Ford’s Fusion midsize sedan is a real looker whose exterior styling has often, justifiably, been likened to that of a Jaguar or Aston Martin.
For 2014, a new 1.5-liter, four-cylinder EcoBoost engine (turbocharged, gasoline direct injection) comes aboard, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. My tester sported this zippy and smooth new powertrain, which produces 178 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque, while taking it nice and easy on fuel consumption: 25 mpg for city driving and 37 mpg on the highway.
In a particularly impressive display of bravado out on the Olympic Peninsula, the Fusion — laden with four full-size adults and without breaking a sweat — was able to get us onto an uphill road from a stop and accelerate fast enough to avoid annihilation by rapidly approaching high-speed traffic.
The Fusion is solid, well-built and enjoyable to drive. Denizens of its passenger cabin are treated to ample room all around and a comfortable, quiet ride.
One of my backseat passengers on the peninsula trip had some uncharitable things to say about her seatbelt for being too difficult to fasten and unfasten. Birding was the purpose of our trip, and birding involves frequent car-getting-into-and-out-of, so an uncooperative seatbelt in this situation isn’t an inconvenience but an irritation of historic proportions.
The other backseat passenger said he hadn’t noticed a problem, but everyone knows guys are oblivious.
I tested the seatbelt myself and had the same unfriendly reaction to it. The problem: It was an inflatable seat belt. They’re touted as a safety feature and I’m sure they are one, but they add considerable bulk to the belt, making it more difficult to commandeer. Fortunately for Fusion-buying birders everywhere, they’re an optional feature ($190).
The 2014 Ford Fusion is available in three different trims: S, SE and Titanium. Standard equipment on my SE tester includes automatic halogen headlights, power heated outside mirrors with approach lamp, rear climate-control ducts, 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat, satellite radio, tilt steering wheel with cruise and audio controls, and a 60/40 split foldable rear seat.
Items on the tester’s options list include a luxury package, $2,350; reverse sensing system, $295; start-stop fuel saving system, $295; and the offending inflatable rear seatbelts.
2014 FORD FUSION
Base price, including destination charge: $24,760
Price as driven: $27,890
Mary Lowry is an independent automotive writer who has been reviewing cars for more than 20 years. She is a member of the Motor Press Guild and a board member of the Northwest Automotive Press Association. Vehicles are provided by the manufacturers as a one-week loan for review purposes only. In no way do the manufacturers control the content of the reviews.
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