Ford tweaked the Fusion for 2010 and the results are remarkable.
Starting with exterior styling, the 2010 Fusion looks more upscale and sportier than the previous version. I like its aggressive nose, domed hood and tasteful curves.
Last year's Fusion wasn't hard on the eyes, but the 2010 Fusion is so much better looking that you'll feel proud having this midsize sedan parked in your driveway, especially if you opt for the all-new Sport version.
The
2010 Ford Fusion Sport provides an added level of excitement with a unique lower grille, sporty side rocker moldings (I still call 'em ground effects), a deck-lid spoiler, bright-tip dual exhaust outlets and snazzy five-spoke 18-inch painted aluminum wheels.
And that's not all. Sitting in the Fusion Sport's engine bay is a powerful 263-horsepower 3.5-liter V-6 engine that is a delight whether it's treated mildly or wildly. The Sport's V-6 quickly put a smile on my face.
The high-output V-6 is mated to a smooth-shifting six speed automatic transmission with manual shift capabilities. A manual gearbox is not available and I must tell you that the automatic's manual mode isn't as good as having total control. Still, I wouldn't let that stop me from signing the papers for the Fusion Sport.
Make mine an all-wheel-drive model like my tester and I'll be golden for year-round fun. My 2010 Ford Fusion Sport AWD tester was so much fun to drive that I felt guilty leaving it parked.
I would rank the Fusion Sport as one of the more spirited midsize sedans you can get. Acceleration and handling are very good. With all-wheel drive, traction is very good, too. The tires on my 2010 Ford Fusion Sport tester were 225/45R18 Goodyear Eagle RS-A tires.
They're pretty good but aren't as highly rated as some of the other high-performance all-season radials. As for steering,
the Fusion Sport's hydraulic-assisted rackand-pinion gearbox offers better feel and feedback than the electrical-assisted units found in all other Fusion models.
The Fusion Sport has a well-tuned suspension, too, that is neither too harsh nor too soft. The ride is favorable, but I did notice that there isn't enough headroom in the back seat for 6-footers.
That's something that I've found lacking in a number of other midsize sedans, too.
Yet, the rest of Fusion's cabin, especially the Sport model, is quite delicious.
The Fusion Sport features an interior that is nice-looking and more functional than many of its competitors. First, I must tell you that I enjoyed the look and feel of my tester's standard leather-trimmed seats.
Charcoal black is standard, but you can opt for Sport Blue or Sport Red accents, depending on exterior color.
I liked the Sport Blue interior accents in my tester. Not only did the center stack feature a sporty blue appliqué, but the seats had blue inserts as well as blue stitching. Some may not like all that eye candy but I liked it.
I also liked the sporty instrumentation in my tester and I'd be remiss if I didn't tell you about the available ambient lighting system that lets you select from a wide variety of colors to suit your mood.
SYNC is another favorite of mine. Ford (thanks to Microsoft) has a winner here with a system that fully integrates Bluetooth phones and media players. I believe SYNC is one of many reasons Ford's popularity has grown significantly of late.
If you haven't driven a Ford lately, you really should. If you need a great-looking midsize sedan that's fun to drive and offers a long list of techno goodies, check out the Fusion.
2010 FORD FUSION SPORTENGINE: 263-horsepower 3.5-liter V-6
TRANSMISSION: six-speed automatic
DRIVETRAIN: all-wheel drive
FUEL ECONOMY: 17 city/24 highway
BASE PRICE: $27,625
AS TESTED: not available
WEB SITE: www.fordvehicles.com