The easy part is over.
At first blush that may seem funny, but it’s true: bringing the new 2006 Ford Fusion sedan to market was the easy part of a long journey Ford hopes to make from sedan- selling afterthought to viable challenger. And while the engineers, designers, marketers and bean counters huddled in the hallways of Dearborn, Michigan would hardly characterize years of hard labor and millions of dollars spent as easy, it is – when compared to what’s next: Convincing the American masses that Ford now has what it has lacked for nigh-on 10 years or more – a serious, import-chomping mid-sized sedan.
Consumers who get behind the wheel and take a test drive will discover that the 2006 Ford Fusion is a nice-driving, comfortable and stylish sedan.
ModelsAvailable options on the 2006 Ford Fusion S model include a five-speed automatic transmission, a Safety and Security package (with seat-mounted side airbags, first- and second-row side curtain airbags and an anti-theft perimeter alarm), and four-wheel antilock brakes. At press time, option pricing was not available.
Pricing
As for pricing, Ford has done quite a job of it with the Fusion. The base entry-level 2006 Ford Fusion S model goes for an MSRP of $17,995, including a $650 destination charge. That’s slightly less than base trim competitors such as the Hyundai Sonata, Toyota Camry or Honda Accord, and it gets you a five-speed manual transmission, four-wheel-disc brakes behind 16-inch wheels, an AM/FM stereo with a single CD/MP3 player and four speakers (though there’s no easily accessible auxiliary jack for iPod connectivity), power door locks, power windows with driver’s door one-touch down function, and remote keyless entry.
Features
Standard features on the 2006 Ford Fusion include a five-speed manual transmission, four-wheel-disc brakes behind 16-inch wheels, an AM/FM stereo with a single CD/MP3 player and four speakers (though there’s no easily accessible auxiliary jack for iPod connectivity), power door locks, power windows with driver’s door one-touch down function, and remote keyless entry. Also included are rear 60/40 fold-down seats, air-conditioning, and a tilt/telescoping steering wheel.
S Options
Available options on the 2006 Ford Fusion S model include a five-speed automatic transmission, a Safety and Security package (with seat-mounted side airbags, first- and second-row side curtain airbags and an anti-theft perimeter alarm), and four-wheel antilock brakes. At press time, option pricing was not available.
SE, SEL Options
Fusion SE models add the availability of 16-inch aluminum wheels; a six-speaker, six-CD/MP3 stereo or an Audiophile, eight-speaker six-CD/MP3 stereo; leather seating surfaces; and a power moonroof. For buyers who want more power but don’t wish to upgrade to the top-trim SEL, the Fusion SE is offered with a 3.0-liter V6 engine hooked to a six-speed automatic transmission. Traction control is also available on V6 versions of the Fusion SE. Pricing for the SE V6 model starts at an MSRP of $21,275. Though pricing was not announced for the four-cylinder Fusion SE, expect an MSRP between the base $17,995 and the four-cylinder SEL, which is priced at $20,500. Those opting for the top-of-the-line Fusion SEL get standard features that include fog lamps, 17-inch aluminum wheels, automatic temperature control, a six-disc CD changer/MP3 stereo with six speakers, wood or piano black interior trim, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio and climate controls. Equipped with the optional five-speed automatic transmission, a Fusion SEL with a four-cylinder engine will carry an MSRP of under $20,500. Options for the SEL include the V6 engine, heated leather seats, and a Premium package that includes heated outside mirrors with puddle lamps, an automatic-dimming rear view mirror, a compass, and automatic headlamps.
Hybrid Model
Expect a hybrid version of the Ford Fusion to debut for 2008, but in the meantime your choices are limited four-banger and V6 models that produce less horsepower than many competitors, though the inclusion of Ford’s smooth six-speed automatic transmission with the V6 should even-steven things on the road.
Interior
American buyers like simplicity and style – but not ostentatious style – and we like it when the touch of things feels good to our fingertips. Again, the 2006 Ford Fusion meets our American standard for interior excellence, with soft-touch surfaces everywhere, quietly bold styling and simplicity in its layout that makes driving a pleasure.
Front Driver Side
The 2006 Ford Fusion has quality front seats, well bolstered for the daily commute, a cool instrumentation and gauge layout that’s simple and refreshing to look at, and plenty of room – especially upfront legroom. At no time during a 90-mile drive through the canyons of Los Angeles did fatigue or muscle crimp crop up.
Exterior
The result of such conflict, perhaps, is the Fusion, with its bold front and import-esqe rear. Inspired by the 2001 Ford 427 concept car, the Fusion sports a bold and attractive three-bar grille that is going to become the face of Ford in coming years, and adds strangely-angled trapezoidal headlights on either side.
Exterior
Inspired by the 2001 Ford 427 concept car, the Fusion sports a bold and attractive three-bar grille that is going to become the face of Ford in coming years, and adds strangely-angled trapezoidal headlights on either side. Front to rear, the sedan gets boring pretty quickly, culminating with a high and short rear decklid with just enough style to matter. Part form and function, the high decklid and compact suspension setup enable the Fusion to offer a spacious trunk with flat cargo space and a low liftover height.
Specifications
Competitors: Chevrolet Cobalt, Chevrolet Impala, Chevrolet Malibu, Honda Accord, Honda Civic, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima , Mazda Mazda 6, Mitsubishi Galant, Nissan Altima, Pontiac G6, Suzuki Verona, Volkswagen Jetta
Photos courtesy of Ford Motor Corp.
