StangBangers Road Test: 2013 Ford Fusion Titanium AWD

Oct. 23, 2012 - PRLog -- The Ford Fusion debuted in 2005 (2006 model year), replacing the Contour/Mondeo, and positioned between the compact Focus and full-size Taurus. Fusion sales have increased every year since then, making it a winner for Ford, and there is no reason to believe this trend will not continue with the 2013 redesign.

The new design is revolutionary (as opposed to evolutionary). It’s almost as if the Ford designers started with a blank slate, carrying over only the requirement that it needed to be a 4-door sedan. The result is a car which stops people in their tracks. Literally. One gentleman chased the car down in a crowded parking lot just to get a closer look.

The front end of the new Fusion resembles an Aston Martin with its large ovalish grill, and is very aggressive. The headlights resemble squinty eyes, letting you know that this car is serious about its purpose. The side-view is a bit more subdued, but still attractive. The rear end reveals the car’s sporty intentions with an integrated decklid spoiler and molded-into-the-bodywork chrome dual exhaust tips.

The 2.0L I4 GTDI engine generates 240 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque, and accelerates briskly from a dead stop like a peppy 4-cylinder, and then pulls hard like a high-revving V6 once the turbo kicks in. The 6-speed automatic transmission does an excellent of job of shifting though the gears for you, or you have the option to shift yourself via paddle shifters. Either way… Very smooth, quite fun to drive, and deceptively quick. It is a car which is hard to drive slowly, and very willing to go fast.

Handling strikes a perfect balance between sport and comfort. The suspension, AWD, and optional 19” wheel/tire combo all work together to give you a car which you can push fairly hard on a curvy road, and yet not punish you on a pothole-riddled street.

The leather-wrapped interior feels quite upscale, comfortable, and very roomy. Plenty of room for 5 (lots of headroom, even in the back seats), plus a cavernous trunk. The seats are supportive, and visibility excellent.

Our 2013 Ruby Red Fusion Sport AWD was the Titanium Edition, so it came with a comprehensive list of standard equipment, including the MyFord Touch electronics interface. Optional Equipment included: Active Park Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Voice-Activated Navigation System, 19" H-Spoke Dark Stainless Aluminum Wheels with Continental ContiProContact 235/40 R19 tires, and Driver Assist Package (Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Keeping System).

At the end of our week with the 2013 Fusion, we were hard-pressed to come up with any gripes (other than that we had to give the car back).

So, regardless of whether or not Ford chose the name “Fusion” to describe a car which contains all of the elements required to be the perfect 4-door sedan, we think this car is worthy of the name. It offers both “show” and “go”, combines it with comfort, roominess, safety, AWD, plus is a hoot to drive.

If that ain’t automotive fusion, then not sure what is!

Click here to see more pics: http://www.stangbangers.com/2013_FusionTitaniumAWD_TestDrive.htm