2006 Ford Fusion Test Drive
by
Jessica Howell
A
breath of fresh air in the mid-size sedan
category, Ford Fusion stakes its claim to
driveways across the nation with a bold and
distinguished stance.
First
impression: bold, impressive exterior for
the vehicle replacing Ford's legendary Taurus.
It's
long, athletic profile showcases clean lines
that lead from its short rear deck to a downward
sweeping hood. Ford's new three bar chrome
grille takes center stage on Fusion, lending
a bit of attitude to body styling and highlighting
multi-element trapezoidal projector-beam headlamps.
A high shoulder and chrome beltline add a
touch of edgy sophistication to the body.
After
checking out the much-anticipated, contemporary
exterior, I had high hopes for Fusion's 5-seat
cabin. Unfortunately, the basic-of-basics
interior lacks desired luster. While roomy
and comfortable, the dash and "Piano
Black" plastic trim that our tester was
outfitted in looked more gaudy than gorgeous.
The analog clock, while a nice idea, seems
out of place in Fusion's otherwise understated
interior.
Controls
on the steering wheel come aplenty - with
8 multi-functional controls total - a number
too high for many easily distracted drivers,
and a bit counter-productive to the idea of
making AM/FM tuning simpler.
No
complaints, however, on the six disc in-dash
CD player or heated seats, which quickly warmed
up - a very handy feature for Michigan's brutal
winter climates.
Our
test vehicle, coated in Dark Blue Pearl paint,
was a pretty sight in crowded parking lots.
It was a bit difficult using the remote keyless
entry which featured four tiny, oddly shaped
buttons that require more than a quick glance
to operate and wasn't exactly easy to hold.
Once
on the road, Fusion made up for it's minor
interior flaws with smooth handling, responsive
steering and a 3.0 Liter V6 engine (221-horsepower)
that provided just the right amount of "oomph."
Concise
and quick, Fusion was easy to drive for a
mid-size sedan that can comfortably carry
a family to and from school, work and beyond.
Corners were cradled nicely while the car
was quick to brake at sudden stops and sped
up just as quickly with the right amount of
under-the-hood power.
Fuel
economy is rated 21/29 mpg for city and highway
driving, respectively. During my drives, I
averaged 24 mpg on the highway, which still
edges slightly above other V6 competitors.
With
a base price of about $18,000 - Fusion seems
a smart choice for those in need of a solid,
strong and practical family vehicle (the fact
that Fusion is nice on the eyes and more fun
than you'd imagine is a bonus.) Our test vehicle,
well-equipped with leather seating, anti-lock
brakes (ABS,) power moonroof and Ford's Safety
and Security package, came with a $26,445
price tag.
