The Ford Fusion is a five-door hatchback based on the Fiesta but is slightly larger and has a higher driving position.
Standard equipment on all Ford Fusion’s comprises remote central locking, CD sound system, split-folding rear seats and manual adjustment for the steering wheel and driver’s seat height. All but the entry-level Style models have air conditioning and almost all have alloy wheels. Options throughout the range include metallic paint, side and curtain air bags, Bluetooth and MP3 connectivity plus satellite navigation and parking sensors.
Most Ford Fusion models also come with the option of leather upholstery and in the case of the 1.4 and 1.6 petrol models there is automatic transmission for £500 and £1100 respectively.
The Ford Fusion gets a four-star EuroNCAP safety rating for adult occupant protection and comes with anti-lock brakes, a rear three-point centre seat belt and the option of side and curtain air bags in addition to those in the front. Half the models in the range also come with the option of ESP Electronic Stability Programme that enables the driver to continue steering for crash avoidance even when braking heavily. Emissions range from a CO2 figure of 119g/km in the case of the 1.6 TDCi to 122g/km for the 1.4 TDCi, with the petrol models having CO2 figures of 154g/km for the 1.4 and 157g/km for the 1.6.
The entry-level Fusion 1.4-litre petrol engine has a power output of 78bhp, which means a 0-60mph acceleration time of 14 seconds, a top speed of 101mph and economy of 43.5mpg. The 1.6-litre model generates 99bhp and takes 11.1 seconds to reach 60mph, with a top speed of 111mph and economy of 42.8mpg. The 1.4 TDCi has a power rating of 67bhp and a figure for torque, or pulling power of 118lb/ft. This translates into a 0-60mph acceleration time of 16.3 seconds, with a top speed of 98mph and economy of 61.4mpg. There is a larger diesel unit of 1.6 litres, which generates 89bhp of power and 150lb/ft of torque. The 0-60mph time is 12.9 seconds, with a 109mh top speed and average economy of 62.8mpg.
The Ford Fusion prices start at £11,595 for the 1.4 Style, which also comes in Style Climate, Zetec Climate and 1.4+ guises with increments of £600 to cover the cost of the steadily-rising equipment list. The 1.6 Zetec Climate model is £13,395 and the 1.6 + is £13,995. The 1.4 TDCi range encompasses the Style, Style Climate, Zetec Climate and 1.4 TDCi + with prices starting at £12,295 and rising by £600 increments. There are two 1.6 TDCi models, the Zetec Climate costing £14,095 and the 1.6 TDCi + at £14,695.