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Comments
The Fusion is Sizzling
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
"All I've seen are the ones on the lot."
Where else would you expect to see one? Or were you referring to the lack of advertising?
I haven't read the article but I don't think GA is any worse than other large cities - it's still a function of supply and demand. And a lot of it has to do with the specific dealer.
On a different note, I really wonder about how accurate these reported EPA mpg ratings are in respect to the stick vs. auto debate. I just think there's too much variability with sticks. With an auto it's more cut and dry as the car is choosing the upshift points. With a stick, driving style is a much bigger factor.
I, for one, am an early upshifter. When I'm not passing or merging, I'm in the highest gear possible without lugging the engine. E.g., when driving in a 45 zone in my current car if can cruise comfortably in 4th or 5th, I'll choose fifth but I know folks out there that would cruise along in fourth under identical conditions. Thus, it makes me wonder, how long do they hang on each gear when accelerating for those EPA tests and when at cruise, are they erring on the side of the lower or higher gears? My theory is they're erring on the side of caution by selecting the lower gears when there is a choice and upshifting later rather than earlier when accelerating. Better to promise less and deliver more than vice versa, right? Again, it's just a theory.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I would presume they are in the highest gear possible to maximize economy. What gets me is that I read in Car and Driver last night that the EPA test is based on an acceleration rate of 3.3 mph per second. So 0-60 takes 18 seconds. How many of us actually do that??
The Zephyr is mostly a known quantity at this point. We know what the engine and chassis can do from the coverage of the Fusion. Sure Lincoln will have their own customizations, but the Zephyr isn't going to be a night and day change from the Fusion. You'd expect some of the complaints about the Fusion to show up in a Zephyr review, that's all. I'm sure a full review of this car will reveal a few areas that could stand improvement; it was just strange to see such a grand slam preview of a car that's setting fairly low expectations in the industry.
Trust me, I'm a Ford guy from way back, so I notice when the imports get the red carpet treatment when they don't deserve it. If this were a Lexus review my reaction would be the same, especially if it were a Lexus that we all knew was only changed slightly from the Toyota platform it was based on.
The old red and burgandy interior of domestic cars (especially GM) is pretty ugly, but I bet someone could come up with something appealing that isn't gray, beige or black.
P.S.- Kudos to Ford for offering the Fusion with black interior in addition to the standard issue gray and beige.
The EPA apparently has their own spec's for upshifting. However, they allowed manufacturers to test based on an earlier upshift IF they car is equipped with an upshift recommendation light. I believe VW was one of the first to have this, then they took it out, currently the Ford Focus and Cobalt have it.
I get quite good mileage by driving conservatively and "reading" the traffic ahead - I can easily beat the EPA "combined" mileage rating by a good amount (having a mostly freeway commute helps). I have less luck with automatics, which I attribute to two factors: 1. the automatics these days won't upshift early, and they downshift easily; and 2. I drive an automatic harder - with the stick shift, a lot of cars beat me away from traffic lights (I let them) but with an automatic I am keepin up with them, or passing them. Go figure.
BTW, I will accelerate up to redline when called for by traffic. Just I don't do this all the time.
Actually that sounds about like how the majority of people drive...and I am tired of being behind them :mad: .
The "shift light"...I had this in a 1886 Horizon. This was supposed to tell the driver when they could shift and it would lead to really early shifts if you actually shifted when it came on.
I tend to accelerate much faster with a manual than an automatic and I also shift at higher rpm than an automatic would.
I understand what your saying, but there are cute little tricks you can do to a tranny and make a car a little faster. Also, Lincoln made the walls of the V6 a little thicker than that of the Fusion/Milan to make it smoother and quieter. It's no telling what else they may have done.
The Saturn ION still has one of these shift lights. I remember back in the early/mid-'80s they were in just about every compact and smaller. Annoying as hell!
How about driving down the street on a test drive. Or somebody just got it new with temp tags. That is where else I might see one.
The Lexus Es330. I'm guessing the only real complaint that you can say about the Fusion to this point is the interior might not be appealing to everybody. lincoln made a point to make sure the Zephyr has an extremely well executed Interior. One complaint I've heard about the Fusion, is that the steering wheel feels heavy. The Zephyr has speed sensitive steering from what I understand. So I'm guessing Lincoln may have covered all the real weakness of the Fusion/Milan.
So not seeing them on the roads doesn't necessarily mean they're not selling. They just don't have that many to sell yet.
Hey It's not how much you have. It's what you do with it that counts. LOL
PS
please don't go into the gutter people
LMAO
So not seeing them on the roads doesn't necessarily mean they're not selling. They just don't have that many to sell yet.
True, and in ATL car dealership are all over the place. I'm serious they are like Mcdonald's, it seems like there's one on every corner.
Well you could say that, however. The engine in the 500 is the base 3.0 V6 that's been around sense the Taurus. Obviously, Ford didn't want the 500 to be a barn burner with only 201hp. The F/M/Z have the same 3.0 V6 but the engine has been modified with VVT, and dual exhaust, so the HP is up to 221HP. Like you stated the F/M/Z are a lot lighter and smaller, with sportier tuned suspension. so the F/M/Z are going to give the driver a more spirited drive.
went to 2 dealers. neither has a fusion. i just wanted to look.
Personally, I'd pick the Five Hundred based on looks alone over any of those, but it is slightly less responsive than those cars. Ford has even stated that more power is on the way (assuming they mean the 3.5L).
I suppose the reason for giving the F/M/Z the 3.5L earlier is due to the much higher expected sales volumes. Many of its competitors do have more power. But the Fusion will do 0-60 in 7.2 seconds. I doubt many mid-size buyers would want much more than that.
I remember seeing a chart online somewhere about a year ago that showed the F/M/Z getting the 3.5L around 5/06 and the Five Hundred/Montego getting it roughly a year later.
Anyone know when the 3.5L will actually be introduced?
Ford Fusion "Grown and Sexy"
Ya know, I really don't get this chronic complaint on this car, and mostly on the 500. I rented a 500 from Hertz in San Diego today, and drove it to Las Vegas. For those of you who aren't familiar with this 6 hour drive through boredom, there is one particular 18 mile long grade just past Baker California, that is a real test of an automobile's strength - many cars have to turn off their A/C so as not to overheat, in fact there's a sign at the bottom telling drivers to do just that. Not only did my 500 take this grade with the A/C on, it took it with one downshift, never lost speed, the cruise control stayed on and the heat guage didn't even move, and when I got to Vegas, I had just under half a tank of fuel left, from San Diego! Now I don't call that car underpowered, and I've driven many a car up that grade that have died on the way, or needed to creep up at 45 mph with the A/C off to make it. I went up it at 80 mph. It may not be a rocket - but it's got enough, and the gas mileage for a large car like that was outstanding. I say, way to go Bill! That car's a winner. I'm sure the Zephyr is just as good. If it only didn't have that damn prop rod......
Hey your the playa, save up your pennies and get the Zephyr. It has speed sensitive steering, so no heavy steering. Also, take into account what I said. I've "heard" (better yet read) some reviews complain about it being a little heavy. However, C & D found it to be "linear and accurate" so hey don't take my word for it. Try it out for yourself, It might not be heavy to you at all. Like I said before, I take what the media says for a grain of salt. To each it's own I guess. So don't let that be a deal breaker for you that's all I'm saying, just be aware some people said, "to them" it seemed heavy.
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2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
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Styling, price, comfort, ride, steering, quality, quietness, are all outstanding and to think you get all of this for that price. Ford has an absolute winner.
PS-Live on the Maryland side of the DC area and I have only seen 1 other Fusion on the road besides mine and that was yesterday. I have not seen any TV ads on the major channels, ABC, NBC, CBS or FOX. Did see one on a cable channel earlier in the week.
That's their plan I guess. Remember, Ford was doing a series of concerts and are probably doing much localized promotion - ie parking Fusions near club areas, et al.
Mark
ALso, to fusion owners, is there a trunk light, how about glovebox?
Honeslty, these thingsa are dealbreakers for me. Those little details are very important, and if Ford is saving so much money hiring Mexicans to build this car, they should include lights.
That said the car is awesome. 2nd place in a C&D test. The honda won. Of course it won, open up a C&D mag and someware somehow a honda will win something. Meybe honda helped them get established?
Yes to the trunk light in my SEL. I can't remember if it has a glove box light but I will check tonight and report tomorrow if no one else responds.
Please respond to pr@edmunds.com by Friday, Nov. 4, 2005 with your daytime contact information and city of residence.
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
Review your vehicle