Ford Fusion and Fusion Hybrid Earn Top Score in Crash Test

Ford has a lot riding on its new Fusion sedan. The mid-size segment is a hotly contested market and Ford plans on making a huge impact. So far things are going well, with the new sedan winning our Car of the Year award, and now Ford has one more feather to add to its cap. The new Fusion and Fusion Hybrid have just been awarded a five-star overall rating in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) NCAP crash test. This big safety news comes right after the Fusion won the Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS in December. Essentially, this makes the new Fusion one of the highest rated cars in the segment for safety. Much of the credit for winning the awards goes to the new Personal Safety System™. This system features a collection of new seat belt technologies and eight total airbags. The airbags in particular are very advanced and feature new advancements, like venting technology, that are designed to reduce impact forces and occupant injury.

The Personal Safety System is controlled via the restraint control module, or RCM. The RCM tracks information from the crash sensors, front outboard belt buckle switches, weight sensors and even the driver-seat track position, to adjust the safety systems to the occupants. This tailored approach means that the belt tensioners and airbags will only deploy as much as necessary, reducing potential injury. Safety is about preventing collisions as much as it protecting occupants and the Fusion also comes packed with a full set of technologies like Lane Keeping Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Rearview Camera and Hills Start Assist. Combining all these advanced systems together is how Ford has been able to take home top honors in the crash test ratings. Only time, and sales, will tell if the new Ford Fusion and Fusion Hybrid will woo the nation, but things are sure looking good.