, which began in 2012 and included a hybrid version. Following a facelift update in 2017, Ford revised Fusion again for 2019 with new front and rear fascias, new Co-Pilot360™ suite of driver-assist safety technologies, an increase in the “electric-only” range in its Hybrid, tweaked cosmetics and expanded feature and trim availability.

Before we get to the 2019 model, Fusion should be here for a few more years. Ford initially planned to discontinue the Fusion along with its other sedans except Mustang, in North America in the next few years, as part of a plan to focus more on SUVs and trucks. However, as Fusion currently is the No. 21 best-selling vehicle in America (and No.7 top-selling sedan), the mid-size is expected to remain in production until 2021. However this year is the final year for the V-6–powered Fusion Sport.

Back to this year, the 2019 Fusion up-designs with new front and rear styling including a new grille featuring a five-bar design finished in chrome on S, SE and SEL models and new chrome mesh on Titanium. This sleeker Fusion also features a new trunk lid panel, fog lamps and LED taillamps, and two new wheel designs and fresh color palettes inside and out also debut for 2019 -- new colors include Agate Black, Velocity Blue and Rich Copper Metallic Tinted Clearcoat.

Big safety news is the debut of Ford Co-Pilot360™, which the Blue Oval calls, “the most advanced suite of standard driver-assist technologies.” The suite includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot information system, lane keeping system, rear backup camera and auto high-beam lighting that together, can help drivers operate with more confidence. And for green-minded customers, the 1.5-liter EcoBoost® engine is now standard on Fusion SE and higher trim levels, while the new Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid model is projected to have an EPA-estimated electric-only range of up to 25 miles – nearly 20 percent greater than the current model.
 
On the outside, in addition to its new front and rear lower fascias, the 2019 Fusion gets a new decklid panel, foglamps, LED rear tail laps, grille designs – chrome or mesh depending on trim – and wheel packages. At 191.8 inches long, 58.2 inches high on a 112.2-inch wheelbase, Fusion weighs in at 3472 lbs. 

Powering up with an international flavor, Ford Fusion’s four-cylinder engines come with a range of horsepower and fuel economy ratings. The 2.5-liter inline-4 is built in Mexico and produces 175hp and 170 lbs.-ft. of torque; the 1.5-liter EcoBoost inline-4 is built in Romania and is rated at 181hp and 185 lbs.-ft. of torque; and the 2.0-liter EcoBoost inline-4 is built in Spain and delivers 240hp and 270 lbs.-ft. of torque. Economically, the 2.5 gets 22mpg city/34mpg highway and 26 mpg combined for the automatic, while the automatic 1.5 is rated at 24/36/28. My test 2.0 automatic with a six-speed transmission was rated 22/city, 33/highway and 26 combined. My week of testing in mixed-use scenarios averaged 24.5mpg.  

I found acceleration to be decent for the niche with my test 2.0-turbo as my test Fusion completed a zero-to-60mph sprint in 7.2 seconds, en route to a 15.2-second quarter-mile. Highway passing and uphill trials were accomplished effortlessly and the cabin and engine were relatively quiet, thanks to a solidly performing paddle-shifted six-speed SelectShift Automatic™ transmission.

At mid- and low-speed, Fusion’s rack-and-pinion with electric power-assisted steering was aggressive in the corners with only slight understeer and yaw was negligible. Around town and at speed, steering is a bit vague, but the MacPherson strut independent front suspension stabilizer bar, working with an independent multilink rear with stabilizer bar smoothed out road irregularities and carried speed well, while the ABS brakes stopped confidently.

Interior dimensions are a bit tight up front with headroom of 39.2 inches and a confining 37.8 inches in row two. Front legroom is accommodating at 44.3 with 38.3 inches for rear passengers and shoulder room is 57.8 in row one and 56.9 in row two, and thick roof pillars inhibit sightlines.. 

The base 2019 Ford Fusion starts at $22,840, the hybrid model starts at $27,555, and the plug-in Fusion Energi starts at $34,595. My test Fusion came in five trims. The S was at the base price; the SE (my test ride) started at $24,120 with the 1.5-liter EcoBoost engine; SEL at $28,580; the luxury Titanium trim started at $34,340 and the V6 Sport at $40,015. The 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine added $2860 over the base and added the AWD configuration at no charge. My Oxford White (no-extra-charge) exterior paint was matched to an Ebony Black interior and added the Ford Co-Pilot Assist Package that included Adaptive cruise control with Stop-and-Go and voice-activated touchscreen navigation system with SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link® for $655; carpeted cargo mats added $75 and with destination charges of $995, the sticker-as-tested was $29,350, but Available Incentives of up to $3250 may still be available in your area, so check with your dealer, as some Fusions as tested could be priced at $26,100.

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Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>