Big Step Up

Not since the heyday of the Taurus more than a decade ago has Ford Motor Co. been able to strut with confidence about the design and performance of a midsize car offering.

The success of the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord confirms that an auto maker's identity is tightly tethered to its presence in the midsize car market.

The debut of the '06 Ford Fusion should stamp out any skepticism about the blue oval's ability to design and deliver a competitive family sedan.

With styling based on the 427 concept car that bowed in 2002, the Fusion represents a walk on the wild side for Ford.

Its bold, billet-aluminum grille — the face of Fords to come — invokes the same spirit of American design conveyed by the auto maker's cross-town rivals.

Much like Chrysler Group's LX cars and General Motors Corp.'s Cadillac CTS and STS sedans, Fusion is brash, but in degrees that are commensurate with its sub-$18,000 starting price. Fluid where the other, pricier models are edgy, the Fusion offers style without flamboyance.

Inward-sloping headlamps contribute to the Fusion's aggressive demeanor. And in keeping with the fluid theme, the lamps feature rounded “corners,” inspiring a distinctive shape Ford calls a “squircle.”

Triangular taillamps that sweep upward from the rear quarter panels amplify the rakish angle that gives the Fusion a wedge-like profile. The slightly raised rear deck also helps the car accommodate a trunk with 15.8 cu.-ft. (0.45 cu.-m.) of cargo space.

The chrome-tipped tail pipes available with the optional 3.0L V-6 belie its family-car roots. Inside, the Fusion takes a back seat to no competitor. Indeed, the back seat is one of its most satisfying features.

The Fusion and its upscale siblings, the Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr, are based on the same architecture as the Mazda6 sports sedan. And for this, Ford makes no apologies. Nor should it.

But the Mazda6, widely acclaimed for ride and handling, has been criticized for its small rear-seating area. Ford improves on this design by stretching the Fusion's length and width by 2.2 ins. (5.6 cm) and 1.2 ins. (3 cm), respectively, so a 6-ft. (1.8 m) passenger has legroom to spare.

However, with Ford's commitment to safety, the absence of a head restraint for the center, rear-seat passenger is unacceptable. The head restraints for the outer rear positions are equally disappointing. Though they satisfy federal regulations, they barely protrude above the backrest.

Meanwhile, the instrument panel's design is clean and tastefully accented with woodgrain or satin-metal finishes. The fit of the various door and dashboard panels is uniformly precise.

There is no complaint with the transmission. Mated to the 3.0L Duratec V-6, which puts out 221 hp and 205 lb.-ft. (278 Nm) of torque, the Fusion's 6-speed automatic transmission netted an average of 28 mpg (8.4L/100 km) between Sunset Blvd.'s uneven Los Angeles traffic patterns and the wide-open stretches of blacktop that snake past Topanga State Park.

The standard 2.3L I-4 — expected to account for more than 40% of the Fusion's volume — likely will deliver better than 30 mpg (7.8L/100 km) without compromising driving enjoyment.

The Fusion's short-and-long-arm, coil-over-shock front suspension is lifted directly from the Mazda6, but the power steering boost curve is specially calibrated. As a result, the Fusion provides superior steering feedback while retaining a reassuring effortlessness.

The current setup, combined with a stiffer frame than the Mazda6, keeps the car well planted and flat. This nailed-down performance can only be enhanced next year when Ford adds all-wheel drive to the Fusion's option list.

The Fusion is a credible challenger for the Accord. But compared with the Camry and Chevrolet Malibu, Ford wins in a walk.

'06 Ford Fusion (V-6)

Vehicle type: Front-engine, front-wheel drive, 5-passenger 4-door sedan

Engine: 3L (2,967 cc) DOHC V-6, aluminum block/aluminum heads

Power (SAE net): 221 hp @ 6,250 rpm

Torque: 205 lb.-ft. (278 Nm) @ 4,800 rpm

Compression ratio: 10:1

Bore × stroke (mm): 89 × 79.5

Transmission: 6-speed automatic

Wheelbase: 107.4 ins. (273 cm)

Overall length: 190.2 ins. (483 cm)

Overall width: 72.2 ins. (183 cm)

Overall height: 57.2 ins. (145 cm)

Curb weight: 3,280 lbs. (1,488 kg)

EPA fuel economy, city/highway (mpg): 21/29

Market competition: Chevrolet Malibu; Honda Accord; Mazda6; Nissan Altima; Toyota Camry; Volkswagen Passat