2017 Ford Fusion

The 2017 Ford Fusion comes in 5 trim levels: S, SE, Titanium, Platinum, and Sport. All the trims except the S can be equipped with an optional AWD drivetrain. The S and SE come equipped with a 2.5L in-4 engine and an optional 1.5L turbocharged engine. The 2.0L Turbo mill is standard on the Titanium and Platinum models. The Sport trim comes strictly with the twin-turbo V6 and with a standard AWD drivetrain.

Even though the base trim feels a bit basic when it comes to equipment, the car comes packing in a whole lot more features as you go up the line. 16-inch aluminum wheels, 4.2-inch infotainment screen, 4-speaker stereo, single-zone A/C, cloth upholstery, and power mirror are some of the features that come in as standard. As you go up, amenities like premium leather upholstery, leather-wrapped steering, heating function for steering, seats, and mirrors, power moonroof, premium audio system, voice-activated infotainments, and advanced driver assistance tech all come in as a part of the package.

Which Trim should you buy?

It depends what are the things you’re looking for in a sedan. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly and practical sedan, the SE seems a great option. But if you’re looking for performance, Sport is the one to go for. However, if you want the best of both worlds, we suggest you put your money on Titanium. The Titanium comes with a standard fitted 2L turbo inline-4 engine, some best-in-class features, and plenty of options to choose from for further customization.

The power and performance depend on the money you’re ready to spend for the Fusion. You get 4 engine choices. The S and SE trims are powered by a 2.5L inline-4 engine mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. You only get a standard FWD drivetrain configuration while SE can be equipped with an optional AWD drivetrain. This engine generates 175 hp and 175 lb-ft. It helps the sedan to accelerate from 0-60 mph in 8.5 seconds and cover a quarter-mile within 16.3 seconds. The engine feels feeble in terms of power and is best suited for city driving. The optional 1.5L EcoBoost 4 pot in the SE trim comes mated to a 6-speed SelectShift automatic transmission. The turbocharged nature helps it offer slightly better power and torque. The engine manages to churn out 181 hp and 185 lb-ft. 

The Titanium and Platinum trims come equipped with a more powerful 2L EcoBoost Inline-4 engine that churns out 245 hp and 275 lb-ft. The better power offers better performance to the car, resulting in better acceleration and speed. The engine is mated to a standard 6-speed automatic like the rest and can be had in both FWD or AWD. The Sport variant gets a new 2.7L Twin Turbo V6 engine that churns out 325 hp and 380 ft-lb of torque. The Sport variant is mated to 6-speed automatic as well and comes in standard AWD configuration. This trim would get you to 60 in just 5.3 seconds, blazing past the quarter-mile marker in an impressive 13.9 seconds.

The Honda Accord is the cheapest car among all rivals but also happens to be the most powerful in its base avatar, posting a 0-60mph time of just 7.6 seconds. The Altima, despite sporting a CVT, comes in the second position with an 8-second sprint, which is surprising. Toyota Camry offers slightly better output than the Ford, but does an identical 0-60mph run in 8.5 seconds, the slowest figure of the bunch. However, equip it with a twin-turbo V6 and the tables turn quickly in favor of the Ford.

How well does the 2017 Ford Fusion handle?

When it comes to handling, the 2017 Fusion is similar to the likes of the Honda Accord. Although it resembles an Aston Martin when you look at the front fascia, it doesn’t drive like one. But it does justice to its sporty appeal. Despite being heavy, the body rolls are kept well in control. The power assist steering feels well-weighted, smooth, and responsive. It feels super light while in use on the streets and provides a decent amount of confidence when blasting to the freeways in higher places. 

The suspension is tuned for more comfort and is not very stiff as you expect it to be considering its sporty appeal. However, the chassis feels well-balanced in corners and the tires do provide decent amounts of traction on dry tarmac. The 2017 Fusion, unlike its rivals, can be had in AWD drivetrain configuration as well which proves to become a significant advantage if you live in places that have harsh winters. Don’t mind throwing a couple of grand extra on it as it adds both practically and definitely boosts the overall safety. 

2017 Ford Fusion-Braking Performance

As standard, the front comes equipped with 11.8-inch brake rotors while the rear gets 11.9-inch brake rotors. The disc brakes are further appointed with ABS, EBD, Power-assisted parking brake, Emergency Brake Assist, and Brake Actuated Traction Control. The brakes are responsive and stop the 2017 Ford Fusion from 60 mph within 122 feet which is pretty decent considering the fact that it weighs more than 3,470 pounds.

The Ford Fusion does well in braking performance considering its hefty curb weight owing to the fact that it has got the biggest hardware in this segment. Nissan Altima, being much lighter, stops at 121 feet. The Toyota meanwhile takes about 126 feet to come to a complete halt from the same speeds. There is no official data on the Accord, but being the lightest one here, it should manage to stop under 125 feet.

The Ford Fusion’s fuel economy depends on the engine choice. The base 2.5L inline-4 engine manages to return 21, 32, and 25 mpg in the city, highways, and combined driving conditions respectively. With a large 16.5-gallon fuel tank, the car manages to offer 528 miles on the highway. There are 3 other engine options that offer better power and efficiency. The 1.5L turbo inline-4 engine returns around 23mpg in the city and 34mpg on the highways. 

The 2.0L EcoBoost engine returns 21 and 25 mpg in the city and highway driving conditions respectively. The Sport variant comes with a 2.7L twin-turbo V6 engine that churns high power and torque but offers lesser efficiency. The V6 engine returns only 17mpg and 16mpg in the city and highway driving cycles respectively.

We expected the Fusion’s engine to be economical because of the low power it offers. But, in reality, that is not the case. Moreover, it has the smallest fuel tank in the lot which affects its driving range as well. On the contrary, Nissan’s Altima offers the best fuel economy in the lot at 31 MPG combined, all thanks to the CVT unit. It also comes equipped with the largest fuel tank in the lot which puts its driving range well over 700 miles on the highway. The Toyota and the Honda, on the other hand, offer similar economies, fuel capacity, and range which are decent for this class.

The 2017 Fusion comes with a slightly refreshed interior. Compared to the previous MY, the cabin is now more spacious and crafted with plush materials. The standard shifter gets replaced by a Jaguar-inspired rotary dial. The cabin can seat 5 people with an adequate amount of room for passengers both at the front and back. The seats are padded well, rigid, and offer around 58-inches of shoulder room. The front rows offer around 44.3-inches of legroom while the rear bench occupants get around 38.3-inches of it. 

The standard features in the S include cloth seats, 6-way manually adjustable front seats, single-zone manual AC, and tilt-telescopic steering. As you move up the trim ladder you get better interior features. The seats come wrapped in leather or premium leather and can be power adjusted in 10/6-ways for driver and passenger. For temperature control, Dual-zone automatic climate control with rear vents is offered. Apart from these, you can customize the cabin to make it more functional and enhance the passenger’s experience via the optional packages. At the rear, you get 16 cu-ft cargo space which is the biggest we have tested. Furthermore, you can fold the rear seats in a 60/40 split for more space.

All the sedans come with a 5-seater accommodation. The Nissan Altima offers the best space in the front row while the Camry offers the most spacious rear seats. The Fusion offers the largest cargo trunk and a more balanced cabin to put things in perspective. The Camry also offers a decent compromise between size and practicality while offering the best shoulder room on both rows. Standout interior features of the 2017 Ford Fusion are:

• 10-way power-adjustable driver seat 
• 6-way power-adjustable passenger seats
• Heated and ventilated seats
• Premium leather upholstery
• Dual-zone automatic AC w/ rear vents
• Heated, premium leather-wrapped steering wheel

What’s there to keep you entertained?

The infotainment system that you get with the 2017 Ford Fusion depends on the trim you buy. The base trim comes with all the essential infotainment features. As standard, you get a 4.2” touch LCD run by Ford’s SYNC. The display is coupled to 4-speaker audio. Features like Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, 911 Assist, Bluetooth services and USB smart charging comes standard. 

The higher trim levels come with better or added features. The SE trim gets an upgraded 8-inch infotainment screen with 6-speaker audio and a trial SiriusXM subscription. The Titanium and Platinum come with a premium 12-speaker audio system by Sony, a Voice-activated navigation system, and a 5-year subscription to SiriusXM Traffic & Travel Link.

Standout infotainment features on the 2017 Ford Fusion are:

• 8” touchscreen infotainment with SYNC3
• 12-speaker premium audio by Sony (Available)
• Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• HD Radio
• SiriusXM Satellite Radio
• SiriusXM Traffic & Travel Link
• Voice-activated navigation system

Fusion is widely known for the sophisticated looks that lure most buyers. What Ford has done to the 2017 Fusion is worth appreciating. The new fascia has spiced up the game and made it more preferable. The headlights are sharper and wider. The signature LED lamps and LED fog lamps with black bezels to look amazing. The taillights have been revised too. The sedan now looks more muscular because of the visibly sharp body lines. At the rear, the spoiler gives it a sporty nature which is further complemented by the Quad-exhaust tips. 

There is a wide range of aluminum wheel choices to further enhance the looks. We recommend the optional 19" Premium Dark Stainless-Painted Aluminum wheels that look classy and can add to the vehicle's sporty appeal. Talking about the dimensions, the 2017 Ford Fusion has the longest wheelbase in its segment measuring 112.2-inches and at 3,72 pounds, is also the heftiest of the segment. This might affect the performance but does translate to better usable space in the cabin and the cargo area.

The Fusion is the heaviest and largest sedan among its rivals. The larger dimensions also make it quite a task to maneuver inside the city and park it in tight spaces but essentially boosts its practicality. On the contrary, the Camry is the smallest sedan here when it comes to lateral measurements. The Accord on the other hand, because of its lighter and smaller body, is the most engaging sedan to drive. It’s easier to drive in the city and can be parked easily in tight spots. Standout exterior features 2017 Ford Fusion are:

• 19" Premium Tarnished Dark-Painted aluminum wheels
• LED Fog lamps with high-gloss black bezels
• Chrome front grille
• Signature LED headlights
• Quad-tip exhaust
• Tinted glass
• Power moonroof
• Heated/power/auto-dimming outside mirrors

Ford’s Fusion is based on the popular CD4 platform and the chassis is composed out of steel and aluminum. The cabin is fitted to a standard set of airbags that merit is passenger’s safety in the time of a collision. Additionally, the Fusion comes loaded with plenty of active safety and driver-assistance tech that helps in the mitigation of any emergency. As for the safety ratings, the IIHS has rated the car with an overall “Good” and awarded it with a ‘Top Safety Pick’ tag. The NHTSA gave it a full 5-star rating as well. So, the Ford Fusion has achieved excellent results when it comes to safety. Standout safety features on the 2017 Ford Fusion are :

• SecuriLock Passive Anti-Theft System
• SOS Post-Crash Alert System
• Adaptive cruise control w/ Stop/Go
• Pre-Collision Assist
• Pedestrian Detection
• Blind Spot Information System
• Cross-traffic alert
• Lane-Keeping System
• Enhanced Active Park Assist System

2017 Ford Fusion vs 2017 Nissan Altima

We recommend the Ford Fusion because of the value and customization options. The base engine of the Fusion is feeble compared to Nissan’s, but Ford offers 4 engine options. If you want a better-performing and efficient engine, you can go for the 2L EcoBoost engine. Moreover, the Fusion is the only sedan in its class that comes with a twin-turbo V6 engine. Secondly, the cabin is fabulous and has got all the features that you need. And it is one of the best-looking cars in the segment. But if you are wooed by the excellent fuel economy and impressive driving range, get the Nissan Altima.

2017 Ford Fusion vs 2017 Toyota Camry

The Toyota Camry is the most expensive sedan between the two. The premium fascia and the plush cabin inside are what make it seem more preferable. However, the standard feature list of the Fusion remains ahead of the Camry. Moreover, the Ford packs its creation with the most important safety features where the Camry lags behind. That said, let's not forget one thing. The predicted reliability rating and customer satisfaction rates are multifold on the Toyota when compared to the Ford. So, we leave this one on you to decide.

2017 Ford Fusion vs 2017 Honda Accord

The Honda Accord is the most practical choice between the two. Its engine is not only powerful but efficient too. The standard list of features is more pragmatic and long. The safety features offered are also similar to the Fusion. The Accord also is the better handler here and also has some solid reliability rating than the Ford. The Accord also starts at a lower base price and the value it provides helps it earn our recommendation easily.

The Ford Fusion comes with noticeable and significant changes for the 2017 model year. The improved fascia and the newly curated plush cabin make it visually pleasing. It is also single-handedly the biggest car in its segment and has the best cargo capacity. The higher trims offer more powerful engine options than competition and also sports a better set of features. The driving experience is also pleasant. Ford has taken the 2017 Ford Fusion in the right direction this year making it capable of standing up with the segment staples and also worthy of being driven home a strong alternative.