NAIAS: Here's The New Fusion….

by Jack Baruth

Published: January 9th, 2012

There’s been no shortage of Fusion coverage this week, but now we have the car itself. The verdict? In the metal, it almost looks more like a four-door Aston than the Rapide. And let’s not forget the October Surprise of a plug-in hybrid, which Ford sources at the show told me will be on dealer floors in 2012…

The interior looks as good as the photos had promised. It’s more or less the materials and tech from the 2012 Edge, re-proportioned for sedan duty. The seats are soft and touchy. Obviously, the proof will be in the driving, but if the new Fusion isn’t a “game-changer”, it’s at least a solid kick to the face of the Malibu and Sonata.

#2013FordFusion #Ford #FordFusion #NorthAmericanInternationalAutoShow

Jack Baruth

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Otaku on Jan 10, 2012

I don't really have any problem with the Aston-inspired grille. To my eyes, it looks pretty similar to the one from the electric version of the Focus. Actually, I wouldn't even mind seeing that type of front end treatment carried over to all of the new Focus models. The only negative styling comment I can come up with is that I think the grille looks like it's been placed a bit high on the Fusion's nose. Maybe it's just from the angle of the photos, but IMO it might have been a better idea to either move the grille a couple more inches south or to try and make the section of the bumper just below the grille slightly less prominent.

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Disaster on Jan 10, 2012

While the styling is hugely better than the last Fusion, that is like saying Angelina Jolie is prettier than Tori Spelling. It looks a little generic to me, like a Mitsubishi Lancer coupled with the nose of the Sonata Hybrid. It also looks like it is continuing the trend of ultra high belt lines and severely sloping rear windows which rob backseat room and makes it feel like you're driving in a submarine.

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