Topic: CD Article: 2006 Ford Fusion

[Autos_Editor]

You may discuss our cover story of the day in this thread....
First Drive:

First impressions of the new Ford Fusion, which replaces the Taurus, are positive, says Paul Williams. "It drives very nicely, has excellent interior room, offers a lot of content for a competitive price, and has an appealing design that looks classy and modern," he says.   More...

[ovr50]

Ford really needs this new Fusion to sell well, it is imperitive to them. Based on this review and others I have read so far it sounds promising. There seems, so far at least, to be little of the carping that accompanyied the release of the Ford Five Hundred. The Fusion is a better looker than the Five Hundred IMO.

I hope for Ford's sake that it is a winner. 

[widefire]

It is good looking, but not as good as my Mazda6. I wish them good luck!

[rovermark]

The interior dashboard layout is identical to a VW Jetta/Golf. Even the shape of the dashboard is the same.

[si]

They spent all that time and effort building the new 6 speed auto tranny and they don't even give it a 'manumatic' mode?  Lame.

[ovr50]

My guess would be that most buyers of a family sedan don't even know what a Manumatic is, let alone want one. Remember most on here actually LIKE to drive, and we're probably NOT Ford's target market for the Fusion. It would be like a Taurus with paddle-shifters...

[motoman1ca]

I personally really like the styling of the new Fusion; it has a sharp, coherent and modern design that really stands out.  Performance, although not class-leading, should be quite good from the Fusion's engine/transmission teams.  I think that Ford will have a winner on their hands if the company can meet quality objectives.  I'm pretty sure that Ford has learned its lesson and will certainly avoid the recall disaster that it had with early Focus production.

[Bullet Blue]

Looks good in black. We'll see how it works out for Ford. In any event, it's a lot better than the taurus.

[mdxtasy]

I like the car.  I can do without the Altezza style rear lights but otherwise, it's quite a handsome design.  Inside and out...it looks good.  The interior looks much nicer and follows the F150.  Pricing....very aggressive and like the others have said, this will be a good family car for the masses. 

Ovr, I love your manumatic response....friggin' funny. 

[a4_tom]

The Fusion is the reason why Mazda doesn't need a larger Mazda6, as its already based on the excellent platform.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

I've liked the styling since it came out. Nicely squared, great and unique face, looks like it has thick metal on it, like the black trim bits on the interior and it's supposed to be roomy, pricing, engines, the AWD will be killer at that price, etc.

I just don't like the rear and especially tail lights.

This should sell well. Has more presence than the other value cars like Sonata at this price point, and that should make the difference.

[Wetson]

I like the car.  I can do without the Altezza style rear lights but otherwise, it's quite a handsome design. 

I like it to.  I really like the design of the front.  You're right about the tail lights.  Something is missing.  They look to busy.

[Drivesideways]

Those rear tail lights really let down the styling of the rest of the car.  IMO, they're way too "tuner."  I suppose it's target market probably won't care too much, though.  I hope it's a sucess for Ford.  It certainly looks like it has a chance to.

[safristi]

"Manu-Matic" the car does THAT fer ya NOW..!!!!! what a tosser....I'll have a BIG RED ONE wif a 6 speeds...!!!!!! ...


   Seriously tho' 5 speeds would be enuf....!!!!!!


  Nice looker,good pricing,powered right with the 6 cylinder...should be a BIG hit...lots of sales prolly in the rental arena for the 4 cylinder.Wish 'em well....where are they built....I see Ford has "almost" settled with the CAW HarGroovers...and lots of jobs are goin' bye-bye.......did they slip BUZZ a LITE-BEER...!!!?

[si]

five for you OVR

[safristi]

..SLIP.BUZZ A LITE _ BEER....worth three stars...?

[Shoe]

I think the new Fusion looks great and the availability of the 5/6 speed automatics is a definite plus.

Having said that however, I feel that if Ford wants to be a "Player" they are going to have to come out with a V-6 that produces between 230/260 horsepower for both the Fusion and the 500.

(Do these guys never look at what is selling and gaining market share???)

[stodge]

The combination of the smaller engine (2.3?) and the 5 speed automatic is tempting. I'm not sold on the front, but I suppose I could get in touch with my "North American" side!   

[a4_tom]

I don't think Ford will go to hp war with Nissan, since Mazda6 already refused to go to this battleground. Given Mazda6's platform has excellent dynamics, I have confident in Fusion's handling. With 6's European like dynamics, I doubt you will need more power than you really needed. Power is nothing without control.

[dru2005]

The design for the Fusion looks good. The only thing stopping me from  buying a Ford is the quality and reliability. Not sure if I could trust a Ford yet.