Ford Fusion test drive since 2005 hatchback

Strong small

The English word fusion, meaning a mixture, alloy, is assigned to this model as a name, of course, for a reason. Compact Fusion combines some advantages of three types of cars of ordinary passenger car, minivan and SUV. It is excellently controlled, unusually spacious for its dimensions and, in addition, has a decent clearance and not killed elastic suspension. Yes, and outwardly disposes to itself, you can’t say anything. In a word, the client must be satisfied. And if at the same time, Ford Fusion is difficult to classify, then this, you see, is not the problem of not a client, but classifiers. For the same reason, by the way, his competitors are conditional. There are close in price and a number of other parameters (some are presented in comparative tables), but this is not exactly.
Well, now a little more about what the consumer appreciates Fusion, without releasing it from the TOP-25 of the best-selling foreign cars in Russia for several years in a row.
Habitat
Create a Ford designers, working on Fusion, solved such a tricky task from a resident of a large city, working on FUSION. And what pleases the modern metropolis in addition to the frantic rhythm of life, the boundless opportunities for business and entertainment? The acute shortage of parking spaces, crowds, and still specific city off -road high borders, lying policemen, tram tracks. And in Russian conditions, also seasonal charms like snowdrifts, ice or potholes. Fusion is obliged to cope with all this. Manage? The month of everyday use convinced me that yes, it succeeds. The metropolis is his native element, and he shows himself here very strong and dexterous small.
Firstly, you can park at such a Ford almost everywhere. With a length of four meters and a large angle of rotation of the front wheels, this exercise turns into fun. The main thing is that before the obstacles in front and behind, I assure at least 20 centimeters, and this space is enough to go on the road. By the way, scratches do not need to be afraid of the protruding parts of the bumpers are covered by unpainted plastic lining. In addition, top versions are equipped with parking sensors.
And the visibility, which in a dense city stream is especially important and is an element of security? She is on top. We can say, the driver is at a height, since the Fusion Vanov Genes provided a fairly high location of the seats. Plus, a aquarium glazing and fairly large lateral mirrors characteristic of this type of machines. At the wheel of this car you see everything around, and not just the bumper of the car walking in front.

It is clear that the ceiling is high above the head. Therefore, no one in such a crew is threatened with an attack of claustrophobia. And you know what else is important? The feeling of internal space in which there are no outsiders. I already somehow mentioned the study according to which one of the main causes of stress in a large city is its multiplicity, in the literal sense of the word. If a person get to work and back in public transport, he sees 250,000 persons per day! It turns out that the brain perceives even those who hit the field of lateral vision. But not everyone smiles, and even this cacophony from a rumble, grinding and voices ... cars, however, are also a lot, and the traffic jams are exhausted, but in a good salon you can still take refuge from external stimuli. It would still be useful, perhaps, tinted glass.
SUVs help to cope with road troubles. I can’t say how many millimeters it is in millimeters, because in no source the clearance is indicated in the source available to me. One thing I can say definitely: 15-centimeter borders for Fusion are not a barrier. From large brothers in the concern, adapted for off -road driving, this little car inherited a strong suspension. It guarantees a fairly comfortable movement, as if Knightin does not notice, but at the same time very elastic. There is not enough all -wheel drive, but even without it you feel quite confident at the wheel.
Not quite Fiesta
In terms of running qualities, Fusion naturally inherited a lot from the Fiesta model, on the platform of which it was created. Therefore, I got a cheerful character. On it, if desired, you can light it. The center of gravity, however, is located above, so the machine behaves in steep turns slightly differently. For example, demolition, if the driver went too far at a speed in a bend, comes a little earlier. This is partly compensated by the suspension settings that practically does not allow rolls. More importantly, you always easily predict the behavior of a compact machine, it is easy to merge with it and not make mistakes. There can be no complaints about controllability. The opposite effect on the steering wheel equipped with a hydraulic wrap is quite adequate, you always know exactly what angle should the steering wheel be in front of the maneuver.
At my disposal this time there was a car equipped with a 1.6-liter engine with a capacity of 100 forces and an automatic gearbox. Moreover, the automatic transmission, which happens infrequently, pleased me with rare quickness. Although I can’t help but notice that at high speeds, and the box allows you to twist the motor, it declares too loudly about himself in the cabin. By the way, any dealer offers, if I am not mistaken, to install proprietary sound insulation for two and a half thousand rubles. In my opinion, it is worthless to do it.

Fusion safety is ensured not only by a durable body of the body and scattering of airbags, as well as electronic systems that insure the driver in the ABS and EBD movement. Despite the fact that drum mechanisms are installed on the rear axle, no problems with slowdown. In addition to the road, the car is based on a fairly wide 15-inch tires for its class, which help to withstand the trajectory.
Behind and ahead
I checked the functionality of Fusion not by numbers, but empirically. Let's say the luggage compartment. It is convenient to use it even on close parking lots, because the departure of the rear door is very small. Without folding the rear seats, I somehow managed to place eleven packages from a supermarket behind them. Another time, two volumetric sports bags fit here. But, in order to immerse a large barbecue, I had to fold a smaller part of the rear sofa (in general, it folds in a ratio of 40:60).
However, the posterior seats can be called a sofa with a stretch, because they are quite stiff, and the backs are located almost perpendicular. The front seats in this regard are much more comfortable. To the best, soft stuffing no longer transfers the road relief to the body. As I said, they are located quite high. In this regard, the steering wheel was installed with the Minivan inclination. It is not possible to put it vertically not helped even by the only height adjustment. I personally, by the way, would like to see the second departure adjustment in this machine.
Fusion interior design makes a good impression as a whole. The two -tone color does not tire his eyes, rather pleases. And, paying attention to some bugs imposed on the front panel, I thought that women and children should especially like them. Yes, however, they did not bother me at all. The compact dashboard, consisting of a pair of round devices and the electronic scales of fuel and coolant temperature inscribed in them, has a strict oval shape and resembles a window in a diving helmet.
And a few more words about functionality. The right front chair folds, turning into a desk. The central console is crowned by a roomy niche, covered with a plastic lid. Under the driver's seat, a large drawer is hidden, which can keep valuable things from prying eyes. On this, in fact, a set of containers under the little things ends. The pockets in the doorway do not count, although they will allow, for example, roadmaps.
Well, Ford has created a successful mixture of different cars. Using the product received as a result, in my opinion, is convenient and pleasant.
 
Andrey Osipov
 

Source: Magazine Automobile Izvestia [June 2008]