Overview:
This week we’re looking at the 2010 Ford Fusion SEL. It has been a long time since I featured a series of Ford Product in my column. Stepping back into Ford has dusted off some memories of the past. The current automotive crisis in the 21st Century takes us back over 100 years ago. I believe Henry Ford would be proud of the company he founded to deal with current conditions and with the guts to reject government bail out money. His influence is paying dividends even today. People are NOT buying GM (Government Motors) cars but instead are moving back to basics and to Ford products. The character inherent in Free Market principles is shining through.
At the same time the new king of the car world, Toyota, is finding they have a chink in their armor. It just proves they too are human. It also points out how fragile the leader can be and how a change of fortunes can happen and does just that when least expected.
Car of the year says Motor Trend of this 2010 Ford Fusion. The momentum appears to be shifting back to the past for the future.
General Info:
Parts – .
Assembly – Mexico
Class: – Midsize
Cars: – Edge, Escape, Escape Hybrid, E-Series Van, E-Series Wagon, Expedition, Explorer, Explorer Sport Trac, F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, Fiesta, Flex Focus, Fusion, Fusion Hyrid, Mustang, Ranger, Shelby GT500, Taurus and Transit Connect.
Opinion:
As my column implies I believe we all have a love affair with our automobiles. . . always have. For me I’m reminded of my third car – actually a truck. A 1955 Ford half ton Pick up truck to be exact. I was a senior in High School and it was near new. It didn’t come easy however as I would be reminded every morning at 4AM as I drove to fold and deliver 420 LA Times newspapers. Ergo the need for a truck. Then I’d get back in time for a bowl of Wheaties and off to classes. The energy of youth would run out in my 2PM class when I would doze off. I’d catch a few winks to get me ready for my job at the Natural Food Mill where I’d wash the pots and pans and cookie sheets John the baker would need at 2AM the following morning. Those jobs and others would give me the money to pay for the privileged of owning my own car. At least I didn’t have to walk to school – up hill – both ways…. In the snow like dad had to. Yep I had it easy because I had a passion to drive and be a member of the Little Rascals car club. We were all gear heads back then and turning a wrench was a part of the passion of the automobile.
Do kids do that today? Do they work hard and have the boundless energy we did when we were kids? Do they tinker with mechanical things? Or do they busy themselves texting unseen kids as we would spend time on a party line talking with several strangers in search of a connection to the outside world? We still hadn’t figured out ‘what it’s all about – Alfie’.
Well, things have reached a level of perfection in today’s Ford’s we didn’t enjoy a generation ago. Smooth performance has replaced raw unsophisticated power coupled with suspensions that did little more than keep the frame up off the road. In today’s world it doesn’t get any better than the handling of this new Ford Fusion. What’s not to love?
Styling:
Fact of the matter is that cars today not only handle like a dream, they are sexy too. Ok, so it’s more like a uni-sexy… not like the early days of cars that resembled each other only by having 4 wheels, an engine and roll up windows in common. Designers uniquely crafted cars with paper and pencil so imagination reigned supreme. Today the cars’ look and feel is embellished by CAD systems where computer aided design has an influence that make all cars look pretty much the same… and the word Generic was born.
Fit and Finish:
Generic – definition: something that is general, common, or inclusive rather than specific, unique, or selective. That pretty much describes today’s cars in contrast to those of yesteryear. Early cars were distinguishable as much by different gadgets and features inside and out so the ‘badge’ was incidental to identification of who made the car.
Cost:
Henry Ford had more to do with value for the buck than any car maker ever. It is fitting that today’s Ford automobiles are as competitive as they are in spite of Union’s who have had more to do with nearly sinking the US Auto Industry.
Conveniences and comfort:
Wow. What can I say – you’ve come a long way baby. We expect all the fluff and creature comforts possible. Daughter Jenny learned the hard lesson of why you don’t text while driving. It is a clear reason why Nav systems won’t allow input while the car is moving. Our need for more convenience and comfort has made it clear to me that we CAN’T really Multi-task. We’re simply not wired that way… or that well.
One new convenience on this Ford is what they call an Easyfuel capless filler. Pretty cool.
Another interesting new feature is the SOS post crash alert system which unlocks the vehicle doors and activates the horn and emergency flashers in the event air bags are deployed. What’ll they think of next?
Consumer Recommendation:
Ford is said to be having some electrical problems with Fusion. Ford Customer Service Relationship Center can be reached at 800-392-3673. I was unable to find any general broad electrical recall problems. Ford says there are often specific issues that are handled as is customary in the industry generally. You can also go to NHTSA.gov (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for more information).
A specific link is: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/portal/site/nhtsa/template.MAXIMIZE/menuitem.f2217bee37fb302f6d7c121046108a0c/?javax.portlet.tpst=1e51531b2220b0f8ea14201046108a0c_ws_MX&javax.portlet.prp_1e51531b2220b0f8ea14201046108a0c_viewID=detail_view&itemID=1cd18bb66d24c110VgnVCM1000002fd17898RCRD&pressReleaseYearSelect=2008
Recognized Competition:
Ford Fusion $20-28,000, Acura TSX $29-38,000, Buick La Crosse $27-33,000, Chevrolet Malibu $22-27,000, Chrysler 300 $27-45,000, Chrysler Sebring $20-35,000, Dodge Avenger $20-22,000, Dodge Charger $24-38,000, Honda Accord $21-31,000, Hyundai Sonata $19-27,000, Kia Optima $18-23,000, Mazda 6 $18-28,000, Mercury Milan $22-28,000, Mitsubishi Galant $22-24,000, Nissan Altima $20-30,000, Pontiac G6 $19-32,000, Saturn Aura $23-27,000, Subaru Legacy $20-30,000, Suzuki Kizashi $19-27,000, Toyota Camry $19-29,000, Volkswagen Jetta $18-25,000, Volkswagen Passat $27,915.
Good News:
It’s a Fooorrrrrd, neat ambient lighting, really good fuel economy.
Bad News:
Some word on the street that Ford products may be having recall problems.
Standard Equipment:
2.5 liter 4-cylinder 175 hp engine, 6-speed automatic transmission, 17” aluminum wheels, 4-wheel ABS disc brakes, traction control, electronic stability control, front, side and side curtain air bags, SOS post crash alert system, perimeter alarm, tire pressure monitor system, power windows & locks, tilt and telescopic leather wrapped wheel with cruise and audio controls, leather trimmed heated front seats, 8-way power driver seat, 60/40 split rear seat, power windows and locks, Audio with CD/MP3 with Sirius satellite, SYNC voice activated system, fog lights, power heated mirrors, keyless entry, climate control and LATCH child safety system.
Gas Stats:
$2.85/ Gal avg. February 16 ‘10
for more information.
22 City and 31 Highway MPG
Pricing:
MSRP $23,975.
