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The Greenest Car of 2024 Isn’t an EV2019 Ford Fusion: Sedan Excellence
The 2019 Ford Fusion may be cut from the lineup, but it’s possibly the best sedan Ford has ever produced. Could it be the one for you?
What’s New for the 2019 Ford Fusion?
The 2019 Ford Fusion lost one of its many trim options when Ford dropped the top-of-the-line Platinum trim. However, with pressure from the competition, Ford added standard safety features with its feature rich Co-Pilot360 system. This system includes a forward collision mitigation warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection. These safety updates, additional turbo engine options, and Ford’s exterior refresh continued to make the seven-year-old Fusion a sporty alternative in a very conservative mid-size sedan market.
2019 Ford Fusion – ford.com | Shop 2019 Ford Fusion on Carsforsale.com
The Breakdown
Available engine options are nice for segement
Handsome interior design elements
Lacking quality of interior components
Performance from hybrids is disheartening
2019 Fusion Specs
- 175 horsepower from base engine
- 175 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 5 available trims
- 16 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- Available SYNC 3 infotainment system
- Standard Co-Pilot360 safety suite
2019 Ford Fusion Powertrain
The Ford Fusion offers a list full of powertrain choices. The starter, though, is an “I’ll eventually get you there” 175 horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder with the Fusion’s trim-wide six-speed transmission. Unfortunately, the 2.5-liter isn’t just mediocre in power; it’s also near the bottom at gas mileage with up to 26 mpg.
For a decent mix of power and fuel mileage, you’ll want the next engine on the list: a 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder that churns out 181 horsepower and 185 lb-ft torque while getting up to 31 mpg. For more power, there’s the 245 horsepower 2.0-liter or the mighty 2.7-liter twin-turbo V6 that howls with 325 horsepower.
But wait, there’s more! For you, Ford has also made the Fusion Hybrid with its 2.0-liter four, CVT, and an electric motor that drives a combined 195 horsepower. That’s not all, however. With the Fusion Hybrid powertrain, Ford adds the Fusion plug-in hybrid that gets a much larger battery pack to allow you more miles on EV only. As we said, it’s an extensive menu of choices.
When it comes to driving pleasure, each flavor or 2019 Ford Fusion will give you a very comfortable ride, and most provide excellent handling for an affordable midsized. The truth is, I would put it above the Honda Accord and the Camry on the ride, performance, and handling scale.
A few sour spots and one sweet spot show up, however. The sour spot is Ford’s Fusion Energi, which has ridiculously light steering although its ride on a straight road is smooth. The sweet spot was, by far, the Fusion Sport. It has the ultra-powerful twin-turbo V6 that also powers the highly capable Ford Edge ST and sports standard all-wheel-drive and an active suspension. It’s a competent sports sedan that rivals overall performance, with European sedans costing twice its MSRP. If you can find one, you won’t be disappointed.
2019 Ford Fusion Fuel Economy & MPG
As you would expect, with the plethora of Fusion engine choices, EPA fuel economy numbers are also as numerous. As much as we like Ford’s EcoBoost engines, we’ve voiced our opinions of how there’s not much Eco when driving them in everyday traffic. Being more sport, they do use a lot of turbo power, and that uses more fuel.
Regardless, you’ll get a low of 26 mpg from the V6 and a little less from the 2.5-liter four to a high of close to 40 mpg with the plug-in hybrid Energi. EPA predicts that the 1.5-liter turbo will get a high of 31 mpg, but we would suggest that you temper your expectations.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
Unlike some other vehicles, the Ford Fusion follows the “you get what you pay for” mantra. As a result, a top-of-the-line 2019 Fusion Sport interior looks like it’s from a completely different car compared to the base model Fusion S. While the SE and up get an 8-inch screen touchscreen with SYNC 3, the S gets no screen at all.
There’s also a distinct difference in material quality in the S trim. The S, according to dealers, has been produced so Ford can have a low-priced model to bring you to the dealership. But you’ll discover it’s not what you want to buy.
All of that being said, the SE, SEL, Titanium, and Sport are excellent and affordable options. The dash and center console have an up-to-date design with easily accessed controls. Ford has also replaced the shift lever in the 2019 Fusion with a console-mounted knob. Not our favorite, but it saves space, to be sure.
The seats are consistently firm and supportive, whether it’s cloth or leather, and the rear legroom is spacious. We do feel the headroom can be tight, but that’s the only issue. Of course, the more you’re willing to pay, the more luxurious things get. The Titanium and Sport are filled with class-leading luxury and conveniences.
Ford gives the 2019 Fusion 16 cu-ft of cargo space when loading up the trunk, which is a little better than class standards. However, as in every hybrid and plug-in hybrid, you’ll lose a considerable amount of space in the trunk because of the battery packs. The Fusion Energi hybrid trunk comes in at 12 cu-ft, or about the amount of space you’ll get in a Toyota Corolla. Unfortunately, the 2019 Ford Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid only has 8 cu-ft, severely limiting its use.
Entertainment & Technology
Ford’s Fusion 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system is excellent with the SE, SEL, Titanium, and Sport trims. SYNC 3 is one of the best infotainment systems you can use with its superb features, quickly learned user interface, and quick response. Unfortunately, you’re stuck with no screen for the S trim and the limited functionality of a voice-operated SYNC system. At least there’s that.
In the SE and higher trims, you have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto plus multiple USB ports. WIFI is standard, beginning at the SEL trim, and you can also get an available 12-speaker Sony sound system that’s standard on the Titanium and Sport.
Safety Features
The 2019 Ford Fusion received a 5-star crash rating from the NHTSA and a Good rating from IIHS. Assisting in this performance is Ford’s new standard Co-Pilot360 safety suite with features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, and available adaptive cruise control.
2019 Ford Fusion Trims & Pricing
S – $20,847
The 2019 Fusion S front-wheel drive is powered by a 175-horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque 4-cylinder engine mated with a six-speed transmission. Although the S trim doesn’t have a touch screen, it does come with Ford’s SYNC voice-activated system, a decent-sounding four-speaker stereo, and a rearview camera. Fords Co-Pilot360 Standard Protect is also included and features lane keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, forward collision mitigation, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and Ford MyKey.
SE – $22,336
The Fusion SE comes with a slightly more powerful 181-horsepower 1.5-liter EcoBoost 4-cylinder engine. In addition, the SE comes with Ford’s excellent SYNC 3 infotainment system running on an 8-inch touch screen, and you can get a WIFI hot spot that can entertain ten connections. HD and satellite radio play through a six-speaker audio system, and there’s a dual-climate control plus power-adjustable driver and passenger seats.
SEL – $23,212
The 2019 Fusion SEL gains everything from the SE trim and adds leather upholstery, heated front seats, and remote start.
Titanium – $25,784
The 2019 Fusion Titanium has an excellent sounding 12-speaker Sony audio system, moonroof, navigation, ventilated front sport seats, rear parking sensors and adaptive cruise control added to the Co-Pilot360 system.
Sport – $31,925
The high-performance 2019 Fusion Sport comes standard with a 325-horsepower, 2.7-liter turbocharged V6 engine, and all-wheel drive with 19-inch wheels.
Warranties
With no complimentary scheduled maintenance, Ford‘s warranty is pretty mediocre compared to competitors. However, you’ll still get a limited warranty of 3-year or 36,000-mile and a 5-year or 60,000-mile powertrain warranty. In addition, Ford provides standard roadside assistance on every new car purchase.
What we think
2019 Ford Fusion – ford.com | Shop 2019 Ford Fusion on Carsforsale.com
When looking at the 2019 Ford Fusion, you’re considering soon to be the last of the Ford sedans. The SEL is a very desirable high-value choice that’s economical, comfortable, and fun-to-drive. Of course, you don’t need to get the Sport to have fun but, if you want a complete sedan to compete with the best performance models, it’s the only item of choice on the Ford Fusion lineup.
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