Offering a wide range of grades and engines, the 2019 Ford Fusion covers the bases from sedate family mover to higher-end luxury sedan. There’s even a fun-to-drive performance version for the enthusiasts. Equally diverse is the pricing, ensuring a Fusion will fit into nearly any budget. With the addition of the new Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of safety/driver-assist technologies as standard across all Fusion grades, this Ford sedan is among the safer sedans on the road
There is certainly plenty of competition in this segment that also hosts the likes of the Toyota Camry, the Honda Accord and the Chevrolet Malibu, but the Fusion is still well worth consideration.
What’s New for 2019?
A new SEL trim level has been added and the Platinum trim has been eliminated with standard content being rearranged among the many trims. Ford tweaked the front and the rear ends of the sedan. A robust suite of safety/driver-assist technologies (Ford Co-Pilot360) is now standard across all Fusion grades. FordPass Connect in-vehicle Wi-Fi replaces SYNC 3, and is standard on SE trim and above. See the 2019 Ford Fusion models for sale near you
What We Like
Sophisticated dynamics; looks as good as it drives; impressive technology; availability of all-wheel drive
What We Don’t
Front seats might be too narrow for some
How Much?
$23,735 — $40,910
Fuel Economy
The Fusion S has a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder making 175 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque. The only transmission is a 6-speed automatic, and fuel economy is estimated at 21 miles per gallon in the city, 31 mpg on the highway and 25 mpg in combined driving.
The SE and SEL get a 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder that develops 181 hp and 185 lb-ft. A stop/start function helps bring fuel economy up to 23 mpg city/34 mpg hwy/27 mpg combined.
Standard on Titanium is a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder developing 245 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque. The 6-speed automatic gets shift paddles here, and fuel economy estimates are 21 mpg city/31 mpg hwy/25 mpg combined with front-wheel drive, or 20 mpg city/29 mpg hwy/23 mpg combined with the optional AWD system.
The V6 Sport model has, naturally, a V6 engine. It’s a 2.7-liter unit turbocharged to produce 325 hp and 380 lb-ft (on 93-octane gasoline). It also uses a 6-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and has AWD. Fuel consumption is estimated at 17 mpg city/26 mpg hwy/20 mpg combined.
Standard Features & Options
The 2019 Ford Fusion comes in S, SE, SEL, Titanium and V6 Sport trim levels. Prices include the factory destination fee.
The S ($23,735) kicks things off with 16-in steel wheels, automatic halogen headlights with auto highbeams, LED tail lights, capless fuel filler, eight airbags, power windows and locks, air conditioning with manual climate control, cruise control, a tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel with auxiliary controls, intermittent wipers, a height-adjustable manual driver’s seat, a trip computer, Bluetooth, MyKey parental control capability, a rearview camera, Sync voice command functionality, and a 4-speaker audio system with an auxiliary input jack and USB port. Also standard is the new Ford Co-Pilot360 with pre-collision assist with emergency braking, blind spot warning with cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control.
The SE ($25,015) steps up to 17-in aluminum wheels, a 1.5-liter turbo engine, SecuriCode keypad access, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with adjustable lumbar support, a 6-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, dual-zone automatic climate control, rain-sensing wipers, satellite radio, six audio speakers instead of four, FordPass Connect, a reverse sensing system and eligibility for a variety of options the base S doesn’t get, such as a navigation system that upgrades the default central display to an 8-in full-color touchscreen. An optional Technology package for the SE includes the Sync 3 infotainment touchscreen.
The SEL ($29,475) adds to the SE, leather-wrapped steering wheel, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, heated outboard mirrors with turn-signal indicators and LED signature lighting.
In addition to SEL features, the Titanium ($35,235) receives a powerful 2.0-liter turbo engine, 19-in aluminum wheels, fog lights, dual exhaust tips, leather upholstery, heated/ventilated front sport seats, driver’s-seat memory settings, a 10-way power adjustment for the front passenger, remote start, a heated steering wheel, inflatable safety belts, power moonroof, ambient cabin lighting, aluminum pedals and an exclusive 12-speaker Sony audio system with the Sync 3 interface.
The V6 Sport ($40,910) has the most powerful engine and all-wheel drive as standard, 19-in alloy wheels, adjustable suspension, bigger brakes, a rear spoiler, bespoke black mesh grille treatment, four exhaust tailpipes, leather/simulated-suede upholstery, self-dimming driver’s-side mirrors and a 9-speaker sound system.
Options on lower trim levels include various items that come standard on higher trims. Navigation, adaptive cruise control, rain-sensing wipers, an 110-volt outlet, automated parking and a moonroof are among those available extras.
Trunk space measures 16 cu ft. Not the best in the class, but perfectly acceptable.
Safety
The Fusion comes standard with 4-wheel anti-lock disc brakes and eight airbags (front, front side, front knee and full-length side curtain). Inflatable seat belts are standard on Titanium.
Every 2019 Fusion comes with the new Ford Co-Pilot360, including pre-collision assist with emergency braking, blind spot warning with cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control.
In government crash testing, the Fusion received a perfect five stars out of five overall, including five stars for front impacts and four stars for side impacts. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the car its best score of Good in four of its five main categories, with the small-overlap front crash test earning the second-best score of Acceptable.
Behind the Wheel
The front seats are snug. Those accustomed to generous American dimensions might not be so appreciative. No need to worry about rear passengers, though. Maximizing space beneath the elegant roofline was clearly a priority, since even 6-footers have headroom to spare. Legroom is also plentiful.
While there’s a balance between sport and comfort, the Fusion definitely leans more toward the European end of the spectrum. Meaning a generally athletic demeanor. Around town, the trade-off for such poise is a ride quality some might find firmer than they’d like. One aspect that’s top notch by any definition is noise suppression, which approaches luxury grade.
The base 2.5-liter engine is fine, but far from the latest and greatest. The 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder is more in tune with the times, delivering good fuel economy and decent punch. The 2.0-liter turbo is naturally more energetic, but brings extra heft. And given that it comes in the well-equipped Titanium trim, this engine also has to move more weight.
The V6 Sport is the muscle car of the bunch. Its adaptive suspension can read the road ahead and set shock absorption to make pot holes less intrusive. Selecting the Sport setting from the driving modes will also sharpen up steering, throttle and gearshift responses.
Other Cars to Consider
2019 Hyundai Sonata — An appealing alternative, offering sophisticated style, great value and a hybrid variant. Updated for 2018.
2019 Toyota Camry — An all-new generation debuted for 2018, retaining the value for money, strong resale values and reputation for reliability. The range includes a hybrid.
2018 Honda Accord — Also completely new for 2018. Supremely capable and a quality product in virtually all aspects.
2018 Mazda6 — Goes big on style, driving manners, space and equipment. No hybrid, but fuel economy is good in every model.
Used Audi A6 — Buying used brings the chance to head more upscale. For design, technology, driving talent and prestige, the A6 is hard to beat.
Autotrader’s Advice
There’s quite a gap in price between the SE and Titanium models. So buying an SE and spending a little extra on options is a good way to go. Or perhaps the budget can stretch to the Titanium or beyond. Find a Ford Fusion for sale
