The upcoming 2014 Ford Fusion will enter the markets having both luxury and economical features including a 1.5L, 4-cylinder fuel-efficient  hybrid engine. Fusion was the bestselling car in 2011 because of its  midsize Sedan looks, and I’m expecting the same response for its 2014 model.

In the new fusion, Ford has added a 1.5L turbo-charged 4 cylinder engine, coupled with 240 hp and 2.0L-turbo that enhances the mpg performance of the car by 26 for the city and highway alike. Besides, the safety technology equipped with cruise control; blind spot-detection; SYNC voice command system, and the automatic parking assist, which steers the car directly into a straight parking area, are some of its unique features. The 2014 Fusion is also equipped with the latest MyFord touchscreen display. It is a 4-door, 5-passenger with 3 grading levels: S, SE, and Titanium. All these grading levels have little variations among them.

The Fusion S and SE have a standard 2.5L, 4 cylinder engine, and they both possess engine of 175 hp and175 pound feet of torque. Moreover,16-inch steel wheels; automatic headlights; full power accessories; integrated blind-spot mirror, keyless entry, cruise control, A/C, a trip computer, CD player and USB port/iPod interface are the distinctive features of Fusion S.

On the other hand Fusion SE has 17-inch alloy wheel, heated mirrors, 8-way power driver seat, and a 6-speaker sound system with folding rear seats. The SE is even eligible for some additional features, i.e. dual-zone automatic climate control, MyFord touch screen, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and special seat fabric lining.

In case of Fusion Titanium, it has a turbo-charged 2.0L engine, 18-inch wheels, a sport-tuned suspension, remote start; sport front seats, a premium 12-speaker Sony sound system along with HD radio.

Exterior and Interior

The dashboard and center support have been designed keeping in view the driver’s comfort, and to ensure a cozy environment. The highly-adjustable driver seat is a distinction of the 2014 Fusion. The MyFord Touch system including an 8-inch main display controls various audio, phone and navigation functions via Ford Sync. The control buttons have been placed on the steering.

Performance

In Fusion S, the power is communicated to front wheels via a 6-disc shaped high-speed automatic transmission, while in the case of SE, 6-high speed automatic (paddle shifters) are responsible for the transmission. The Fusion Titanium’s power transmission is parallel to any V6 equipped vehicle.

During testing, Fusion with 1.6L engine went from 0 to 60 mph in 8.8 seconds, while Fusion Titanium with turbo 2.0L engine reached from 0 to 60 mph in 6.9 seconds. The starting price of 2014 Ford Fusion is US $22,000 – $30,000. Tech experts have termed slow data communication as a major drawback of the new Ford Fusion, while its fuel-efficient turbo engines, smooth control and attractive exterior  take it a step ahead over its competitors.

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Safety Measures

When it comes to safety, Ford has installed anti-lock disc brakes, traction and stability control, front seat side airbags, front lower airbags, safety belts and side curtain airbags. This car also has an emergency crash-notification feature that automatically dials the U.S. emergency helpline , 911. Further additional safety measures include: a blind-spot monitoring, rear-cross traffic alert, driver-drowsiness detection, lane departure warning; and the Ford’s MyKey feature for teen drivers.

During  braking system test, Fusion stopped from 60 mph within 123 feet. It has been awarded 5/5 stars for crash protection by the government.

Competitors

The direct competitors of this car are: Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Hyundai Sonata, AWD Subaru Legacy, VW Passat, Chevy Malibu, and the luxury Nissan Altima.

Conclusion

With addition of the new Fusion, Ford has delivered a competitive entity. It will help the company increase its sales as 2014 Ford Fusion offers fuel efficiency, spaciousness, and most important of all, the luxurious and elegant look.