The pleasure of dynamic displacement
As manufacturers endeavor to do more with less, it is refreshing to enjoy the dynamic displacement of a V-6 in a family sedan when most are now four-cylinders. And even the turbocharged 2.7-liter V-6 in the Ford Fusion Sport is downsized but feeling quite full and eager.
Ford does offer three four-cylinder powertrains and two hybrid models for the Fusion. But the Sport model is a sustainable blend of enjoyable performance that will not beat up the occupants.
The 325-hp, turbocharged and direct-injection 2.7-liter V-6 has 380 foot-pounds of torque at 3,500 rpm. The power is eager, as if the Fusion Sport wants to be the lead car away from the light and then keep pace in traffic. If you did not know it was an all-wheel drive sedan, you’d think it was rear drive, though the standard Fusion is front-wheel drive.
This 3,500-pound sedan feels light and nimble to drive and returns fuel economy that is acceptable for its thoroughly satisfying acceleration: 17 mpg city, 26 highway and 20 mpg combined using premium fuel. I was averaging 21.9-23 mpg.
Fusion pricing starts at $22,995. The Fusion Sport starts at $34,480, including the $875 freight charge from Hermosillo, Mexico. The tester had $6,605 in options for a sticker of $41,085. A $2,000 Red Carpet Lease incentive is available through April 3 — and the Fusion Sport makes an ideal business sedan for a car enthusiast.
Standard equipment includes smartkey locking and push-button ignition, electronic continuously controlled damping, rear decklid spoiler, 19-inch dark alloy wheels and P235/40 tires, heated leather- and microsuede-trimmed front sport seats, electric parking brake, rearview camera, active noise control, floor mats (front and rear), LED fog lights and blind-spot alert side mirrors.
Spending $40,000 may seem righteous for a Fusion, but the driving experience and features back it up. Steering input is immediate and controlled. The electronic continuously controlled damping suspension responds flatly to energetic cornering, but there is some nose dive on hard braking. The ride can seem soft in some conditions, but the shock absorbers control the rebound without being harsh or jarring the cabin.
The Sport upgrade package, $2,000, includes 4.2-inch LCD displays in the instrument cluster, 10-way power driver seat with power lumbar, six-way power front passenger seat, ambient lighting, dual-zone AC and heat, reverse sensing system.
There is much function to the Fusion. Despite a large dashboard and outstretched windshield pillars, cornering visibility isn’t compromised — helped largely by quarter corner glass at the side mirrors. It opens a location that can be prone to a blind spot.
The cabin is roomy with tall front headroom of 39.2 inches and long legroom of 44.3 inches. The driver area is well organized for eyes on the road and hands on the wheel. It is a focused position with no flashy gimmicks to impress the easily amused.
The front seats have good thigh support, robust lumbar adjustment and just enough side bolstering to secure but not restrict movement or comfort. Metal-trimmed pedals and a big driver’s footrest reinforce control.
The center console has a big charging bin tucked beneath the base of the instrument panel. It is roomy with open sides so it’s easy for large hands to locate the USB or 12-volt plug for charging. There’s another set of charging ports in the two-tier center armrest console. And the forward portion of the shift console has a wide notch to rest even the billboard-class of smartphone.
The touchscreen is large to access such controls as the audio, climate, phone and navigation. Plus there are redundant buttons and switches for climate, fan, seat heaters, with a big volume dial and switches for seek and tune. Plus the driver has more access to those functions through the steering wheel.
Padded visors (with lighted mirrors) slide and door panels have deep stowage and bottle holders. And there is a large, two-level locking glove box.
The test car had useful options for the commuter, such as adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, $1,190, and voice-activated navigation, $795. The Driver Assist Package, $1,625, included auto high beams, blind spot warning with cross-traffic alert, heated steering wheel and lane-keep assist. Enhanced active park assist, $995, adds parallel parking, park out assist, reverse perpendicular parking and forward and side sensing systems.
The back seat has a butt-down, knees-up position, which maximizes leg and footroom, but it’s not to my liking for road-trip comfort. There is a low hump to the exhaust-driveshaft tunnel, which helps three-across footroom. Other back-seat amenities include lights, a 110-volt household outlet and a 12-volt plug.
The trunk is huge (16 cubic feet) but with a fairly shallow opening, which will be fine for golf clubs but restrictive to big-box purchases.
The Sport’s trim elements help dress up an interior that is still not “premium” in the appearance of plastics and carpeting. But all the pieces seem durable and solidly assembled.
Get in, drive and drive briskly — then smile at the fuel economy.
