Why You Should Consider a Used Ford Fusion

In 2012, Forbes released its list of the 10 Most-Reliable Used Cars on the market. Eight out of 10 of those vehicles were Japanese, and the only Ford in the top 10 was the Ford Fusion. Forbes describes the Fusion as “stately and comfortable.” The Ford F-150 came away with an honorable mention.

The Fusion is not just reliable, though. It’s also quite fuel-efficient and, especially if you purchase one used, affordable for even the most budget-conscious buyer. Most truly economical vehicles are stiflingly small, but the Ford Fusion is an extra spacious midsize four-door sedan large enough to transport five adults, and this modern marvel still gets 23 miles per gallon in the city and 30 on the highway.

Engine

The used Ford Fusion is available in both automatic and manual models—and in both V-6 and four-cylinder versions—both of which are ready-manufactured with a six-speed automatic transmission and 175 horsepower. The high-end option, the Hybrid model, carries a four-cylinder backed by an electric powertrain that bumps the horsepower up to a combined 191.

Performance

The Fusion boasts a comfortable and relaxing ride that is pure fun to drive, especially if you choose the manual version and revel in having more control over your car than drivers of automatics. The handling is smooth, yet sharp and crisp.

The Ford EcoBoost® engines provide a combination of surprising power (for a midsize sedan) and efficiency. Each of the three engine choices come with standard Auto Start-Stop functionality. All three use a combination of twin independent variable cam timing, direct injection, and turbocharging technologies to increase performance and extend the longevity of your vehicle.

Safety

The Fusion is also one of the safest midsize sedans you can find, as all models come standard with six airbags, stability control, and antilock brakes. The Fusion line has gotten a five-star crash test National Highway Traffic Safety Administration rating for six years in a row. A used Ford Fusion is the perfect vehicle to be your child’s first car. The peace of mind that comes from knowing your child is safe behind the wheel of a multi-ton vehicle bolting down the highway is priceless, and for a sedan, you can’t beat the durability of the Fusion.

Features

The features that come standard with the Fusion don’t stop there. Newer editions of the used Ford sedan include heated power-adjusted seats, a power moonroof, leather seats and upholstery, crossing-traffic and blind-spot alert systems, a booming Sony audio system, and more. The newer Fusions also come equipped with satellite radio, a rear-view camera, and a DVD navigation system.

Aesthetics

We’ll be frank—the Ford Fusion is not going to be the most beautiful car you have ever seen. It looks like your standard sedan because that is exactly what it is. Over the past few years, the Fusion has grown in popularity, and now you can spot a Fusion frequently on the road if you are looking for them. If you’re not specifically looking for Fusions, it’s likely you won’t even notice them. The model is quite common, and it looks like the average four-door economy car.

Not that you want to look just like everyone else on the road or anything, but being under the radar when driving can be a good thing. That Corvette that turns heads as it growls across the asphalt also turns the head of law enforcement officers, whose responsibility and calling it is to give tickets to speed demons in their sports cars. Buying a used Ford Fusion is not about pomp and flash but about reliability, sensibility, comfort, and affordability.

Auto Start-Stop

This exciting new function helps make the Fusion even more economically and environmentally friendly than most cars in its class. When you stop at a traffic light or begin to idle in traffic, the Fusion’s engine goes to sleep. It works just like your laptop does when you don’t move the mouse for a few minutes, cutting down on harmful emissions released into the air as well as your gas costs. The other features in the car that run on power, aside from the engine, continue to function, such as the air conditioner and the radio.

Electric Power-Assisted Steering

Another convenient feature that comes standard on newer models of the Fusion is EPAS or electric power-assisted steering. The steering automatically senses and adjusts to varying speeds, loosens up when you are driving slowly so you have more assistance, and tightens when you increase speed to allow you more control when you need it the most. EPAS also detects road conditions and wind speed and compensates accordingly to keep the steering wheel from vibrating and jerking, allowing for a smoother and more relaxing driving experience. The drift control feature alerts the driver if they are drifting out of their lane. Drift control gently nudges the car back in the right direction.

Intelligent All-Wheel Drive

Intelligent All-Wheel Drive, or IAWD, is available on the Ford Fusion’s SE, Titanium, Sport, and Platinum models. This feature functions by utilizing sensors to balance out the torque between the front and rear tires to improve traction and handling, preventing skidding and wheel slippage in wet road conditions and providing a newer, smarter take on four-wheel drive technology.

Affordability

The all-new 2018 Ford Fusion ranges from an estimated $22,000 to $32,000 for the fully loaded hybrid version. Although used Ford Fusion prices vary greatly depending on the miles traveled, general wear and tear, and the vehicle’s history, prices tend to fall around $15,000 or even less for models that are just one year old. You’ll see going rates of around $12,000 or less for Fusions that are only two to three years old. With prices that affordable and the fuel efficiency that a used Ford Fusion would provide, drivers can feel good about their purchases up front and continue to save money down the line, which is probably why the Fusion has gained so much popularity in recent years. When customers save money on that level and still feel like they got a great car to boot, they are much more likely to become repeat Fusion buyers.

The Fusion is not the only car out there that is affordable and fuel efficient. There are other cars on the market that are also reliable, and many of them come with new and exciting technological features, too. There are cars that match the Fusion when it comes to safety features and crash test ratings, and there are cars that are more sporty-looking and glamorous to drive, to be sure. However, when you evaluate the whole package that a used Ford Fusion has to offer, it’s at least worth a bit of consideration to find out whether it’s a good option for you. There’s a reason the model has become one of the most popular domestic sedans on the market. If you are in the market for a used car, try taking a Fusion out for a test drive—and see for yourself why it’s made such a splash.