2008 Ford Fusion Review

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The Fusion has been a modest hit, and Ford continues to refine the car that won the 2006 J.D. Power award for Automotive Performance, Execution, and Layout.

Its three trim levels-S, SE, and SEL-give the 2008 Fusion a wide appeal, as do the two available engines and drivetrain options. A 160-horsepower Duratec 2.3L 16-valve four-cylinder with five-speed manual driving the front wheels comes standard, while a five-speed auto is optional. Step up to a V6 SE or SEL and you get 221 horsepower from the Duratec 3.0L 24-valve V6 with a six-speed automatic. Ford's all-wheel drive with traction control is optional on V6 SE and SEL models.

The standard S provides plenty of safety features and creature comforts, including the new anti-lock brakes, SecuriLock... see more

The Fusion has been a modest hit, and Ford continues to refine the car that won the 2006 J.D. Power award for Automotive Performance, Execution, and Layout.

Its three trim levels-S, SE, and SEL-give the 2008 Fusion a wide appeal, as do the two available engines and drivetrain options. A 160-horsepower Duratec 2.3L 16-valve four-cylinder with five-speed manual driving the front wheels comes standard, while a five-speed auto is optional. Step up to a V6 SE or SEL and you get 221 horsepower from the Duratec 3.0L 24-valve V6 with a six-speed automatic. Ford's all-wheel drive with traction control is optional on V6 SE and SEL models.

The standard S provides plenty of safety features and creature comforts, including the new anti-lock brakes, SecuriLock anti-theft system, adjustable front seats, 60/40 split rear seats, air conditioning, CD player with MP3 capability, tilt/telescopic steering wheel, cruise control, power mirrors, power windows, and two 12V jacks. SE trim adds a six-way driver seat power, premium stereo with six-disc CD changer, 16-inch aluminum wheels, and fog lights. For an additional $705, the SEL model includes air conditioning with electronic automatic temperature control, SYNC voice-activated communications and entertainment system, heated mirrors with puddle lamps, 17-inch aluminum wheels, and new keyless entry.

SYNC is optional on SE cars, while leather seating, Audiophile Sound, moonroof, Sirius satellite radio, rear park assist, reverse sensing, and ambient interior lighting are optional on all SE and SEL cars.

For Fusion SE and SEL models equipped with the V6, Ford's all-wheel drive is available at a price that still keeps it below most of the competition's front-wheel-drive cars.
The Ford Fusion has a few important changes for 2008; chief among them is standard anti-lock braking across the model range. Changes in options and available equipment include the addition of a Sport Appearance Package, which features 18-inch aluminum wheels, a firmer suspension, and contrasting interior stitching. Also new is voice-activated navigation, a back-up parking sensor, and keyless entry on SEL models. Ford's SYNC system, which integrates wireless devices and music players with the car, debuts for 2008 as an option on all but the SEL styles, where it is standard. Pricing has increased marginally across the range by about a few hundred dollars. see less

Trims	City MPG	Hwy MPG	MSRP	Invoice	Displacement	Engine
4dr Sdn I4 S FWD	20	29	$18,135	$16,943	2.3L/140	Gas I4
4dr Sdn I4 SE FWD	20	29	$19,060	$17,594	2.3L/140	Gas I4
4dr Sdn I4 SEL FWD	20	29	$20,150	$18,576	2.3L/140	Gas I4
4dr Sdn V6 SE AWD	17	25	$23,660	$21,734	3.0L/182	Gas V6
4dr Sdn V6 SE FWD	18	26	$21,810	$20,069	3.0L/182	Gas V6
4dr Sdn V6 SEL AWD	17	25	$24,750	$22,716	3.0L/182	Gas V6
4dr Sdn V6 SEL FWD	18	26	$22,900	$21,050	3.0L/182	Gas V6

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2008 Ford Fusion Styling | 8 out of 10

Cars.com: "lean and athletic"
FamilyCar.com: "instrument cluster was clean and easy to read"
Car and Driver: "the best looking Ford sedan in years"

Reviewers generally liked the 2008 Ford Fusion's combination of sharp edges and soft contours. Car and Driver called it "the best looking Ford sedan in years," and noted that its clean, understated shape looked "like the sparse jewelry of a tuxedo," a big compliment for Ford. Cars.com noted that even in the sedan category, shapes get old and tired quickly. "A car's proportions are usually the first thing to go sour," but that "the Fusion has aged well." The proportions are the key, they said: "The short front overhang and long tail looked lean and athletic."

Some thought the styling was a bit more tepid. While some had kind words for the Fusion's big headlamps and a bold, chrome grille, while BusinessWeek turned to the rear end and found the Fusion's "perky backside" less compelling than the Toyota Camry's "sculpted butt."

(see full review)

2008 Ford Fusion

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