Used 2019 Ford Fusion

Despite all this talk of Ford not building cars in favor of more profitable crossovers, SUVs and trucks, there is a 2019 Fusion. And significantly, this comfortable midsize sedan, mildly restyled for 2019, marks the debut of Ford Co-Pilot360 Protect, a standard suite of advanced driver-assist technologies that includes automatic emergency braking (with pedestrian protection), a blind-spot information system, lane-keeping system, rearview camera and auto high-beam lighting. Moreover, the Fusion lineup has been simplified for 2019, with S, SE, Hybrid SE, SEL, Hybrid SEL, Titanium and Hybrid Titanium models joined by the Fusion Energi Titanium plug-in hybrid and all-wheel-drive Sport. With models ranging from affordable and efficient to well-equipped and opulent, the 2019 Ford Fusion competes with the Chevrolet Malibu, Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, Mazda6 and Toyota Camry.

All 2019 Ford Fusions have precise steering and reasonably sporty suspension tuning. The base Fusion, powered by a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder, feels competent if uninspiring. The 1.5-liter turbo 4-cylinder in the SE has a bit more power than the 2.5, and is better by 2 mpg in EPA city, highway and combined ratings (23/34/27). An available turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder with 245 horsepower helps the Fusion merge with ease onto fast-moving expressways, aided by a 6-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. The sportiest Fusion, the Sport, is aptly named, thanks to active suspension damping and a twin-turbo 2.7-liter V6 that sends 325 horsepower to all four wheels via a paddle-shift 6-speed automatic. As for the 2019 Ford Fusion Hybrid and Fusion Hybrid Energi, they drive like typical midsize sedans but with an automatic CVT (continuously variable transmission) that smooths the flow of power from the gas engine and electric motor. In general, the Fusion drives more like a taut European or Asian sedan than a traditional American sedan.

The cabin of the 2019 Ford Fusion is modern, what with its rotary shifter and electronic parking brake. Space is satisfactory for four adults, or five in a pinch (with three squeezed across the back bench). The SE model, with Sync 3 connectivity and an 8-inch touch screen, also has Sync Connect with Wi-Fi. SELs get upgraded seat fabric, heated front seats, an auto-dimming rearview mirror and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, while the Titanium model adds a heated steering wheel, heated and cooled seats, inflatable rear belts, a moonroof and adaptive cruise control. The Fusion Titanium is so nice inside that you may be fooled into believing you’re driving a luxurious Lincoln MKZ.

Even with occasional styling tweaks over the years, the Ford Fusion, particularly when viewed from the front, still bears a resemblance to a midsize sedan that Aston Martin never made. For 2019, the Fusion S, SE and SEL models wear a new grille with a 5-bar design, while the one on the Titanium model has a new style of chrome mesh. Other visual changes for Ford’s midsize sedan include a revised trunklid and fog lights, LED taillights, two new wheel designs and a revised color palette. As before, the Fusion Sport with dark wheels and black mesh grille looks menacingly cool.

FORD CO-PILOT360 PROTECT
Standard on all 2019 Ford Fusions, this new suite of advanced safety technologies includes automatic emergency braking (with pedestrian protection), blind-spot information (with cross-traffic alert), lane-keeping system, a rearview camera, rain-sensing wipers and auto high-beam lighting. A more advanced version called Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist is available; it features adaptive cruise control (with stop-and-go) as well as voice-activated navigation and Sirius XM Traffic.

BIGGER BATTERY FOR ENERGI
The Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid now has a pure-electric range of 25 miles, an increase of nearly 20 percent. According to Ford, the 2019 Fusion Energi allows 80 percent of plug-in customers to drive their typical daily commute on electricity alone, without home or workplace charging. The 9.0-kilowatt-hour lithium battery has greater energy density but takes up the same physical space as the previous unit.

The debut of the Ford Co-Pilot360 Protect safety suite is the big Fusion news for 2019, as is the SE model getting the turbo 1.5-liter engine as standard equipment, along with Sync 3 and Sync Connect with Wi-Fi. SEL Fusions benefit from a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated seats, remote start and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, while Titanium Fusions add a heated steering wheel, heated and cooled seats, inflatable rear seatbelts, adaptive cruise control and voice-activated navigation. Standard all-wheel drive helps the 2019 Fusion Sport harness its 325 horsepower, while a CVT automatic transmission smooths the power delivery of the Fusion Hybrid and plug-in Fusion Energi models.

The Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist package (standard on Titanium, Sport and Hybrid Fusions) supplements the standard Ford Co-Pilot 360 Protect package with adaptive cruise control (with stop-and-go), voice-activated navigation and Sirius XM Traffic and Travel Link.

For 2019 the Ford Fusion S still is available with front-wheel drive (FWD) and a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, but the 1.5-liter turbocharged-4 standard in the SE is more powerful and efficient. Ford’s turbo 2.0-liter 4-cylinder with 245 horsepower gives the Titanium a good kick, aided by available all-wheel drive. AWD, notably, is standard in the Ford Fusion Sport, where it also helps to harness the big 325 horsepower of its 2.7-liter twin-turbo V6. A 6-speed automatic is standard in all Fusions except the Hybrid and Energi models, which have a CVT automatic mated to the 2.0-liter gas engine and electric motor. Aided by its improved battery, the plug-in 2019 Ford Fusion Energi now has 25 miles of EV-only range.

2.5-liter inline-4
173 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
174 lb-ft of torque @ 4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/32 mpg

1.5-liter turbocharged inline-4
181 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
185 lb-ft of torque @ 4,320 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 23/34 mpg

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4
245 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm
275 lb-ft of torque @ 3,300 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/31 mpg (FWD), 20/29 mpg (AWD)

2.0-liter inline-4 and permanent magnet AC synchronous motor (hybrid)
188 horsepower (total)
129 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm (gasoline engine only)
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 43/41 mpg

2.0-liter inline-4 and permanent magnet AC synchronous motor (plug-in hybrid)
195 horsepower (total, with full battery charge)
129 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm (gasoline engine only)
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 104 MPGe, 97 MPGe combined

2.7-liter twin-turbo V6
325 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm
380 lb-ft of torque @ 3,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/26 mpg