We spend a week in the all wheel drive version of the top shelf 2014 Ford Fusion Titanium
Pros:
Ride and handling
Styling
Interior fit and finish
Cons:
Snug rear seating
Not the cheapest tool in the shed
AWD fuel economy penalty
The Fusion lineup
Our 2014 Fusion tester was the third of the second-generation models we've had the good fortune to evaluate. Like the two previous examples – a 2013 SE equipped with six-speed manual transmission and 1.6-liter EcoBoost four and a 2013 Energi plug-in hybrid – the 2014 Fusion Titanium AWD is further testament to the goodness of the Blue Oval's midsize sedan.
In truth, I can think of no other manufacturer that offers the breadth and depth in this segment that Ford does.
Looking for a fuel efficient sedan with European style? Ford's got it. How about a hybrid? Ditto. Thinking of a sporty turbo with a manual? No problem.
Even more surprising, all these vehicles are not only built off the same platform, they're all different takes on same vehicle - the Fusion - which, not coincidentally, also bears a striking resemblance to the previous-generation European Ford Mondeo although both it and the new Mondeo (what it is called in Europe) are based on an all-new platform.
As a result, the differences between the current and previous-generation Fusions are truly dramatic. Gone is the plain vanilla cookie-cutter look of old, replaced by a slick and sophisticated style that looks quite at home alongside the best the Germans have to offer, thank you very much (do I hear an "A" – how about a "B"?).
The results, both aesthetically and dynamically, speak for themselves. Not only is the new Fusion hands-down the slickest-looking vehicle in its class, it's also, in my own humble opinion, the best-handling of any of the current group of affordable midsize sedans. Seriously.
Exterior
The Fusion also bears a strong familial resemblance to vehicles ranging from the small Fiesta to the Escape compact CUV which is hardly accidental as the "One Ford" plan now places styling responsibilities for all A, B, C and CD-platform-based vehicles with Ford of Europe's design studio.
J Mays, group vice president, Design, and chief creative officer, describes their design philosophy this way: "To me, the most important reason people buy a car is the way it looks. You don't want customers to justify a car based on logic; you want them to justify the purchase based on emotion. It's a bit like falling in love with a spouse. You don't fall in love for practical reasons. You fall in love for emotional reasons. The practical things have to be there – but that's just establishing trust, the price of entry."
According to Ford, five elements provided direction for the design team. Silhouette innovation emphasizes a sleek profile setting it apart from other current "three box" midsize sedans. Perceived efficiency is created with thin roof pillars and character lines that sweep to the rear. Refined surface language calls for a well-executed design that requires no add-ons or visual clutter. Technical graphics deals with functional design elements (narrow headlamp enclosures, LED taillamps) that imply an enhanced technological capability, while its new face signals a further evolution of Ford's global design language.
As I have stated previously, the result of all this is a fresh new look that stands out in what has become a very crowded field of "me, too" midsize sedans.
Interior
Inside, the cabin not only feels airy there's plenty of leg and head room for those in the front seats – a result of Ford moving the instrument panel further toward the windshield. The nicely-bolstered leather-covered heated front seats in our tester, according to Ford, sport thinner, lighter frames. On our Titanium model both the driver's and passenger's seats featured electric adjustments – two for the passenger and ten for the driver.
As in other Fusions, outward visibility in the Titanium model is generally excellent, although a relatively high beltline coupled with a smallish rear window and chunky C-pillars making backing up and maneuvering in tight spaces something of a challenge.
Somewhat offsetting that issue and a handy feature are the inset blind zone spotter mirrors built into the rear view mirrors – a welcome addition in both urban and highway settings.
Interior fit and finish is generally excellent and seems to be improving with no apparent gaps in the center console trim of our tester. The dashboard has a clean modern look and is composed of soft touch surfaces accented by silver metal and piano black trim. Instrumentation gauges are clearly marked and backlit.
Although the Titanium came with the MyFord Touch infotainment system, improvements have been made to it and it's much better, although I still prefer the simpler "MyFord" system that also includes Bluetooth connectivity and voice-activated controls for phone and entertainment features.
The leather-wrapped steering wheel had a substantial feel to it with just the right amount of grip. It tilts and telescopes, making it easy to find a comfortable driving position while it also features redundant controls for the information center, infotainment system, Bluetooth phone and cruise control functions.
All controls are logically placed and are within easy reach of the driver. Two features, in particular, that I appreciated were the touch-sensitive overhead reading lights as well as the handy electronic parking brake tab located on the center console next to the driver's seat.
The large rear doors make ingress and egress easy and there's plenty of room in the rear seat for two adults although it can get crowded with three.
Equipment
Our White Platinum metallic tri-coat Titanium model came very well equipped even without any of the extras. Aside from the aforementioned goodies, power windows (one-touch up-down for driver and passenger), mirrors and door locks with keyless entry keypad, tinted glass, automatic headlamps, electric power steering and projector beam headlamps are all standard.
In addition to those niceties, all Titanium models get, among other things, a leather interior, 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine, a proximity key with push-button start, a 12-speaker Sony audio system, 6-speed automatic transmission, reverse sensing system and rear view camera.
Our tester also came with the optional navigation system, 19-inch alloy wheels and a driver assist package that includes Ford's lane keeping system and rear cross-traffic alert.
On the road
On the road the Fusion in AWD guise feels even more solid and well-planted than its FWD counterparts. Its MacPherson strut front and fully independent multilink rear suspension does a great job of damping road imperfections while telegraphing to the driver exactly where it is. The AWD system, in particular, makes it easier to carve through corners, although the downside is that it also causes acceleration times to suffer.
As mentioned previously, the Titanium is only available with a single powertrain option. In this case were talking about a 2.0-liter turbocharged, direct injection, inline four producing 240 horsepower and 270 lb.-ft. of torque. It's mated to a six-speed manumatic transmission that also features steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.
With a sedan that handles this well, fuel economy might even be considered an afterthought. But even so, this combination is rated by the EPA at 22 mpg city/31 mpg highway and 25 mpg combined in its all-wheel-drive configuration. Over the course of a week of aggressive suburban driving my observed fuel economy was 19.7 miles per gallon – nearly 5 mpg less than the 1.6-liter 6-speed manually-equipped SE I tested earlier this year.
Pricing
2014 non-hybrid Ford Fusion prices, including a $795 destination charge, start with a base MSRP of $22,695 for an S model and can top out at close to $40,000 for a fully-optioned AWD Titanium version.
Our Titanium tester had a base price of $32,200 with its white platinum metallic tri-coat paint job costing an additional $495. Taking on the navigation system ($795), 19-inch "H"-spoke wheels ($695) and driver assist package ($1,000) brought it to a total suggested retail price, including destination, of $35,980.
The Bottom Line
So what's the bottom line to all this?
Ford's new Fusion isn't perfect. I still have some minor gripes especially concerning the Titanium model. Like all other Fusions it has a smallish back seat, visibility out the back isn't that great and, when mildly optioned and in AWD guise it stickers at nearly 36 large.
But the fact remains that not only is it a knockout in the styling department, it's a very entertaining vehicle to drive and, given its overall excellence, it, along with the rest of the lineup, raises the bar in the midsize sedan segment.
For consumers looking for a quiet, solid midsize sedan with excellent driving dynamics in just about every engine and powertrain configuration, Ford is serving notice that your ship has come in.
