DriveTech

2006 Ford Fusion

You get a lot for your money with the 2006 Ford Fusion

The Ford Fusion is a winner no matter how you look at it. It's very peppy four-cylinder engine not only gets good performance but 24 miles per gallon in the city and 32 miles per gallon on the freeway - all in a true five-passenger sedan.

This is not a glitzy European sedan that turns heads, but if you look closely at its side profile there is a little BMW look to the Fusion. It has a distinctive grill, OK taillights (I'm not crazy about the gray molding surrounding the taillight assembly), oversized doors for easy in and out and a new color combination - titanium green exterior with a light stone cloth interior. Plus, it shares its Mazda platform with Mercury Milan and Lincoln
Zephyr.

Even though the Fusion is an economical car, it has plenty of choices. There are two power plants. The first is a four-cylinder that develops 160 horsepower at 6,250 rpm and 156 pound-foot of torque at 4,250 rpm. Second is a 3.0-liter V6 that develops 221 horsepower at 6,250 rpm and 205 pound-foot of torque at 4,800 rpm. The V6 gets an estimated 21 miles per gallon in the city and 29 miles per gallon on the freeway.

There are three transmissions available. The four-cylinder model is a sporty five-speed manual, which I hear is a blast to drive. But be aware that the five-speed electronically controlled automatic can get better fuel mileage. If you opt for the V6 engine, you can only get the six-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission. Can you imagine a six-speed automatic in a car that costs less than $25,000? Ford's light bulb is burning bright with this car.

The front and passenger seats adjust manually. There's a ratchet mechanism that allows drivers to raise or lower the complete seat for better visibility. The steering wheel tilts as well as telescopes. The cruise controls are mounted in the steering wheel. There's an armrest between the driver and passenger with two storage areas incorporated into the center console, which also houses the transmission shifter and a couple of cup holders. The Fusion has six cup holders total. Do I see a cup war brewing again?

The dash is very functional, yet nothing fancy - just good controls that are easy operate and the gauges are big and easy to read in day or night. The power windows have "power-down" on the driver door. If you need to ride in the back seat, Ford has devised a latch system that flips the seats forward without crawling into the trunk. Clever. The back seat also flips down with a spring action for added storage and to release the seat backs. This is a
true three-passenger rear seat that's very comfortable for adults as well as kids. And all the glass is solar treated for comfort on a hot sunny day.

The Fusion comes standard with a great sound system that includes AM/FM/single CD plus MP3 capabilities, but there's also the opportunity to upgrade.
Safety features include crumple zones, Ford's personal safety system along with a side impact system, child tethering system, four-wheel disc brakes, a battery saver, plus a whole lot more. Ford is expecting a five-star rating in the crash tests.

I'm very impressed with the Fusion. Not only does it drive well but the handling is superb; except for the turning radius, which a little wide for my taste. With a $19,215 sticker price (plus tax and license), you get a lot for your money. And that's Ford's plan to get buyers to look and test drive the all-new Fusion.

I think once you drive the Fusion, you will be an owner. So head out to North County Ford (where I got mine) or your local Ford dealer to try it out. Be sure to drive both the four-cylinder and the V6, and ask yourself how fast do you need to get to 65 miles per hour?