Why the Fusion is the Legacy of the Ford Sedan

The automotive landscape is changing rapidly. Crossovers are rapidly replacing the sedan, and the 2020 Ford Fusion, still available at Ford dealers in Cincinnati, will be the final model year of Ford’s last sedan. Although Ford’s car line will continue with the popular two-door Ford Mustang sports car, this is the end of the road for Ford’s practical four-door sedans. But while much of the world flocks to the new look of crossovers, the 2020 Fusion continues to offer the benefits of the classic sedan body style.

History

The history of the sedan is largely the history of the car, and the difference between the 1908 Model T and the 2020 Fusion is a demonstration of everything that has happened in that history. When the Model T was introduced, cars were still often referred to as horseless carriages, and even things like the basic controls were noticeably different than what is universally used today. Over the past century, the car has come a long way. But while hand-crank engine ignition, bicycle-style tires, and kerosene powered headlights would be replaced as time went on, the basic layout of four doors and a rear cargo area would endure.

As the century continued, the humble sedan would accrue many separate types of advancements, all leading to the ultimate Ford sedan of today. Seatbelts, disc brakes, Macpherson strut suspension, laminated safety glass, advanced high-strength lightweight metal alloys, and many other advancements were developed and integrated into cars over time. All of these wound up in the sedans of the eras between the Model T and the Fusion.

Such legendary names as Falcon, Fairlane, Galaxie, and Torino were all undergirded by strong sales of their sedan configurations, passing from the 50s into the 70s. The LTD, Crown Victoria, and Taurus all continued this legacy into the 80s and 90s, sporting that same four-door layout with added toughness and improved packaging.

Moving into the new millennium, Ford sedans were respected the world over and formed the backbone of America’s law enforcement and taxi fleets. They were understated workhorses, getting the job done without fuss and without headlines. The Fusion is the heir to that history and comes packed with all the advancements made over those years.

Technology

The technology of the 2020 Fusion would astound not just the drivers of the Model T but of the sedans of almost every decade leading up to the 2010s. The current Fusion includes enhanced SYNC voice recognition standard, which allows the driver to control the onboard entertainment and communications systems with their voice alone. AppLink, also included as standard, makes this feature even more useful by using your voice commands to control compatible cell phone apps hands-free.

The standard 4.2 inch LCD screen helps one keep a handle on all the capability at their fingertips, and an optional full-color 8-inch touchscreen display adds further to the capability at one’s fingertips. Other standard features include 911 Assist, which can use a Bluetooth-connected phone to automatically call for help if the airbags are deployed in an accident. Furthermore, SYNC can relate one’s current location to the 911 operator autonomously, even if the phone is still stowed away. This is just one of the suite of smart safety systems integrated into the Ford Fusion.

Joining it are a host of systems like blind spot sensors, lane-keeping assist, pedestrian detection with automatic emergency braking, reverse sensors, and many more. On the entertainment side, the 2020 Fusion has the option to be fully compatible with Apple Carplay and Android Auto, not to mention a 10-speaker audio system. The car can even be optioned with SiriusXM satellite radio and its own Wi-Fi Hotspot, capable of supporting up to ten devices all at the same time.

Performance

While the gadgets and conveniences of a modern sedan are impressive, its abilities as a mode of transport are what are most directly comparable to the sedans of old, and they would shock an engineer of the early 20th century. There is a wide range of drivetrain options for the 2020 Fusion, and two of them are EcoBoost engines. These EcoBoost engines are turbocharged, something which only began to see frequent use in cars in the 1970s. Around that time, turbocharging was being popularized by the likes of Porsche and Formula One to increase power, but these days the turbine-based technology is also used to help boost efficiency.

Other high-performance engine technologies that could barely be dreamt about at the time were direct-injection and variable valve timing, both of which are not just used to boost the 2020 EcoBoost-equipped Fusion’s power but also its fuel economy and efficiency. The Fusion also features hybrid and plug-in Hybrid variants, making fuel stops largely obsolete other than when on long road trips. The electric motors that help drive the Fusion’s hybrid models offer instant torque, which translates into a surprising burst of power when the accelerator is depressed in electric mode.

Practicality

While technology and performance are important to the Fusion’s history, the reason the sedan body style was so long-lived is that it made practical sense. Just like all its Ford sedan forebearers, the Fusion easily carries both passengers and cargo in surprisingly large amounts without fuss. The 2020 Fusion seats five, with an impressive 44.3 inches of maximum front legroom. Rear legroom is also quite good at 38.3 inches, while the shoulder and hip room in the rear are just as good as many midsize SUV crossovers.

Total passenger volume is suitably voluminous 102.8 cubic feet, enough to make driver and passengers feel open and uncrowded in the sedan’s interior. The trunk has a very reasonable 16 cubic feet of space. If that is not enough, the rear seat has a 60/40 fold-down capability to give you even more cargo space. Overall, the Fusion can take care of just about any situation with room to spare.

Style

These days, big and tall crossovers are all the rage, but the Fusion sedan offers a look uncommon in the modern era. Comparatively low slung and less in your face than a crossover, the Fusion’s lines are simultaneously stately and unassuming. One style trait the Fusion has that crossovers tend to lack is that it can be mistaken for a far more extravagant and lavish vehicle at a glance. The legacy of the sedan is classic, and the lines of the Fusion are classic as well, managing to look distinctly modern with a reserved demeanor rather than screaming faux toughness.

Pick up a Piece of History

The Fusion is a rare breed, both in terms of its look and its unique set of abilities. The most powerful 2020 Fusion variant has over 240 hp and available all-wheel-drive. All 2020 Fusions can seat five while carrying a load of groceries in the trunk, and the hybrid variants can make getting gas into a monthly event instead of a weekly one. While the masses flock to the new crossovers, the legacy of the Ford sedan endures in what is one of the most practical and refined examples of a Ford sedan ever made. The Fusion may not be around forever, but right now, you can get one locally in Cincinnati here at Kings Ford.