With the withdrawal of the brawny V6 which made the Fusion a sleeper, the only engine options available are the 2.5L in the base, 1.5L EcoBoost for the two mid trims and the 2.0L turbo for the Titanium trim. The base engine is barely surviving with 173 horses and 174-pound feet of torque.
What's under the hood of the 2020 Ford Fusion?
The engine is lethargic and does not provide the much-needed zeal. But the potent 6-speed automatic transmission helps in extracting the maximum power out of the puny engine. The peak power comes in at a steep 4500 rpm which means it needs to be revved hard for good acceleration. The easy knob controller for transmission is easy to use.
The torque maxes out at about the mid-rpm range which makes it perfect for cruising. Long rides are smooth without any fuss. It sounds the part too! Ford makes up for poor performance in excellent driving dynamics and body control.
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Models
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Ford Fusion S
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Honda Accord LX
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Nissan Altima 2.5 S
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Chevrolet Malibu L
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|
MSRP
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$23170
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$23870
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$24100
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$22095
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Engine
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2.5L Inline-4
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1.5L Inline-4
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2.5L Inline-4
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1.5L Inline-4
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| Drivetrain |
FWD |
FWD |
FWD |
FWD |
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Transmission
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6-Speed Automatic
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CVT
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CVT
|
CVT
|
|
Power
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173hp@6,000rpm
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192hp@5,500rpm
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188hp@6,000rpm
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160hp@5,700rpm
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|
Torque
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174lb-ft@4,500rpm
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192lb-ft@6,000rpm
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180lb-ft@3,600rpm
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184lb-ft@2,500rpm
|
Honda Accord tops the list with a topping 192 horses and 192 pound-feet of torque. The CVT transmission muffles the power. The chevy comes in second followed by the Altima.
How quickly can it pull off the line?
The Fusion is not ahead snapper but is tuned for everyday comfort. It makes sure the transmission is linear and you feel none of the jerks from the shifting of gears. The power does not induce breathtaking acceleration nor is it enough for sudden overtakes but enough to do the work efficiently without any hiccups.
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Models
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Ford Fusion S
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Honda Accord LX
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Nissan Altima 2.5 S
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Chevrolet Malibu L
|
|
0-60 MPH
|
N/A
|
7.6s(est.) sec
|
7.7 sec
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8.5 sec
|
|
Quarter Mile
|
N/A
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15.9s(est.) sec
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16.0 sec
|
16.0 sec
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| Top Speed |
N/A |
N/A |
140 MPH |
N/A |
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Engine
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2.5L Inline-4
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1.5L Inline-4
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2.5L Inline-4
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1.5L Inline-4
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How well does it take on the roads?
This is Fusion’s triumph car against its rivals. The steering is sharp and responds quickly and precisely to driver inputs. With minimal body roll thanks to anti-roll bars, it is one of the most fun-loving sedans out there. Corners are a breeze in this. The rigid body structure gives it exceptional stability at high speeds as well. The suspension is well-tuned for a comfortable extended trip. Bumps and vibrations are smoothly muffled by the dampers.
This amazing driving experience makes it one of the very few well-rounded dynamic sedans out there.
How's the braking?
The stopping power of Fusion is moderate. The car takes some time to halt as it is heavy. The braking is linear and doesn’t feel abrupt thus providing comfort all round. Stop and go traffic doesn’t feel fidgety. But even with the added mass, it manages to stop in a shorter distance than its competitors.
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Models
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Ford Fusion S
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Honda Accord LX
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Nissan Altima 2.5 S
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Chevrolet Malibu L
|
|
Brake Rotors Front
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11.8"
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11.5"
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11.7"
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11.8"
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Brake Rotors Rear
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11.9"
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11.1"
|
11"
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11.3"
|
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Curb Weight
|
3472 lbs
|
3131 lbs
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3212 lbs
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3126 lbs
|
|
60-0 MPH
|
122 ft
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163 ft(est.)
|
116 ft
|
N/A
|
Honda Accord has the least reactive brakes which takes 163 feet to come to a standstill. The Altima and Malibu sneak up in between.
