2010 Ford Fusion Facelift Revealed

Justin Berkowitz
by Justin Berkowitz

Ford has just released the first picture of the 2010 Fusion, a facelifted version of the current car. While the Fusion we have now is a decent ride, it’s just decent. The refreshed Fusion attempts to rectify the current model’s below-class horsepower, among other improvements:

–The current 2.3 liter 4-cylinder is replaced with a “new” 2.5 liter 4-cylinder with 175 horsepower (the same engine that’s in the Mazda6 4-cylinder), a jump of some 14 ponies. Torque for the 4-cylinder is also up to 172 lb ft now, an increase of 16 lb ft. The 4-cylinder also has variable cam timing, a nice addition.

–The 3.0 liter V6 will stay, but is now up to 240 horsepower from 221 and its 6-speed automatic now has a manumatic shift mode; this should prove helpful in getting around the infuriatingly geared economy-friendly transmissions.

–The range topping “Fusion Sport” will feature Ford’s not-so-awesome 3.5 liter V6 with 263 horsepower.

–All models get 6-speed automatics, an upgrade for the 4-cylinder.

–A hybrid model will come at some point with the newer generation 2.5 liter 4-cylinder unit in the 2009 Escape Hybrid.

–No EPA testing yet but Ford claims 32 mpg highway for the 4-cylinder model.

As for which one I’d buy if I was in the market for a Fusion, unless there are major suspension changes to the 3.5 liter V6 Sport model, I’d rather keep the weight down and take the almost-as-powerful 3.0 liter V6. Then again, what I’d really want is a turbocharged AWD Fusion with 350 horsepower, but considering the market’s current implosion, I doubt Alan Mulally thinks that’s a good way to spend Ford’s money.

Justin Berkowitz
Justin Berkowitz

Immensely bored law student. I've also got 3 dogs.

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  • Geeber Geeber on Oct 30, 2008

    This is exactly what Ford needs to do - keep a decent car fresh with mid-cycle tweaks. The more powerful AND more economical engines are just what the doctor ordered. It's also much better looking than the current Accord and Camry. My 2003 Accord has been a great car, but I'll be giving the new Fusion a serious look when it comes time to replace it, given what Honda has done to the current Accord. Justin, any word on interior improvements?

  • Justin Berkowitz Justin Berkowitz on Oct 30, 2008

    geeber, check out my new post on the 2010 fusion for more info. JB

  • Sajeev Mehta Sajeev Mehta on Oct 30, 2008

    I like the old Fusion's sheetmetal better for the same reason the Ford 427 Concept was better looking than the Intercepter Concept. I wonder if there'll be a GEN II Milan. It would look better, but we all know another wanna-be Ford sedan really shouldn't be.

  • DrBiggly DrBiggly on Oct 30, 2008

    My mother-in-law has either a 2008 or 2009 Ford Fusion, purchased within the last 6 months. She has reported astounding gas mileage of always north of 30mpg and easily 35mpg. I'd have to go back and ask again, but I think she was about to knock down 40mpg on a highway trip that was taken in it. Hers is the current 4-cyl that is being replaced. As far as Ford's gas mileage claims go, I believe them. It's also surprisingly large on the inside and doesn't feel hugely slow. No idea how they did that, but it is a whole lot farther from 'not good' than I ever expected the vehicle to be. Maybe it was the color she got it in that threw me....but the vehicle itself is surprisingly good.

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