[Metallicat]

http://www.caranddriver.com/shortroadtests/12339/2007-ford-fusion-se.html

Decent 0-60 and 1/4 mile times - they like the looks but don't have anything overwhelmingly positive to say.

 

[urnews]

[quote author=Metallicat link=topic=67921.msg1170120#msg1170120 date=1169826545]
http://www.caranddriver.com/shortroadtests/12339/2007-ford-fusion-se.html

Decent 0-60 and 1/4 mile times - they like the looks but don't have anything overwhelmingly positive to say.
[/quote]
I agree with your assessment of the story. All said and done, the Fusion seemed to be classified as "average," except for the styling. Unfortunately for Ford, "average" just doesn't cut it in today's highly competitive global marketplace.

If all I knew about the Fusion was contained in this Car and Driver review, then I probably would not have bought our 2007 SEL AWD. That said, the C&D report seemed fair and unbiased to me when reading it.

 

[NaplesBill]

Why are you comparing a review of a 4-cyl SE to your V6 AWD? The driving experience would be completely different and the C&D reviewer praised the styling and interior.

 

[urnews]

[quote author=NaplesBill link=topic=67921.msg1170331#msg1170331 date=1169834064]
Why are you comparing a review of a 4-cyl SE to your V6 AWD? The driving experience would be completely different and the C&D reviewer praised the styling and interior.
[/quote]
That's a good question, Bill. I honestly have no adequate answer. LOL.

 

[NaplesBill]

Besides, C&D should feel a bit retarded in saying the Accord is better than the Fusion when their own "challenge" had the Fusion emerge as the winner. I also thought it was kind of stupid how he said the Fusion had the most grip but sacrificed the "refinement" of the Camry to obtain it. If you read the review of the Camry I believe they called it boring. People who would care about the grip would not complain about it not being soft enough. There are different buyers for both vehicles.

 

[HEVeng]

Hmm, did I miss something? Fusion SE with auto climate control?
Does the appearance package include auto controls?
The photo on page two is an SEL. Must be "file photos".

Great way to represent the car they tested. :crazy:

 

[otaku]

Camry's are four old people the last person I knew well who owned one (actually two) was over 70 she loved it. No comparison between the i4 and the v6 awd I wish more reviews of the awd boz and I own would come out

 

[Scape2]

Ford does need to step it up with engine technology and refinement. Their engines are reliable and adequate but in todays markets you need to step up! The 2.3 is a great little 4cyl engine that could easily put out 180HP. Why doesn't Ford do this?

 

[otaku]

160hp isn't bad for a normally aspirated engine of this type. VW gets 200hp but thats turbocharged. I believe the civic si has 201hp but thats a limited production ""sports engine the biggest problem I see with the I4 is that its noisy, more so than the already somewhat noisy V6. That VW 4cylinder was very quiet and smooth. Ford can certainly do better just look at their 4.6-5.4l v8 32valve engines (now outdated a bit)

 

[cos]

Metallicat,

Thanks for the link! 0-60 in 8.1 and a 16.4 1/4 - not bad at all for a 3,254 lb mid size sedan. It would have been nice if C&D mentioned that rebates and low cost financing often bring the Fusion's price thousands lower then the Accord and Camry making it a far better value.

 

[crystallas]

[quote author=Scape2 link=topic=67921.msg1171643#msg1171643 date=1169917292]
Ford does need to step it up with engine technology and refinement. Their engines are reliable and adequate but in todays markets you need to step up! The 2.3 is a great little 4cyl engine that could easily put out 180HP. Why doesn't Ford do this?
[/quote]

Its the conservative approach to selling a car. People who are satisfied will appreciate the car as is, those who are hungry for more will spend money on parts. Heck, a good cam job alone could get you around SAE 200hp(might not be the most reliable 220 NA i4, but its out there and not a bad option.) Not only does this approach sell the car, knowing that it has loads of potential, but it also retains a lower standard from insurance companies. Making it a top notch sleeper, a domestic sleeper at that.

 

[urnews]

[quote author=otaku link=topic=67921.msg1170926#msg1170926 date=1169852756]
... No comparison between the i4 and the v6 awd I wish more reviews of the awd boz and I own would come out
[/quote]
Yeah, except for the Car and Driver tests used in the ads, you don't see many reviews of the V6 AWD combo, which is a bit odd since this distinguishes the Fusion from all of the ricers on the road and is very upscale. You would think this Fusion drive train would get more media attention.

 

[otaku]

I swear its because of media biase. They're all biased towards the Japanese and Germans (germans I can understand) when it comes to pricing/reliability/style the fusion owns!

 

[urnews]

I couldn't agree more. Ford, GM and Chrysler never seem to get a fair shake.

 

[yeloxr7]

[quote author=HEVeng link=topic=67921.msg1170379#msg1170379 date=1169836325]
Hmm, did I miss something? Fusion SE with auto climate control?
Does the appearance package include auto controls?
The photo on page two is an SEL. Must be "file photos".

Great way to represent the car they tested. :crazy:
[/quote]

Fur sure it's a file photo. The Appearance Package has the standard manual climate controls.

 

[mechanicboy18]

[quote author=urnews link=topic=67921.msg1267052#msg1267052 date=1173889041]
I couldn't agree more. Ford, GM and Chrysler never seem to get a fair shake.
[/quote

I agree!!

 

[AgonxOC]

Their weight is way off by 200 LBS.... Last time I checked the Manual 2.3L were about 3055 Lbs. Fusion is a 19Lb/HP car and very comparable to a Honda Accord with a 2.4L and manual in terms of performance.


Alex

 

[mechanicboy18]

They have to be off because my fusion weighed in at 3200 lbs on the nose with a little more then a 1/4 tank showing on the gauge. Yahoo autos lists the auto(like i have) at 3158lbs, so if they were right that means I have about 5.25 gallons of gas in there which also sounds right.

 

[clay01]

It's pathetic watching these magazines begrudginly admit that the Fusion is a pretty good car. This pales in comparison to the reaction I received from my Toyota loving friends when I showed them the article about Ford overtaking Toyota in initial quality according to J.D. Power. I thought I was going to have to run for my life.
BTW my 2006 Fusion S 5 speed stick tipped the scales at 3023 Lbs. shipping weight.
I have 10 months and 11,000 miles under my belt and have had no problems with the car. Nothing broken, nothing falling off, no squeaks or rattles.

 

[Metallicat]

3023 lbs is a fantastic weight for this class of car! There are so many sedans in the 3400+lb range, nice to have one of the lighter ones = better handling, better mileage, better performance.

[quote author=clay01 link=topic=67921.msg1506812#msg1506812 date=1182479407]
It's pathetic watching these magazines begrudginly admit that the Fusion is a pretty good car. This pales in comparison to the reaction I received from my Toyota loving friends when I showed them the article about Ford overtaking Toyota in initial quality according to J.D. Power. I thought I was going to have to run for my life.
BTW my 2006 Fusion S 5 speed stick tipped the scales at 3023 Lbs. shipping weight.
I have 10 months and 11,000 miles under my belt and have had no problems with the car. Nothing broken, nothing falling off, no squeaks or rattles.
[/quote]