2006 Ford Fusion V6 SE

Fusion looks like no other production car in the company's 103-year history. Its bold face, dominated by three thick, chromed bars above the bumper, two more below it and rounded-square headlamps, comes almost intact from the 2003 427 concept car. We like it, and Ford hopes you do, too, because it's the new Ford passenger-car face. Five Hundred gets it next year, followed by future models. The profile is sleek and wedgy, with a high rear deck (for aero efficiency and trunk room) and triangular taillamps with bright borders and large backup lenses.

Interior

The interior is modern, upscale and well crafted, with precision-look, satin-aluminum-trimmed round gauges, soft-touch materials and easy-to-use ergonomics. It challenges the midsize class leaders in roominess, including front shoulder room, rear legroom and cargo capacity. A choice of three themes (beige, charcoal black or two-tone camel and charcoal) lets buyers personalize their driving environments. The cabin is remarkably quiet at speed, the front buckets are comfortable and supportive, the rear cabin is surprisingly roomy, and the available leather trim impresses with color-contrasting stitching.


The Fusion feels much like the fun-to-drive Mazda6 upon which it's based, only smoother. Its chassis is 13 percent stiffer, which allows its 4-wheel independent suspension (short/long-arm front, multi-link rear) to absorb life's lumps and bumps without compromising steering or handling response. "We spent a lot of time to get just the right steering feel," says Fusion Chief Engineer Brian Vought. The highly effective brakes are 4-wheel power discs with optional 4-sensor, 4-channel ABS and electronic brake force distribution (EBD).


The standard Duratec 23 2.3-liter four, a more powerful version of the one optionally available in Focus, generates a respectable 160 hp and 150 lb.-ft. of torque, yet scores 32 (I4 auto) mpg on the EPA highway test. The available Duratec 30 3.0-liter V-6 is good for 221 hp (18 more than in the larger Five Hundred), 205 lb.-ft. and an impressive 29 mpg EPA highway. Both boast all-aluminum construction, dual overhead cams, four valves per cylinder, intake Variable Cam Timing (i-VCT) and electronic throttle control. The inline four mated with the optional 5-speed automatic transmission makes the Fusion Ford's third California Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (PZEV). It can also be teamed with a standard 5-speed manual, while the V-6 drives through Ford's advanced 6-speed automatic. Both move the 3,100-lb. Fusion smartly, the V-6 with strong authority.

Performance

Included on the long list of standard features are Continental "ContiProContact" all-season tires on 16-inch wheels, 4-speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3 stereo, power door locks with remote keyless entry, power windows, 60/40 spring-assisted fold-down rear seats, air conditioning, speed control, tilt and telescoping steering wheel, enhanced side intrusion protection system and Ford's Personal Safety System. The top-of-the-line SEL gets Michelin "Pilot HIX MXM4" tires on 17-inch aluminum wheels, fog lamps, automatic temperature control, premium 6-CD/MP3 6-speaker stereo, wood or piano black interior trim and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio and climate controls.