Ford Fusion test drive since 2005 hatchback

High sample alloy

Thanks to the successful concept, which consists in the alloy (this is how Fusion is translated) compact sizes, roomy salon, solid appearance and considerable clearance, this Ford found many adherents. Those who still think about the choice should listen to the opinion of Pavel Leonov. Photo: Konstantin Yakubov.
Position in the market
In Europe, Fuzhn made his debut in March 2002. It was built on the basis of his younger sister of Fiesta, although there are much larger in size. The body combines the features of the hatchback, the station wagon and, perhaps, Mikroven. The manufacturer even introduced for this model the term UAV (Urban Activity Vehicle vehicle for active movement around the city. In 2005, the model was restored, this year we hope to see the next generation.
Fusion competitors do not have direct competitors, although some attribute to such nissan naut, Suzuki-INIS and the like. The main battle for the consumer’s wallet unfolds with models that are close in price: Chevrolet-Latsetti, Nissan-Almer Classic, Hyundai-Elantra, inexpensive modifications of Kia Sid, Opel-Astra, Citroen-S4, and of course, a comparison with the focus suggests itself. True, dealers note that this form usually comes purposefully.
Configurations and prices
The most affordable fusion costs 394 500 rubles*. For this money, you get a car with a 1.4 liter engine (80 hp) and mechanics in the simplest configuration of KORE (Core), which includes the ABS anti -lock system with the electronic distribution of the EBD brake force, the front and side airbags for the driver And the front passenger, the Pats immobilizer, the steering column adjustable in the corner of the slope, the power steering, adjustable in height, the driver's seat folding in the proportion of 40:60, the back of the rear sofa, fog lights and 15-inch steel wheels. But there is not even a central castle, not to mention the air conditioner, but you will have to raise glasses and you will have to adjust the mirrors manually.
Therefore, the next version of the trend (Trend) is more interesting. Prices for it start with 429 500 rubles. The standard equipment, among other things, already includes electrified glasses (though only front) and mirrors (with heating), a central lock with DU, an audio system with a CD player and a folding back of the front passenger seat, which allows you to transport long-meters up to 2.3 m, and The interior looks much richer by the finish of the inner door handles for aluminum and a leather braid of the steering wheel. But here there is no air conditioner, which at such a price is difficult to justify. True, he is in the list of options, but the surcharge for it (28 900 rubles) makes this car only 5100 rubles cheaper than the Elegance modification, where the coolness is guaranteed already in the database.
Whether to overpay these same 5100 rubles for the control of the radio on the steering wheel, an armrest for the driver, individual lighting lamps for the inhabitants of the first row, as well as some decor elements in the form of a door handle painted in the color of the body and chrome radiator bars, each decides for himself. We think it is worth it. After all, the surcharge is a little more than a percent of the final cost of the car is not so significant. In addition, only in this configuration you can order automatic transmission, and the cost of some options is cheaper than similar for other configurations. For example, radio package No. 13, in which a six-disc CD chamber appears, costs 6,200 rubles for Eleans, for trend 8000, and for Cor even 18,100.
The list of options itself depends on the selected modification; The more expensive the version, the longer the list. In our opinion, the IVD course sustainability system (available only on cars with a manual transmission) for 19,200 rubles, side safety curtains (9600) and the central rear headrest (800) deserve special attention (800).
It will be decided on the final list of goods before the purchase is completed by the fusion radio, alarm or the same windows will later be difficult and, most importantly, not cheap. After all, multiplex wiring used on the machine does not tolerate rude intervention, co-Bus coordinating modules are required, and each costs at least 1,400 rubles.
Sales statistics say that few options order additional options to take what is available by saving several months of waiting. The main share of sales (61.8%) falls on the most expensive eleance equipment, followed by a trend (32.4%) and closes the list of Kor (5.8%).
The manufacturer does not offer a special Russian package, but, according to the company's representative office in Russia, all marketing packages listed in the price list are formed taking into account the needs and conditions of the Russian market. In addition, the machine is initially well adapted to our conditions of the front and rear shelters, an energy -intensive suspension and, as already noted, a considerable clearance.
Engine and body
In addition to the already mentioned 80-horsepower engine, a 1.6-liter engine with a capacity of 100 hp is also provided. Both can aggregate with a 5-speed manual transmission. A more powerful can work in pairs and with a 4-speed automatic Durashift (but only in the Eleans), and a tandem with a Durashift EST robotic box is provided for 1.4 liters. It is better to abandon the last option to hurt a lot of complaints causes a robot U and specialists. The main claim is thoughtful with sharp acceleration. More or less confident gear shifts can be achieved only in manual mode. A reasonable choice of manual transmission, because the version with an automaton costs more than half a million, and overpayment for rest for the right hand will be 32,000 rubles. In addition, the version with the automatic transmission is not so easy to buy accents expressed in the quotas of supplies, not in her favor. Some dealers do not see such modifications for six months.
The difference in modifications with engines 1.4 and 1.6 liters is 24,000 rubles. The latter eats gasoline about half a liter more, but the increase in the moment (due to a larger volume) is very noticeable. Therefore, when choosing, focus primarily on operating conditions. We believe that the surcharge is justified, since egoists infrequently buy such a car for themselves, and transporting the family and goods requires more energy -coating than capable of offering a Fuzhn with a 1.4 liter engine. This is especially felt when the air conditioner is included. Buyers share the sympathies between both engines almost equally, a little more willing to vote in the ruble for 1.6 liters.
The 1.6 L engine is the optimal solution for this multifunctional car.
SAFETY
All cars, as noted above, have at least four airbags and are equipped with ABS with EBD already in the database. In addition, you can order an IVD course stability system and lateral safety curtains.
In the Crash test conducted by the EURONCAP in 2003, the car was awarded four stars for passenger protection, gaining 24 points (out of 36 possible): 11 (out of 16) for the frontal blow and 13 (out of 18) for the side. The mannequins did not like the excessive pressure on the chest, pain in the knees with a frontal impact and chest pain and plus also in the abdominal cavity, pelvic and ribs with side.
The manufacturer took care of ISOFIX not provided about children. Yes, and it is impossible to transport them on the front passenger seat in a special armchair with a back forward, because the pillow does not turn off. For the protection of pedestrians, Fuzhn was awarded two stars (out of four possible).
But do not forget that in the Crash test there was a prerestyled machine equipped only with frontal airbags, so customers and owners of updated cars can count on a higher level of protection.
Four airbags and ABS with EBD already in the database are a worthy set for this class.
MAINTENANCE
The manufacturer gives a guarantee for all the fusion two years or 100,000 km (depending on what will come earlier). For an additional fee, you can become a member of the Ford Service Program, which will increase this period up to four years, and mileage to 150,000 km (depending on the selected type of program). The warranty on the body from through corrosion is six years. Interior intervals are installed in 20,000 km. With such terms, not for long and forget that the car, in general, must be served.
The cost of each (it includes the replacement of oil, oil, air and salon filters, as well as checking the main nodes and car assemblies) fixed and amounts to 4353 rubles. For all other work will have to be paid separately. For example, the replacement of the fuel filter costs 1352 rubles, spark plugs 988, brake fluid 1516, front/rear pads 25584127/32895071 (the difference in price is due to the use of different materials), etc. The timing belt with rollers and pumping is changed by 120,000 km The run, and this procedure adds about 21,000 rubles to the cost of maintenance.
There are no long lines for that, but it is necessary to sign up in advance; Waiting time from two days to a week. The body repair will have to wait much longer from one to five months.
The winter campaign-2008/2009 program continues to operate, which will last until February 28 this year. It provides for checking the brake discs and pads, shock absorbers, the state of rubber and disks, the steering and suspension, wiper brushes, battery, level of working fluids, body condition and paintwork for only 900 rubles.
As for weaknesses, the car does not have so many of them. Typically, the owners complain of too hard the suspension, mediocre sound insulation, coolness in the legs when driving at medium and high speeds, even when the stove is working with might and main and sensitivity to the quality of gasoline. Reliability can also be judged by the ratings of the German TUV, in which the fusion among two to three-year-old cars shares the third place with Porsche-911.
The maintenance and maintenance of this car will not become a severe burden for the family.
Buying a car
Buying fusion is not a problem almost all demanded modifications are available. Lack of trading organizations is also not observed. In Moscow alone, there are about two dozen of them, and there are 134 dealers and a subsidier in total. Some versions will have to wait about two weeks, but if you send a special order to the factory, then six months are not the limit, because, unlike the focus, Fuzn is not collected in Russia.
With tightening the requirements for the issuance of loans, the frequent cases of failures and the increase in interest rates, the proposal of the Ford program on credit is very favorable: the interest rate is 6.9% with an initial contribution of 20%.
Gray sellers with the disappearance of the queues, this model ceased to interest. They are now more focused on scarce goods or rare modifications.
Puelibility and secondary market
Mining the fusion is not so simple, despite the fact that the standard provides only for an immobilizer. In terms of persistence to hacking, this Ford system is included in the top ten in Europe, besides, Fuzn does not use the love of hijackers, so everyone decides to do whether to equip the car with an additional alarm (do not forget about the difficulties with multiplex wiring).
The cost of the CASCO policy begins with 5% of the cost of the car, then it all depends on the appetites of specific insurers.
There are no special problems with liquidity in the secondary market. In the first year, they lose about 1520% of the cost, in the next 812%. With sale, as well as with a purchase, there should be no problems.
Fuzhn was very fond of the Russians who appreciated his consumer qualities. This is partly a consequence of memorable multi -month queues on the most popular model with a blue oval on the grille of the radiator focus. But with the disappearance of the deficiency, the pace of sales of the fusion does not decrease. Although at a price he was already close to his older brother, and in some trim levels he surpassed it. So, according to statistics, the car is in 11th place in the ranking of the best-selling foreign models in Russia, and soon, perhaps, it will also enter the top ten, overtaking the baby Deu-Matiz. The difference between them is calculated by some dozens.
As the calculation shows, in the operation of the FUZHN (index of ZR 24) cheaper Chevrolet-Latsetti (index ZR 16).
Index ZR
It is calculated as a difference between two values. The first maximum permissible cost of operation during the year, which, according to our experience, should not exceed 40% of its initial cost for any car. This is the maximum. From it we subtract the second number of percentage of expenses for the operation of the studied modification of the car for the first 30,000 km of the run to its initial price. At the same time, we take into account the cost of OSAGO and CASCO policies (the price of the first is established by law, for the second we take average value), transport tax (according to the tax service), the cost of planned ones (according to the regulations and prices of official dealers), fuel costs (we consider the recommended by the factory the manufacturer and the expense indicated by him in the mixed cycle). The resulting difference is the ZR index. The larger it is, the relatively cheaper operation. By this parameter, we will compare cars.
For example, the expenses of the operation of the Ford-Fusion-Feed for the first 30,000 km are 16% of its price. We subtract this indicator from the maximum 40% and get an index equal to 24.
Our choice of FUZHN with an engine of 1.6 liters and manual transmission, the equipment of the eleganes. Index ZR 24.
Ford Fusion modifications prices
 

*Prices for the time of preparation of the material (December 2008).
The editors thank the company independence of Ford for help in preparing the material.
 
 

Source: The magazine "Driving"