2019 Ford Fusion Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

byTravis LangnessReviews Editor

　　Travis Langness has worked in the automotive industry since 2011. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career.

　　

What's new

New front and rear fasciaNew Co-Pilot360 safety packageRevised feature and trim availabilityPart of the second Fusion generation introduced for 2013

　　The Honda Accord, the Mazda 6 and the Toyota Camry have all either been thoroughly updated or completely redesigned in the last year. They're getting most of the attention this year, and rightly so. But the 2019 Ford Fusion still has enough appeal to make it a respectable choice for a midsize sedan.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2019 Ford Fusion S 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$146/mo  for Fusion S

　　Fusion S

　　S 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 6A) - $22,840 MSRPSE 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 6A) (Most Popular) - $24,120 MSRPSE 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A) - $27,775 MSRPSEL 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 6A) - $28,580 MSRPSEL 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A) - $32,065 MSRPTitanium 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A) - $34,340 MSRPTitanium 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A) - $36,340 MSRPSport 4dr Sedan AWD (2.7L 6cyl Turbo 6A) - $40,015 MSRP

　　vs

　　$164/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　Ford has kept its aging Fusion fresh over the years with various updates. This year, for instance, there's slightly updated styling and more standard equipment. We also like most of what Ford puts under the hood. The base 2.5-liter engine is a bit underwhelming, but there are three upgraded engines to choose from, including a turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 that packs a serious punch. On the technology front, the Fusion's Sync 3 infotainment system is one of the better ones you'll find.

　　Overall, the 2019 Ford Fusion is still a midsize sedan we'd recommend. Whether you're going with the frugal base model or the sporty V6 configuration, there's something for just about everyone.

　　Notably, we picked the 2019 Ford Fusion as one of zzdcar' Best AWD Sedans, as well as one of the Best AWD Sedans for this year.

　　

zzdcar' Expert Rating

7.9 / 10

　　The 2019 Ford Fusion is staying current with an updated look and a suitable amount of modern technology. It's not the newest sedan around, but the Fusion is spacious, comfortable and enjoyable to drive.

　　

Trim tested

　　Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the Ford Fusion SE EcoBoost (turbo 1.5L inline-4 | 6-speed automatic | FWD).

　　NOTE: Since this test was conducted, the current Ford Fusion has received some revisions, including the addition of optional adaptive cruise control across the lineup and the elimination of a couple option packages. Our findings remain broadly applicable to this year's Ford Fusion, however.

　　

Scorecard

Overall	7.9 / 10
Driving	7.5
Comfort	8.0
Interior	8.0
Utility	8.5
Technology	8.5

　　

Driving

7.5

　　The Fusion isn't as dynamically impressive as it once was, but it's still a likable car that puts up some solid numbers in braking and handling. Not many cars in this segment are focused on driving enjoyment, but the Fusion remains entertaining despite lackluster acceleration.

　　

Acceleration

6.0

　　The optional 1.5-liter turbo four-cylinder engine gets the Fusion moving at a decent clip, but it's far from quick. In zzdcar performance testing, the 1.5L Fusion went 0-60 mph in 8.9 seconds, which is slower than average for the segment.

　　

Braking

8.5

　　The brakes on the Fusion inspire confidence, they're easy to modulate in traffic, and performance at the track was very consistent. In a simulated-panic stop from 60 mph, the Fusion (on all-season tires) needed only 116 feet, which is very good for the class.

　　

Steering

6.0

　　The Fusion's steering is nicely weighted, and it returns to center willingly. Though low-speed parking is a breeze, there's almost no feeling of connection to the road through the steering during spirited driving.

　　

Handling

8.0

　　Despite the steering's lack of driver-to-road connection, the Fusion handles and maneuvers quite well. The chassis feels solid, the suspension minimizes body roll, and it isn't upset if it encounters a bump midcorner, so curvy mountain roads pose little drama.

　　

Drivability

7.5

　　The Fusion comes up short in some performance areas, but overall it's an enjoyable car to drive. In the city it's easy to maneuver, and it has excellent brake responsiveness. The standard six-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly but leisurely.

　　

Comfort

8.0

　　Though the Fusion has some minor issues with comfort, they're relatively easy to forgive. The ride is generally smooth on the highway, road noise is kept to a minimum, and the front seats are a particularly nice place to sit, even for hours at a time.

　　

Seat comfort

8.0

　　The standard cloth seats are nicely padded and offer a great balance of support and comfort that lasts for hours. But we found it harder to be comfortable in the optional leather seats, which feel taut and stiffer. Front headrests are adjustable, and outboard rear seats are set at a pleasant angle.

　　

Ride comfort

8.0

　　The Fusion feels planted in most scenarios, and it isn't upset by most small imperfections in the road. Out on the highway, the ride can feel a bit floaty without passengers or cargo, but it's not bouncy or uncontrolled.

　　

Noise & vibration

8.0

　　The 1.5-liter engine rumbles a little under full acceleration, but otherwise the cabin is relatively quiet, especially on the highway. A minor amount of wind and road noise makes its way into the cabin.

　　

Climate control

7.5

　　Automatic climate control isn't standard, but it did come on our midlevel SE test car. The system performed adequately in hot weather, but the climate control buttons are small and laid out in a somewhat unconventional way. It takes some time to learn the system.

　　

Interior

8.0

　　Almost everyone should find the Fusion's interior pleasant and accommodating. It's easy to get in and out of, the driving position is nicely adjustable, and the cabin offers a good amount of space. Tall passengers might take issue with the sloping rear roofline when getting into the back seat.

　　

Ease of use

7.5

　　The cabin features a rotary transmission shifter that takes some getting used to. But most cabin controls are nicely grouped and easy to operate at a glance, though a few of the buttons are on the small side. Steering wheel buttons make it easy to sort through the comprehensive dashboard screen.

　　

Getting in/getting out

8.0

　　Most occupants will find it easy to climb in and out of the Fusion thanks to wide-opening doors and seats that are set at an inviting height. The only exception is the sloping rear roofline, which might prompt those over 6 feet tall to duck as they slide into the back seat.

　　

Driving position

8.5

　　Driving posture is comfortable and readily adjustable. Tilt-and-telescoping wheel has a generous adjustment range. Cloth and leather seats both offer height adjustments, but tall drivers should know that the 10-way power mechanism doesn't allow the leather seats to go as far down as the cloth ones.

　　

Roominess

8.5

　　The Fusion feels spacious, and its front and rear seats provide above-average levels of head-, leg- and hiproom. Rear headroom is impacted somewhat by the sloping rear roofline, but only those over 6 feet tall should notice. The optional sunroof takes a bite out of headroom.

　　

Visibility

7.5

　　Outward visibility is good despite fairly thick windshield pillars, but the rear blind spot is larger than average due to a broad rear roof pillar and a smaller-than-average rear quarter window. A rearview camera is standard, and parking sensors are optional, which is typical in this segment.

　　

Quality

7.0

　　Our test car had no significant squeaks or rattles, but several panels on the inside and exterior were slightly misaligned. The quality of materials is acceptable for the price, but the higher trim levels help the Fusion feel less like a rental.

　　

Utility

8.5

　　A large trunk and plenty of cabin storage for small items make the Fusion good for storing lots of your stuff on a daily basis or for family road trips.

　　

Small-item storage

8.5

　　Storage spaces include a large bin under the front armrest and a spacious tray under the center console. Both front and rear center armrests have two cupholders, and there's one in each of the wide door pockets. None will hold anything larger than an average-size water bottle or a coffee cup.

　　

Cargo space

9.0

　　A wide trunk opening with a low liftover height and standard 60/40-split folding rear seats give you easy access to the Fusion's very large trunk. With 16 cubic feet of volume in the trunk alone, the Fusion has more cargo space than the Camry, Malibu and Mazda 6.

　　

Technology

8.5

　　With the Sync 3 infotainment system and the advent of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the Ford Fusion is one of the more approachable and tech-friendly vehicles on the market. It's easy to connect devices, execute voice commands, or navigate to a destination without a steep learning curve.

　　

Audio & navigation

7.5

　　Sync 3 and its onboard navigation are much better than the old MyFord Touch system. Like a smartphone, Sync 3 has big virtual buttons and the ability to swipe through menus. But the satellite radio signal was often dropped, likely due to a weak antenna, and high-volume audio quality isn't very good.

　　

Smartphone integration

9.0

　　All Fusions with Sync 3 have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality and a second USB port. If you don't utilize these systems, you can still pair your phone via Bluetooth, which is a nice option to have.

　　

Voice control

9.0

　　As always, Ford's voice controls, now via Sync 3, are excellent. Natural language and simple commands do wonders to play music, change radio stations, input navigation destinations or place calls. And you have the option to hold the voice button longer to access Siri on your paired smartphone.

　　

Which Fusion does zzdcar recommend?

　　The 2019 Ford Fusion is available in several appealing configurations but we like the Fusion SE. Just above the base-level S, the SE has an impressive amount of standard equipment and several engines to choose from. Ford's new Co-Pilot360 Assist system is available on the SE and it includes adaptive cruise control and voice-controlled navigation. The SE also gets dual-zone climate control, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and Ford's excellent Sync 3 voice controls. For engines at the SE level, we recommend upgrading to either the 1.5-liter or the 2.0-liter turbocharged choice.

　　

2019 Ford Fusion models

　　The 2019 Ford Fusion is a five-passenger midsize sedan available in five trim levels: S, SE, SEL, Titanium and V6 Sport. The hybrid and plug-in hybrid (known as the Fusion Energi) are reviewed separately. The base S is reasonably well-equipped, while the SE and the SEL come with a few more creature comforts. The Titanium and the V6 Sport are equipped with all sorts of upgraded features and different engines for added performance.

　　The base Fusion S comes standard with the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine (173 hp, 174 lb-ft), front-wheel drive, a six-speed automatic transmission, 16-inch steel wheels, automatic headlights, a rearview camera, cruise control, air conditioning, a height-adjustable driver's seat, 60/40-split folding rear seats, audio and phone voice commands (Sync), Bluetooth, and a four-speaker sound system with a 4.2-inch center screen, a CD player and a USB port. Also standard is a suite of drive safety aids (Co-Pilot360 Protect) that includes blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision mitigation and lane keeping assist.

　　The only option available on the S model is Ford's Co-Pilot360 Assist system. It adds dual-zone automatic climate control, an upgraded 8-inch center touchscreen with navigation, Ford's Sync 3 voice controls, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability, adaptive cruise control, and two USB ports.

　　The Fusion SE gets all of the standard equipment on the S plus a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine (181 hp, 185 lb-ft) with automatic engine stop-start to help save fuel, 17-inch wheels, exterior keypad entry, power-adjustable front seats, rear heat ducts, a rear center fold-down armrest, and a six-speaker sound system with satellite radio. It also has the previously mentioned 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the two USB ports and navigation as standard. An optional SE Appearance package adds 18-inch black-painted wheels, special interior trim and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

　　The Co-Pilot360 Assist option is also available on the SE and adds adaptive cruise control and navigation. The Fusion SE is also available with all-wheel drive, which automatically adds a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine (240 hp, 270 lb-ft), 18-inch wheels, heated front seats and heated side mirrors.

　　The Fusion SEL builds on the SE by adding LED headlights, keyless ignition and entry, remote ignition, an auto-dimming rearview mirror and driver-side mirror, heated mirrors, driver-seat memory settings, heated front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and an 11-speaker premium sound system. The SEL can also be equipped with the Co-Pilot360 Assist package.

　　The Fusion Titanium gets all of the SEL's standard features, plus the turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, 19-inch wheels, LED foglights, a rear spoiler, a sunroof, ambient interior lighting, heated and ventilated sport front seats, inflatable rear seat belts, Co-Pilot360 Assist, a premium 12-speaker Sony sound system and HD radio.

　　If you're looking for a sporty version of the Fusion that still has some top-end features, the V6 Sport starts with features from the SEL and adds a 2.7-liter turbocharged V6 engine (325 hp, 350 lb-ft), all-wheel drive, a different grille, 19-inch wheels, quad exhaust tips, a rear spoiler, adjustable suspension dampers, leather and simulated suede upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, the 12-speaker Sony audio system, an automated parking system for parallel and perpendicular parking, and adaptive cruise control.

　　

2019 Fusion Highlights

Trim: SSESELTitaniumSportS

　　

Base MSRP	$22,840
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	25 MPG
Cost to Drive	$146/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	16.0 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles