We get our first chance to drive the hot new midsize sedan from the Blue Oval
Hot Fusion
Hold onto your hats my friends, the midsize segment has a new player and, take it from us: you're really going to like it.
If the looks of the 2013 Ford Fusion grille strike a familiar chord, you're not alone in thinking that. My son Alex who has more than a passing knowledge of automobiles took one look at it and remarked that "it looks like an Aston Martin" – not bad at all for a sedan with a sticker in the mid-twenties.
But it doesn't stop there. Nicely sculpted sides along with an acutely raked windshield and fastback styling lead to one of the best looking back ends we've seen since…. well, never mind.
The interior is equally handsome, looking as if it could've been lifted from any of a number of premium German brands. The front seats are extremely supportive with plenty of lateral support while the dashboard is covered in rich-looking materials and the entire interior is trimmed in brushed silver metallic.
Center stack controls are well laid out and, on our SE, were mainly comprised of old-fashioned buttons – a welcome relief from the many touch-sensitive, frustration-inducing controls common to more expensive infotainment systems. Sorry guys, but most manufacturers still don't have that whole "easy as an iPhone" gig down quite yet.
Instead of the top-end model, for entertainment purposes we chose the SE with Ford's 1.6-liter, direct injection, turbocharged 4-cylinder EcoBoost engine.
Constructed using an aluminum block and head, it features twin independent variable camshaft timing that produces 178 horsepower at 5,700 rpm and 184 lb.-ft. of torque at just 2,500 rpm.
Another reason for picking the SE with the 1.6-liter was that this engine was mated to a 6-speed manual transmission – an absolute must for anyone seeking true driver involvement.
Neither one, by the way, disappointed us. The engine runs smoothly to redline and the transmission is as good as anything out there – in any price range. Despite the fact that this combination is only available as a front driver, we felt little to no torque steer, even when tossing it through a corner. And yes, you can toss it.
The suspension does an admirable job of keeping the car planted both over rough surfaces and through corners while the steering, despite the fact that it's electric, provides decent feedback, even on-center.
The Bottom Line
So, the new 2013 Ford Fusion looks great, handles really well and even is available with a slick six-speed manual. What's the verdict?
We won't make a final judgment until we can get our hands on one for more seat time, but for now we can tell you this – the newest player in the midsize should have more than just the domestic manufacturers worried about it.
