The 2013 Fusion is all about drivetrain options. Buyers have many engine and transmission choices, all of which produce stellar fuel economy. Engines include a 2.5L 4-cylinder, a 1.6L 4-cylinder turbo, a 2.0L 4-cylinder turbo, a 2.0L 4-cylinder hybrid and a mostly electric plug-in hybrid. Six-speed manuals and automatics are available transmission options and the Fusion is available in all-wheel-drive for those who need it.
For those looking for efficiency, the Hybrid, Plug in Hybrid and 1.6 Turbo are the engines of choice. The 1.6 Turbocharged engine is the simplest of the three, without any hybrid elements. Despite this it still manages to return 26 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway. The Hybrid on the other hand will sip gasoline to the tune of 47 mpg in the city and 44 mpg on the highway. Finally the plug-in hybrid is capable of running only on electricity as long as it is charged often enough, potentially limiting gasoline consumption to almost nothing.
The Fusion comes in three basic trims: S, SE and Titanium. S models are the most basic, but still come nicely equipped as is appropriate for a midsized sedan. The basic 2.5L engine is the only engine available on S models, so hyper-milers may want to look elsewhere. Features include power door locks and windows, halogen projector headlamps, a tilting and telescoping steering wheel and a trip computer. Ford's SYNC system is standard as is an AM/FM/CD/MP3 player with an auxiliary input jack. The stereo, along with the cruise control can be operated by buttons mounted on the steering wheel.
The SE model enhances the level of basic equipment and also allows buyers to choose from some of the more interesting drivetrain options. The 1.6L turbo, the 2.0L turbo and the 2.0L Hybrid are all options for the SE. Standard equipment on the SE include a 10-way power adjustable driver's seat, heated mirrors and 17-inch wheels.
Stepping up to the Titanium edition will net buyers more of a mini luxury car than anything else. Starting at just under $31,000, the Titanium edition comes with the powerful 2.0L turbocharged engine and is the only model available with all-wheel drive. 18-inch polished aluminum wheels are standard. Seating surfaces are leather and heated and a 12-speaker Sony audio system with satellite radio provide in car entertainment. SYNC systems on the Titanium also include MyFord Touch, meaning there is an 8" LCD touchscreen in the center console that houses the optional navigation system. Two smaller configurable LCD screens are also embedded in the instrument cluster.
Safety features on the Fusion are extensive. The car houses eight airbags as well as the standard suite of electronic devices, including anti-lock brakes, traction control and stability control. Emergency brake assistance is also standard on all Fusions as is an electronic parking brake.
The 2013 Fusion has been given a complete overhaul. The new car has a variety of powertrain choices all of which are extremely efficient. Styling has been improved by incorporating Ford's modern design language, connecting the car with the lower-priced Focus, while maintaining an upscale look.
The Ford Fusion is a mid-sized sedan and must therefore compete in an incredibly competitive segment, going up against heavyweights such as the Toyota Camry. Ford has priced the car accordingly with models starting at just under $22,500. On the other end of the price spectrum, the Fusion can be outfitted with a variety of luxury equipment, providing a sensible alternative to the entry level cars sold by several luxury marques.
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