2008 Ford Fusion

The base four-cylinder, 5-speed-manual Fusion S is nicely equipped with variable-assist power steering, tilt/telescopic steering wheel with speed controls, air conditioning, keyless entry, power locks and windows, passive anti-theft system, quad halogen headlamps, speed-sensitive windshield wipers, four-way manual driver seat, rear 60/40-split fold-down bench seat, leather-wrapped shift knob, dual visor vanity mirrors, two-tier center console, dash-top storage compartment, rear-seat armrest with dual cup holders, dual 12-volt power points, four-speaker MP3-capable AM/FM audio with single-disc CD player and auxiliary input jack, and P205/60R-16 tires on 16-inch steel wheels with premium wheel covers.


The mid-range SE adds fog lamps, power mirrors, six-speaker premium audio with in-dash six-disc CD player, six-way power driver seat with manual lumbar adjustment, fold-down front passenger seat, message center with trip computer, steering wheel cruise and audio controls, dual exhaust tips (with the optional V-6 engine), brake-actuated traction control (with the V-6 and AWD) and 16-inch aluminum wheels.

Interior

The top-of-the-line SEL piles on automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, upgraded cloth interior, automatic headlights, keyless entry pad, heated outside mirrors with security approach lamps, an analog clock, a compass, an electrochromatic rearview mirror, P225/50R-17 performance tires on 17-inch aluminum wheels, and SYNC.


In addition to the V-6 and AWD, major stand-alone options include an Audiophile eight-speaker sound system, SIRIUS Satellite Radio, traction control (for front-drive models), heated front seats, leather trimmed seats, voice-activated DVD navigation, interior ambient lighting, the new Reverse Sensing System and (co-developed with Microsoft) Ford's industry-exclusive, voice-activated Ford SYNC hands-free in-car communications and entertainment system (standard on SEL). Also available on SE and SEL models is a creatively named "Moon and Tune Package," which combines the Audiophile sound system with a power moonroof.


Ford is quick to point out that Fusion received the highest possible ratings in both front and side impacts from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in 2007 and in 2006 was named one of the "Best Sedans for Families" by AAA and Parents magazine, based on crash test ratings and family road tests. Its standard Ford Personal Safety System includes six airbags (dual-stage driver and front passenger, front seat thorax side bags and side-impact air curtains), safety belt pretensioners and passenger seat weight and crash severity sensing for the front air bags. Also standard are rear door child safety locks, the LATCH child-safety restraint system and Ford's tire pressure monitoring system.