2010 Ford Fusion Review

First Impressions

One of the best things to say about the 2010 Ford Fusion (view photos) is you don't have to look very hard to find numerous endorsements.

Motor Trend named it Car of the Year. The Ford Fusion Hybrid was awarded the North American Car of the Year Award at Detroit's North American International Auto Show. Consumer Reports surveyed the Fusion as holding down an 80 percent "definitely buy again" factor (the Hybrid version sits at highest). Ford recently announced Fusion sales are up 54 percent, breaking a new sales record.

Take a gander at the car yourself: A modern sporty design with the stance of a real contender. The beefy Fusion's weight is closer to muscle cars than other similar sedans. And sizable engine choices deliver agility and responsiveness.

It's comfy. It's tech-filled. It's a Ford homerun.

Pricing, Trims and Options

The mid-size, 4-door Fusion sedan offers the following series: S, SE and SEL. There are also Hybrid and Sport versions.

My SEL test drive was equipped with three optional packages: Driver's Vision, Moon & Tune and Reverse Sensing System. So for an extra $2,740, I got to see what's behind me, what's above and hear my music - all in much better form.

My model was charged $1,610 for having the larger 3.0-liter V6 engine (and that's not with AWD, which is available). Total vehicle price – for an upper-range Fusion, really, but not quite the king-of-the-mountain version - is $28,105.

Interior Features

In regards to the Fusion's new aggressive build, I was slightly concerned I might feel swallowed once seated. But between the fit-and-finish (leather-wrapped wheel, metal finish on knobs) and functionality (8-way power seats), I was snug with an excellent range of visibility.

There's more lighted buttons inside the Fusion than the Millennium Falcon. Ford could work on condensing this sea of functions.

I took a distinguished crowd (read: retirees) inside the 2010 Fusion to gauge their reaction. I had a 6-foot 5-inch senior sitting comfortably in the second thanks to the 37.1-inches of rear legroom – with a full house of five passengers, too. They ogled over the sizable trunk space. They loved the dual-zone climate control.

But of all features, the biggest hit was the Ambient Lighting. Press a button to change the interior floor and cup holder lighting from green to blue or red and beyond.

The latest version of SYNC, adaptive cruise control and My Key rounded out my Fusion's top interior features. An option that would make the Fusion even better during these winter months is the Power Code Remote Start System that quickly measures outside temperatures and automatically creates a comfortable heated or cool cabin atmosphere.

Safety, Quality and Reliability

A couple of Ford-created optional safety features include SYNC with 911 Assist and the Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with Cross Traffic Support. Like Mazda's system, you get fair warning of approaching cars through an illuminated image in your side mirrors, accompanied with an audio alert.

Additional standard safety features include:

• Side-curtain airbags
• Side-intrusion beams
• High-strength steel structure exterior
• AdvanceTrac ESC
• LATCH child safety system
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System

The front-wheel drive versions of the Fusion are noted for better reliability than the AWD.