Car Reviews: 2006 Ford Fusion

Ah, the Ford Taurus. Can any car achieve such a mixture of hatred and love from it's owners? Many found happiness and joy in the low prices of the vehicle, they loved the open space, and the smooth ride (at times) was nice for a car of that price range. Of course, drive your Taurus more than 75,000 miles, and problems start rearing their ugly heads. The steering turns to uncontrollable mush, the transmission and engine decide they don't need you to control the car, and once nice suspension throws the driver over every bump possible. Still, everyone makes mistakes, and if the new Ford Fusion is any kind of apology from Ford, they may be well on their to forgiveness.

For a long, sad time, the Ford Probe probably had the most personality of any Ford vehicle produced. However, with the introduction of the Fusion, that may very well change. Unlike the cookie-cutter Focus, and a host of other bland models, the Fusion has some legitimate style. The front end is smooth, the headlights attractive, and the overall stance of the car really does look sporty. This design is continued throughout the rest of the car, a nicely matched side, with attractive and balanced doors, along with a wide back end with decently sized and nicely complementing tail lights help to round out the appearance package. A small spoiler on the back end does wonders for the vehicle, as do the upgraded wheels and tires. However, even in it's base form, the Fusion is a car that really does inspire a second look. It's sleek, sporty and modern. Unlike some cars in it's class, the Fusion does not overwhelm the driver, nor does it try to be a sports car, it is simply an attractive sedan, and that is definitely a positive for the vehicle.

Moving inside, we see that a little more refinement would have been nice, but there is really nothing to complain about. The overall materials are of reasonable quality, although a little more time spent designing the center console may have greatly helped the overall interior presentation. White glowing gauges have replaced the ugly green dash and center lights, and the interior is definitely comfortable. The driver and front passenger have plenty of room, and the driver's seat offers any number of options in order to make the driver comfortable and feel as if he or she is in complete control of the vehicle. Visibility is good all around, thanks to the large windows and barely slanted windshield. The controls aren't all that intuitive, and it takes a while to get used to turning the heat or stereo on while driving. However, a little time behind the wheel and many of these difficulties go away. The leather is of pretty poor quality, and the cloth seats are actually more comfortable and a lot less hassle in the long run.

However, as good as any car looks and feels, the real test is how it drives, and a little time behind the wheel of the Fusion is likely enough to convert many. The car handles like a sports sedan should, it grips corners nicely and is stable at almost all speeds. Corners are fun, although trying to take them too sharp elicits some body roll. There are two engine options for the Fusion, either a 3.0 liter V6 or a smaller four cylinder. The four cylinder engines are available with a manual transmission, although the V6 is strictly a six speed automatic. However, even the V6 only supplies the car with 221 horse power, which really isn't a whole lot for moving around something like the Fusion. Surprisingly, the four cylinder manual has a decent snap to it, and although no one is going to confuse the fusion with a race car, a little more power would have been nice, or at least the option for a six speed manual gearbox with the V6. Driving for long periods of time is comfortable, although passengers in the back can be a little cramped if too much time passes. However, overall, the Fusion drives well above it's under $20,00 base price, and is surely something that exceeds the previous limits set by a Ford automobile.

No, the Fusion may not be the perfect car. The Mazda 6 is undeniably more fun, the Nissan Altima faster and much sportier, and the Honda Accord likely to last about twice as long. However, the Fusion once again excels at having the lowest price, and even though the name plate may scare some, the Ford Fusion is really a deserving car, and one that is likely to bring happiness to customers for many years to come.