Used 2018 Ford Fusion

The 2018 Ford Fusion is practically an entire car line on its own. There’s a little something for anybody looking for a comfortable and nicely equipped midsize sedan. The low-end Fusion S comes with enough standard equipment that bargain hunters won’t feel like they’ve compromised, while the higher-end Fusion Platinum comes with enough features to pass as the luxury car the Fusion’s sweeping exterior styling suggests. There are two fuel-miser models to satisfy your green street cred, including a plug-in hybrid. However, unlike its many competitors — the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Kia Optima, Chevrolet Malibu, Hyundai Sonata among them — the 2018 Ford Fusion offers all-wheel drive (AWD) on many models, and a Sport model with a 2.7-liter twin-turbo V6 engine.

Few cars do as good a job of being all things to all people as the 2018 Ford Fusion. It’s one of the few midsize sedans available in all-wheel drive, for starters, and all models benefit from a sporty-feeling suspension and sharp steering. The base-model’s 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine isn’t very inspiring, but it’s not much of a step up to the mid-level models with their 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder, and available 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder with 240 horsepower. But if power is really your thing, the 2018 Fusion Sport offers a twin-turbo 2.7-liter V6 with 325 horsepower and standard all-wheel drive. On the other end of the fuel-consumption scale are two hybrid models, the Fusion Hybrid and Fusion Hybrid Energi plug-in model, which like the standard sedan both come in a hedonistic Platinum model. The easier-to-use Sync system improves the driving experience of any Fusion model that has it.

What MKZ? The 2018 Ford Fusion Platinum’s stitched dash, premium leather seats with contrast piping, and many luxury touches almost make that Lincoln redundant. Across the line are other high-tech-feeling touches, like the rotary shifter and electronic parking brake. But along with all the high tech — such as an updated Sync system that’s now compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto — Ford remains focused on the basics. The roomy interior can comfortably seat four adults, or three kids in back, and there’s a huge trunk. Hybrids have a smaller trunk, but augment cargo space with a pass-through for long items.

Even after last year’s updates, the Ford Fusion’s styling bears a favorable resemblance to something Aston Martin might make. The Platinum models, with their extra chrome and unique wheels, look the part of a luxury sedan, while the Fusion Sport models get sporty fog lights, a mesh grille and charcoal-colored wheels. Ford’s EasyFuel capless gas-filler system eliminates the possibility of losing the gas cap, or not screwing it on properly. For EV aficionados, the Fusion Energi models use a lighted ring around the charge port to indicate charge levels, with a fully lit ring meaning a fully charged battery.

PLUG-IN HYBRID VERSION
Even with new plug-in hybrids like the Prius Prime and Chevy Volt in the fray, the 2018 Ford Fusion Hybrid Energi holds its own with 21 miles of electric-only driving range. When that runs out, you still have a gasoline engine and a 610-mile range.

V6 POWER
On the other hand, we’re suckers for horsepower, and we’re down with the 2018 Ford Fusion Sport and its 325-horsepower 2.7-liter twin-turbo V6. Along with AWD and an even better suspension, the Fusion Sport promises Audi A6 performance on, well, a Ford budget.

The base-model 2018 Fusion S comes with a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder and 6-speed automatic transmission, along with manual climate control, a tilt/telescoping steering wheel, audio system with USB and auxiliary inputs, a rearview camera, and Ford’s Sync wireless communication system with voice control. The mid-level Fusion SE is where it’s at, though, with its 10-way-power driver’s seat, rear air vents, a 6-speaker audio system and 17-inch wheels. Higher-end Titanium models come standard with the more powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, upgraded audio systems, Sync 3 with greatly improved usability, and niceties like dual-zone auto climate control, leather seating and 18-inch wheels.

Despite the good standard equipment, there is room for plenty of options on the 2018 Ford Fusion. The Fusion SE is your best bet, with a wide range of options available, including blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assistance and adaptive cruise control with collision warning to help expand driver awareness and make the Fusion an excellent road-trip sedan. There’s a reverse-sensing system to warn you of obstacles, and an Active Park Assist system will actually parallel-park the car for you. As one of the few midsize sedans with available all-wheel drive, the Fusion is ready for foul-weather driving in Snowbelt states.

The base front-wheel-drive (FWD) 2018 Ford Fusion S gets a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder, but skip it and get the SE and its available 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder. Alternatively, you could upgrade the SE to the 2.0-liter turbo-4-, or get a Titanium or Platinum model where it comes standard; all-wheel drive is available with the 2.0-liter. The Ford Fusion Sport, new last year, also comes with AWD, connected to its 325-horsepower 2.7-liter twin-turbo V6. A 6-speed automatic is standard across the board. The Fusion Hybrid and Hybrid Energi both come with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine and electric motor; coupled to a continuously variable automatic transmission, it provides excellent fuel economy. The Hybrid Energi plug-in has a bigger battery and 21 miles of EV-only range.

2.5-liter inline-4
175 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
175 lb-ft of torque @ 4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/32 mpg

1.5-liter turbocharged inline-4
178 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
177 lb-ft of torque @ 1,500-4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 23/34 mpg

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4
240 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm
270 lb-ft of torque @ 3,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/31 mpg (FWD), 20/29 mpg (AWD)

2.0-liter inline-4 and permanent magnet AC synchronous motor (hybrid)
188 horsepower (total)
129 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm (gasoline engine only)
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 43/41 mpg

2.0-liter inline-4 and permanent magnet AC synchronous motor (plug-in hybrid)
195 horsepower (total, with full battery charge)
129 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm (gasoline engine only)
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 97 MPGe, 42 mpg combined

2.7-liter twin-turbo V6
325 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm
350 lb-ft of torque @ 3,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/26 mpg