Wasn't sure if this should go in Car Talk or the 3G forum, but let's start here since I found the Fusion to be quite similar to the 3G TL.

I just spent a week driving a 2010 Ford Fusion SEL throughout Colorado when I took the family out there on vacation. It just happened to be the rental car I ended up with. I must say that I was pleasantly surprised and so I've decided to share my thoughts. (My rental cars usually end up being something like a base Chevy Cobalt or Toyota Yarus.)

OVERALL BIG PICTURE:
The Ford Fusion is a really nice copycat of the 3G TL. I have no idea if Ford was really imitating the TL, but it sure seemed like it to me. The car I had is the SEL which is pretty close to the top of the line and actually makes the car pretty pricey, but that said, the SEL has a very similar feature set to a base 3G TL.

DETAILS:

Exterior:
The looks (shape, dimensions, styling) of the Fusion are actually quite similar to the 3G TL. It's a pretty nice looking vehicle. I'm not a big fan of that Ford grill and the Ford logo itself is pretty ugly, but if you swapped it out with a custom grill, the front end would be very sharp. The headlight assembly is a very nicely designed unit and looked better than a stock TL headlight assembly. The rear is decent looking as well. The TL rear is nothing terribly special either (IMO), so I view them as about the same. Overall I think that the 3G TL wins in the looks department, but I might be biased.

Interior:
The interior is nice, but not the same as the Acura. I had black leather seats which were nice and very supportive and comfortable, better than my TL, and they were nicely stitched with a contrasting stitch color. Aside from that, everything else fell short. The guages had a cheesy speedboat sort of look. The controls were too low. The hard plastic trim was cheap looking when compared to the Acura soft plastic trim -- or whatever you might call it. The levers for the vents seemed too flimsy. All in all, its a decent interior, but not luxury level.

Technology:
The SEL comes with the SYNC by Microsoft package. I didn't really get to test this out thoroughly, but fiddling with the menus, it seems to support not only Bluetooth calling, but also Bluetooth audio! and the ability to read incoming texts aloud (nice!) and many other features. From what I could tell, the technology here was at least as good as the base 3G TL and probably better. My car didn't have nav so I'm curious how their nav stacks up.

Engine & Transmission:
I'm pretty sure my SEL was outfitted with a 3.0L V6. It was roughly on par with my TL. A little less power, but not noticable. It was plenty of power to get me through the mountains with ease.

It had a 6AT which seems nice although the gears overlap a lot so 6th gear seemed to kick in lower than 5th gear in my 5AT TL. Seemed a little odd to me. Also, first gear is very tall, which brings me to my next comment. The manual shift mode actually lets the driver do what he wants with the trans. It did not upshift for me when redlining in 1st gear. It seemed that I was able to take any gear I wanted (including 1st) to as high an RPM level as I wanted. You can sit in 1st all the way to 30 mph.

As for the mountain driving, the 6AT clearly did not have grade logic like the Acura has. I haven't drive my TL in the mountains so I can't really compare, but I have certainly notice the grade logic on hills around me. The Fusion's 6AT didn't have the slightest clue what gear to be in while climbing or decending. I found myself giving up on it and just using the manual shift mode instead.

BOTTOM LINE:
I certainly would not give up my 3G TL for it any day; however I can say I was pretty impressed with it. It seemed to me like a less expensive way to get all the features of a 3G TL in a brand new vehicle that costs less that the 3G TL did when it was sold new. The sport model with the 3.5L V6 and the better looking black grill (see picture just below) also seems intriguing to me, but then the pricing really gets up there.



I'm curious if other 3G TL owners are familiar with the 2010 or 2011 Fusion and have any thoughts.

 

Bottom Line: TL > Fusion. Correct?

 

Thanks for the review! But I'd still take an Acura over Ford anyday.

 

Definitely.

3G TL > 2G Fusion

... but the Fusion is a less expensive car even at the SEL trim level, so this should be expected.

I also would take an Acura over a Ford anyday.

 

Got it.

 

Have you guys not seen the new acuras and fords?

edit: I guess you cant really compare directly, but I'd disagree with you guys

edit again: I'm talking about the present cars

 

Wouldn't the Ford Fusion be more commonly cross shopped with the Accord? Both available with 4-cyl and V6, starting in the low 20s, etc.?

Gotta compare with what you know though

 

Never driven one, heard it drives damm good from most people. Sat in the 2010 one, the interior feels so office like, something my accountant would drive. Not my cup of tea.

 

the fusions look much better tahn ford has offered before, but i would still have a hard time buying one.

 

I've not test driven one yet but, it appears that the Fusion is just another piece of evidence that Ford has been doing their homework. However, I'm still not certain that I would get one over the equivalent Accord (cost being equal). Good review by the OP nonetheless.

 

As good as this is, I'm looking forward to when the Fusion gets the global Mondeo platform.

 

I forgot to review the handling/suspension aspect. Pretty similar feel to the TL with very little body roll and I wasn't even in the Sport model. Again 3G TL > Ford Fusion, but I was fairly pleased with what Ford had provided. It's been a while since I've driven an Accord, but I'm guessing the Fusion handles better than an equivalent Accord. Overall, I think Fusion would give Accord a run for its money.


Yes, exactly my thoughts. They definitely did their homework and did a nice job with the car. This is what compelled me to write this review.


Yes, Acura has uglified the TL, but I'd probably be happy to take a present day TSX over the Fusion.

As the others pointed out, my review isn't really a fair comparison. Fusion should be compared to Accord. TL (or V6 TSX maybe) should be compared to Lincoln MKZ.

 

Ouch! Accountant here (but you're right).

 

Oh, something else I remembered when using the manual shift mode in my TL. The manual shift directions are opposite between the Acura and the Ford. To upshift in my TL, I push the shifter forward: but in the Ford forward is the downshift. Seemed odd that there is not consistency in the industry on this.

 

IMO it's always been more logical to push up to upshift, and down to downshift, but instinctively, if you're accelerating hard and being pulled back into your seat, I've felt it was natural to pull back to upshift. And as you're braking hard to slow down, you get pushed forward, and so it would seem intuitive to push forward to downshift.

It is confusing sometimes. Seems like most or all Japanese brands do up to upshift and so on.

 

^
Yes, I do agree with you. At first when I was driving the Ford, I thought that being reversed from my TL was wrong, but it did feel more natural. Your description matches what I had felt. I can see why either one is done.

I'm still surprised that the industry is split on this. I wonder if it will ever become consistent.

 

I have driven most mid-size cars on the market with the exception of the newest Sonata, and the Fusion is definitely a car that I would take over any of them. It has a superb ride/handling balance and a very functional (but plain) interior.

The powertrains may not be the most impressive on paper, but the Fusion has a stellar reliability record, according to Consumer Reports. IMO, it is a better car to own in the long-run than any Honda (or import) as it will likely have lower service costs and easier parts and service availability in the long run.

 

Don't know why the Fusion is being compared to a TL?

The Fusion however, is a fantastic car.

 

Which is why i switched the direction on my TL (when i had the auto-tragic) to be like that.

 

Only reason it was being compared to a 3G TL is because that's what I drive. I was compelled to write this review because after driving it for a week I felt like the Fusion took a lot of cues from the 3G TL.

I was pleasantly surprised by the Fusion and agree that it is a fantastic car for its price point.

 

^^ THANKS!!! I was holding my breath for 6 months waiting for your reply!!!

 

Have this as a rental today to drive from Chicago to Iowa. Other than the gas mileage, this car is not very appealing. Steering is very loose (or maybe I'm used to my G and the tight steering).

I would pick my 03CL in a heartbeat over this car.

 

ROFLCOPTER.

I saw it was bumped and thought someone added more comparisons LOL

 

with that being said, whats the top of the line fusion? the 3.5l.


wonder how that compares with the TL.

 

My neighbor has a 2011 SEL and it is a very nice car at its price point. Especially considering that it's more comparable to a TSX than a TL at this point.

As good as the Fusion might be right now (and it's incredibly reliable and well made) it's not going to compete with the latest platforms.

That said, when the next generation of Fusion comes here (as a Mondeo or Fusion) I think it's going to kick some serious ass ... It'll be as good as any other car in the price range and built very well.

Now if only Ford wouldn't kill the resale market by selling a bunch to rental fleets. I think it hurts the perception of the car ...

 

quite a drum roll huh?

 

WOW...Fusion...Really...ok

 

Not to selflessly promote my products or anything, but the 2011 Kia Optima has a lot more design cues from the 3g TL than a Fusion.

Oh and it has an available 2.0T putting out 273hp w 269 ft lb, which is just under the TL's base motor of 280hp with less torque at 254 ft lb.

Not to compare but the Fusion is our biggest competitor and it whoops Fusion in looks and performance and comes closer to the TL's power and looks with a price closer to the Fusions .

Ahem, Acura do you see what we did there? ahem ahem, we also did it with the Sportage, 2.0T making more hp than the RDX and doesn't look like a vulture.

Sink or swim Acura

I'm not and Kia is not saying buy ours over the Acuras however they're taking quite a stab at its market or more importantly will at the rate they're going at.

 

^Man I am lost at wtf your saying... lol the pic and what your saying is confusing... nontheless this is what the 2011 looks like not the older model you posted up...

 

jebus you're right, that's what I get for posting early in the morning on this tiny ass screen. Anyway, based on your pic, does the Optima look more like a 3g TL or does the Fusion? I actually like the fusion, but it doesn't compare to a TL what-so-ever. At the very least the Kia has lot of tech, for no extra money and looks more upscale, the Fusion does not.

I can't believe I didn't notice the picture, I'm not 8ft from the front end of one right now and ..... brain fart!

 

Interesting this topic was brought up (or resurrected). I owned a 2003 TL-S, 2008 TSX, and a good friend has a 2007 TL. Last year when it came time to lease a sedan, I wanted a TSX or TL but just never warmed up to the can-opener grilles.

To make a long story short, the Mazda 6 Grand Touring is about as close to a TL as you can get. Take all the good qualities of the Fusion and add more performance (3.7L 271hp V6), quality, features, and improved design.

Fully loaded @ around $32K MSRP, it's hard to beat the 6. Keep in mind fully loaded = 3.7L V6, nav, leather, xenon, bluetooth, heated seats, dual climate, blind-spot monitoring, keyless entry, push-button start, etc.

 

Got to spend some time with a Mazda6 at the Autoshow, and it does have a heck of a lot of features for its class. I think it's a great car for people who might miss the 3G TL.

 

Since you said it, Now I must retort. The 11' Optima (2.0T GDI 274hp EX) comes standard with with Bluetooth, ipod interface, cruise, dual climate, active head restraints, 6 airbags, rear view camera in mirror, 22/34mpg, 6-speed auto with Sportmatic (no 6mt ), Four-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), a Traction Control System (TCS), a Brake Assist System (BAS) and Hill Assist Control (HAC) also are standard.

Heated/cooled front seats, and heated rear seats optional, panoramic sunroof optional, navi optional, HID headlights optional, Halogen projectors standard. !7" wheels on EX, 18" on SX. push button start (EX), 6 way power drivers seat, passenger seat (optional).

Ok I'm done. Turbo EX models start at just under $25k.

Would I buy one, no, but I'm not in the market for a 4dr. Now a Sportage SX perhaps, but I still have to drive one to see how the ride is. I drove the Optima turbo yesterday and it is damn fast, suck you in the seat fast and rode very well.

 

Go to Kia.com and fully option out an Optima and you hit $31K.

Sorry but for me, the 6 is the better option. I'm not defending my choice, I just think the 6 is the desirable bargain that the 3G TL once was...

 

wont argue there, between the turbo models and the K9(to be named) coming out, Kia is entering new waters, should be interesting to see what happens. I've just never been a fan of Mazda, then again I used to abhor Kia so perhaps I'll warm to Mazda as well. Me and the other salesman that took the Optima T out, had mixed feelings, it was great, but it comes back to that badge. Must be what people looking at Hyundai feel, this well it's great but it's a _____ that's a lot of money.

None the less the Fusion doesn't look like a TL, there back on topic. One thing about the Fusion I dont like, is how small it feels inside, just an opinion, but it didnt feel like a mid-size.

 

Actually I forgot something and maybe someone could say, is there another non hybrid with nearly the MPG that the Optima 2.0T GDI gets? 22/34, keeping the 274hp in mind. I mean from everything I found, it had the best economy.... which it seemed was damn near the main selling point of it over the competition.

 

boss has a 4 cyl auto and it is great in the city. plenty of torque under the curve where it matters most