10 Things You Need to Know About the 2016 Ford Fusion

The 2016 Ford Fusion continues its reign as one of the most appealing mid-size family sedans on the market. With that rare combination of affordable pricing, an engaging driving experience, and excellent fuel efficiency thanks to its line-up of turbocharged EcoBoost engines, the Ford Fusion makes both logical and emotional arguments to four-door buyers that are further buttressed by its uncommonly appealing styling. Throw in the availability of not one, but two hybrid editions, and it's clear that the Fusion is a front-runner in the mid-size sweepstakes. Let's take a look at ten things you need to know about the 2016 Ford Fusion.

1. The 2016 Ford Fusion Has Style for Days

Right around the time Acura adopted its shield across its entire line-up and Lexus dropped the spindle on an unsuspecting public, the Ford Fusion had the wide-mouth grille thing going on in showrooms across the country. Sure, there might be more than a hint of Aston Martin to be found in the 2016 Ford Fusion's gaping maw, but who doesn't want a little taste of the good life at an affordable price? The Fusion's sleek lines and eye-catching design are continued on the inside of the car where a modern-looking passenger compartment feels well-executed from high quality materials.

2. The 2016 Ford Fusion Is Roomy and Practical

The 2016 Ford Fusion is more than just a pretty face - it also offers a remarkably comfortable ride for as many as five passengers. The first two positions in the Ford Fusion are slightly elevated to provide better sightlines through the front and side glass, while the rear seat enjoys a respectable amount of leg and shoulder room. The Fusion's roofline does plunge towards the tail of the car, which means taller individuals might feel somewhat claustrophobic if relegated to the back row. Making up for it somewhat is a 16 cubic foot trunk, which is on par with the Ford's primary competition in the mid-size class.

3. The 2016 Ford Fusion Outhandles Its Mid-Size Rivals

Few expect an inexpensive four-door sedan like the 2016 Ford Fusion to tick off boxes like 'fun to drive' and 'nimble,' but that's exactly what this mid-sizer manages to do. Thanks to the careful attentions of the Blue Oval's engineering team, the Ford Fusion handles better than most of the cars in its class, all without exacting a penalty in terms of ride comfort or asking buyers to step up to a performance-oriented options package. It also helps that the Ford is one of the few mid-size sedans at its price point to provide the traction-enhancing option of all-wheel drive

4. The 2016 Ford Fusion Offers Four-Cylinder Power Across the Board

The entry-level 2016 Ford Fusion is motivated by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that has been tuned to provide 175 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque. If you're looking for a little more power out of a slightly smaller engine, then the next step up is a 1.5-liter turbocharged EcoBoost four-cylinder that grants you access to 181 horses and 185 lb-ft of twist, but the best performer in the Ford Fusion stable is the sedan's optional 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder motor. Also under the EcoBoost banner, this top tier unit can be counted on to produce 240 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque, and it's the only one of the three that can be paired with the availability of all-wheel drive. Every Fusion is shifted via a six-speed automatic transmission.

5. The 2016 Ford Fusion Uses EcoBoost Technology to Deliver Fuel Efficiency

Given the incremental improvement in power between the 2.5-liter base engine and the pricier 1.5-liter turbo, there must be some other attribute that this EcoBoost unit employs to persuade buyers to upgrade. The additional attraction is fuel efficiency: on top of providing enhanced acceleration the 1.5-liter also returns 25-mpg in city driving and 37-mpg on the highway, numbers that trump the 22-mpg around town and 34-mpg during highway cruising posted by the 2.5-liter motor. Even the 240 horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder leverages EcoBoost turbo technology to squeeze out 22-mpg city and 33-mpg highway (with the latter figure dropping to 31-mpg for all-wheel-drive models).

6. The 2016 Ford Fusion Comes in Three Trim Levels

The 2016 Ford Fusion starts out in S trim (MSRP $22,110), which includes features such as cruise control, 16-inch steel wheels, the SYNC voice command system, Bluetooth connectivity, power windows and door locks, a CD player, automatic headlights, and a folding rear seat. Opting for the Ford Fusion SE (MSRP $23,680) nets you keyless entry, power adjustments for both front seats, a louder stereo system, 17-inch alloy wheels, satellite radio, and heated mirrors. The Fusion Titanium (MSRP $30,640) lords over all with its standard 2.0-liter EcoBoost motor, a stiffer suspension system, the MyFord Touch infotainment interface, parking assistance, keyless ignition and entry, a Sony-branded sound system, dual automatic climate control, heated sport seats, 18-inch wheels, and leather upholstery.

Photo by Ford

7. The 2016 Ford Fusion Provides a Bewildering Number of Options

The 2016 Ford Fusion allows shoppers to customize the car to their heart's content (as long as they can stomach a swelling bottom line on the window sticker). The Ford Fusion S makes available the Appearance package, which dresses up the outside of the car with a mild body kit and larger 18-inch wheels. The Fusion SE benefits from an Appearance package of its own plus a Luxury package (heated leather seats, memory function for the driver, auto-dimming mirrors) and the MyFord Touch Technology package (MyFord Touch infotainment interface, dual automatic climate control, parking assistance). The Fusion Limited and the Fusion Titanium are additionally eligible for the Luxury Driver Assist package (various advanced safety technologies) as well as a heated steering wheel, a navigation system, an automated parallel-parking system, and adaptive cruise control.

8. The 2016 Ford Fusion Can Be Had in a Hybrid Model

For those with a taste for fuel efficiency that the EcoBoost lineup simply can't deliver there is always the 2016 Ford Fusion Hybrid.  The Ford Fusion Hybrid is motivated by a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder working together with an electric motor to produce a total of 188 horsepower, managed by a continuously-variable automatic transmission.  If you're easy on the throttle, you're looking at 44-mpg in the city and 41-mpg on the highway, with a combined fuel mileage rating of 42-mpg - not the top of its class, but certainly efficient enough to earn its green stripes.

9. The 2016 Ford Fusion Energi Delivers Plug-In EV Capability

Over and above the Fusion Hybrid is the 2016 Ford Fusion Energi PHEV. This plug-in electric vehicle takes the Hybrid's gasoline / electric drivetrain (2.0-liter four-cylinder engine plus a single electric motor) and adds a much larger lithium-ion battery pack. The advantage here isn't just more power (the Ford Fusion Energi outpaces its siblings with 195 horses), but also 19 miles of battery-only operation at speeds of up to 85-mph. The battery pack recharges in roughly 7 hours when plugged into a standard wall socket, but a 240v outlet can do the job in only 2.5 hours. When not in EV mode the Fusion Energi returns 40-mpg city and 36-mpg highway.

Photo by Ford

10. The 2016 Ford Fusion Maximizes Advanced Safety Equipment

The 2016 Ford Fusion, of course, offers the standard complement of airbags that have become expected in the mid-size sedan field (including knee airbags for both forward occupants), but it also goes the extra mile with its optional safety equipment. Certain models of the Ford Fusion can be ordered with advanced safety gear such as a lane-keeping assist system and a lane departure warning system, a blind-spot monitoring system, a driver drowsiness monitor, and a forward collision warning system. The Fusion additionally makes inflatable rear seatbelts available, which is a class-exclusive feature.