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Ford Fusion/Mercury Milan Design: Love It or Not?
What do you like or dislike about the FF/MM design?
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Even though I don't own a Fusion or Milan, I do feel as though each of these vehicle's exterior styling is better than that of the current generation Accord, Altima, Camry, Malibu, Maxima, Sonata, etc. There is one change to the Fusion that I would make, and then it would be just right for me. That would be the tail lights. I don't care for the chrome backing when the tail light lenses are clear. The same issue exists for the Altima. Obviously these types of things are subjective. But other than this, I feel as though the Fusion and Milan both are great-looking mid-size sedans. I'd drive one and be proud of it.
Ron M.
I found some pictures of modfied fusions on-line, one had all red tail lights another had made the chrome part dark. Both looked better to me, I especially liked the dark outlined ones. Seems like that would go good with the black chrome grill that is coming.
For looks the Mazda6 cousin of the Fusion/Milan is better, imo.
It's an opinion that we share, Scape. The Asian cars have such plain Jane styling, except for the Nissan Altima which I just don't care for at all.
I like Cookies and Cream myself.
Remmeber, Toyota is more of a marketing and manufacturering company that a "car company" in my mind. The Accord always had better performance numbers than the Camry. The Corolla doesn't even have an independant rear suspension!
Rarely is there new ground breaking tech in a Toyota (hybrid) notwithstanding. Toyota wants to make the best boring cars on the market.
Mark.
They have been very successful at what they do. That's for sure. And, because of their dedication to moderation, their cars age gracefully. I really can't tell a 2000 Toyota Camry from a 2007 one just by looking at it. That is probably a big positive, too.
+1 (I agree.)
You forgot to mention about $20,000 more too!... :surprise:
Take a look at the last Motor Trend and see how much quicker a TL automatic is than a v6 AUTO Fusion, there is a real surprise!
Interior packageing is outdated, fit and finish is subpar for segment (don't believe then look closely at the ground effects kit, it looks like it was bolted on by a 17yo kid who never did it before.)
Ride Dynamics are also subpar for segment.
The TL falls flat on its face if you match it head to head to a Nissan Maxima, let alone a Infiniti G35. I won't bring up the Lincoln MKZ as that car really doesn't have sporty aspirations.
Mark.
I can see the CTS comparison some are making in the angularity, verticality, and big buttedness.
Mark.
You forgot to mention about $20,000 more too!...
I didn't know Fusions could be had in the low teens! If what scape says is true, then Fusions must not be selling well at the price Ford is asking!
The 18 inch tires turn this in to a track car. Ok a really heavy track car but its still a huge difference from the 16 inch contis on the SE.
Also if you don't like the in your face chrome of the grill, standard on Fusion, the Sport Package has kind of a darker chrome. It looks very after market. Also the spoiler is unique from the optional $295 spoiler.
The wheels are great. The only down side is the red inserts in the leather seats. But it is in line with the mission of the car.
The suspenion didn't seem any harsher. I always thought that the standard set up was pretty good though. IMHO the weak link in Fusion handeling is those icky 16 inch Contis which are way to easy to push.
The Sport Package is great for people who want less bling and more sting.
Mark.
If you want a really great car, look at a Milan Premier FWD V6. If you don't add moonroof, upgraded radio, etc. You get a very well equipped car for around 23k. And you get SYNC!
Mark.
I share your opinion completely. Style and design were a big part of why we bought a 2007 SEL AWD Ford Fusion on Dec. 4, 2006.
I thought it was for the fuel economy.....
(just kidding! Don't go there!)
Allen,
You've got a keen memory and a sharp sense of humor. Actually, I did something a body should never do: I believed our federal government (the EPA) when it stated the car would deliver 19 mpg in all-city driving. Since we bought the Fusion the EPA revised the mileage downward, to 17 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, which the car did during the first 1,500 miles of ownership.
For the first 2,500 miles the car would not do better than 13 mpg in all-city, stop-'n'-go driving but gradually improved to a constant 14.8 mpg. Now, with 5,000 miles on it the last tankful fill-up yielded 16.4 mpg for all-city driving.
What we should have bought was an I4 manual SEL instead of a V6 AWD. Hindsight is always 20-20. Still, with the exception of the city mileage, it has been -- and continues to be -- a very nice mid-size automobile that we enjoy very much.
Consumer reports had some very good things to say about Ford. Toyota slips.. AGAIN..
The Milan still looks athletic and elegant. The interior is perhaps a bit plainer than the new Malibu or the 2009 Sonata, but it is functional and comfortable. I'd like to see updates to the interior with fewer cut lines and more elegant door panels, but the exterior is still strikingly good looking for a mid-size family car.
Styling and ride/handling balance won my wife's choice. For me value was important too. A luxuriously equipped Milan was in practice more like the entry price level for some competitors. Style opens the door (is it acceptable?) but value seals the deal.
Our I4 5-speed automatic is deliverying 27 mpg + in a 60/40 highway/city mix (average speed about 31 according to the driver's information center). That's very respectable for a new engine in a near luxury mid-size car.
I personally prefer the Milan's waterfall grill and wider headlights to the three-bar Fusion grill. I like the Fusion, but the Milan is more sophisticated and elegant with the same basic body panels.
Among midsize competitors I like the exterior styling of Malibu the best, the Milan/Fusion second, and the Sonata third. I dislike the new Accord and find it to be a negative departure from a lean and generally attractive last generation Accord. The last generation Accord and Fusion/Milan have some styling similarities, especially in the headlights and front fenders. The Fusion/Milan have a stronger more athletic C-pillar and rear fender area. Similarly, I liked the last Altima better than the new Altima. The new one took what was good about the last Altima and went too far (e.g., the tail lights). The Camry is a bit muddled with a few too many inconsistent surface details. I especially dislike the grill with the Toyota logo dripping down off the hood.
Generally, the Fusion/Milan sport cohesive or unified styling that is lean and strong. To this basic formula the Milan adds a touch of elegance and sophistication with the waterfall grill, unique alloy wheels and wider tail lights.
As some evidence that we're not alone, we've received multiple unsolicited positive comments in parking lots, including one from an Altima driver (the last version, which is itself attractive). The bad news for Mercury is that only one of those commenting recognized the Milan as a Mercury. (He credited the Jill commercials.) The Altima driver was a late 20s, early 30s woman who asked my wife what type of car it was, because, "it's really good looking. I love those wheels (14 spoke alloys) and that color (the vivid or claret red). It's sporty." Neither knew it was new. A couple of others asked what it was in the grocery store parking lot, but shorter conversations, "That's nice, what is is?" And one, what kind of gas mileage do you get? He liked the answer.