Ford Fusion

Ford Fusion: Which Version Should You Buy?

The Ford Fusion in this catalogue is a front-wheel-drive Mini 5-doors model offered from August 2002 to July 2012. The choice covers two phases of the same generation: the original version, produced from August 2002 to October 2005 with six modifications, and the restyled version, produced from September 2005 to July 2012 with eight modifications.

The Ford Fusion in this catalogue is a front-wheel-drive Mini 5-doors model offered from August 2002 to July 2012. The choice covers two phases of the same generation: the original version, produced from August 2002 to October 2005 with six modifications, and the restyled version, produced from September 2005 to July 2012 with eight modifications. The main buying decision is between economical turbo-diesel engines and quicker gasoline engines. The 1.6 MT gasoline is the performance choice, while the 1.4 MT diesel delivers the lowest measured combined consumption without the slower acceleration of the otherwise similar 1.4 Powershift diesel.

Ford Fusion generations: original or restyled?

The original Ford Fusion generation ran from August 2002 to October 2005 as a Mini 5-doors body with six versions. Its range comprised gasoline and diesel engines, five-speed Manual and five-speed Robotic gearboxes, plus a four-speed Automatic on the gasoline 1.6 AT. Every version used FWD. The original model’s listed engines span 1,388–1,596 cc and 68–101 hp.

The restyled first generation ran from September 2005 to July 2012, retaining the Mini 5-doors body and expanding the range to eight versions. It added a 1.2 MT gasoline entry point and a 1.6 MT diesel. The established 1.4 and 1.6 gasoline choices remained available, as did the 1.4 diesel with Manual or Robotic transmission. All versions continued with FWD.

The overlap from September to October 2005 means the production dates alone do not always identify the phase. Match the engine, power and gearbox as well as the date. This matters particularly for names such as 1.4 MT, 1.4 Powershift and 1.6 MT, which identify both gasoline and diesel versions in the supplied specifications.

Ford Fusion engine options and specs

The gasoline 1.6 MT and 1.6 AT have the highest output at 101 hp. Their specific output is about 63.3 hp per litre, compared with about 60.4 hp per litre for the restyled 1.2 MT, 57.6 hp per litre for the gasoline 1.4 versions, 57.0 hp per litre for the diesel 1.6 MT and 48.6 hp per litre for the diesel 1.4 versions.

Torque changes the comparison. The restyled diesel 1.6 MT produces 204 Nm at 1,750 rpm, which is 58 Nm more than the restyled gasoline 1.6 engines and 44 Nm more than the diesel 1.4 versions. The gasoline 1.6 produces its 146 Nm at 4,000 rpm, while the diesel 1.6 reaches maximum torque at 1,750 rpm.

Ford Fusion performance, mpg and fuel economy

The quickest specification is the original gasoline 1.6 MT at 10.9 seconds to 100 km/h. The restyled 1.6 MT takes 11.1 seconds, only 0.2 seconds longer, while both reach 178 km/h. Among the restyled cars, the diesel 1.6 MT is 1.8 seconds slower than the gasoline 1.6 MT but uses 2 L/100 km less on the combined cycle.

For minimum measured consumption, either phase of the diesel 1.4 MT records 4.4 L/100 km combined. The diesel 1.4 Powershift matches that economy but reaches 100 km/h in 16.6 seconds, 1.1 seconds behind the diesel 1.4 MT. The restyled gasoline 1.4 Powershift records 6.3 L/100 km combined, 0.2 L/100 km less than the restyled gasoline 1.4 MT, with the same 14-second acceleration and 163 km/h top speed.

The restyled 1.6 AT is the least economical listed choice at 7.6 L/100 km combined. It consumes 1 L/100 km more than the restyled 1.6 MT and takes 2 seconds longer to reach 100 km/h. Its measured advantage is the four-speed Automatic gearbox rather than performance or economy.

CO₂ output is 154 g/km for the restyled gasoline 1.4 MT and 1.4 Powershift, 157 g/km for the restyled gasoline 1.6 MT, and 181 g/km for the restyled gasoline 1.6 AT. CO₂ output is not measured for every other version.

Ford Fusion dimensions, weight and capacity

Exterior dimensions are not measured in the supplied data. Every version has 160 mm of ground clearance and a 45-litre fuel tank. Wheel sizes are not measured for any version.

Kerb weight ranges from 1,075 kg to 1,115 kg. The original gasoline 1.6 MT offers the best weight-to-power figure at about 10.7 kg per hp, followed by the restyled gasoline 1.6 MT at about 10.8 kg per hp. The restyled 1.6 AT weighs 1,115 kg, giving about 11.0 kg per hp. The restyled diesel 1.6 MT weighs 1,105 kg and carries about 12.3 kg per hp.

The original gasoline 1.4 MT and 1.4 Powershift weigh 1,075 kg, while their restyled counterparts weigh 1,085 kg and 1,090 kg respectively. The restyled 1.2 MT is also 1,075 kg. All listed diesel 1.4 versions weigh 1,105 kg.

Gross weight is 1,605 kg for the gasoline 1.2 MT and most gasoline 1.4 and 1.6 versions. The restyled 1.6 AT rises to 1,630 kg, diesel 1.4 versions to 1,640 kg, and the restyled diesel 1.6 MT to 1,675 kg.

Ford Fusion problems and reliability: what the data can establish

Engine problems, reliability records, warning-light causes, coolant faults, maintenance history and repair costs are not measured in the supplied data. No version can therefore be recommended as more reliable from these specifications alone. When comparing cars for sale, the catalogue figures can identify the version, but they cannot substitute for an individual vehicle’s condition and service record.

Which Ford Fusion version should you buy?

Choose the gasoline 1.6 MT for maximum acceleration. The original version combines 101 hp, 143 Nm, 10.9-second acceleration and a 178 km/h top speed with 6.6 L/100 km combined consumption. The restyled version has the same 101 hp and 178 km/h top speed, 3 Nm more torque and the same combined consumption, but its 0–100 km/h time is 11.1 seconds.

Choose the diesel 1.4 MT for the lowest measured fuel consumption. Its 4.4 L/100 km combined figure is 2.1 L/100 km below the gasoline 1.4 MT. It also develops 160 Nm rather than 124 Nm in the restyled range, although it has 12 hp less and is 1.5 seconds slower to 100 km/h.

Choose the restyled diesel 1.6 MT for the strongest compromise between diesel economy and performance. It provides 90 hp and the range-leading 204 Nm, reaches 100 km/h in 12.9 seconds, and consumes 4.6 L/100 km combined. Compared with the diesel 1.4 MT, it adds 22 hp and 44 Nm, cuts the acceleration time by 2.6 seconds and raises top speed by 18 km/h, at a combined-consumption increase of 0.2 L/100 km.

Choose the restyled gasoline 1.4 Powershift if a Robotic gearbox is required without moving to the 1.6 AT. It matches the gasoline 1.4 MT’s 80 hp, 124 Nm, 14-second acceleration and 163 km/h top speed, while its combined consumption is 0.2 L/100 km lower. By contrast, the diesel 1.4 Powershift offers no measured consumption benefit over the diesel 1.4 MT and is 1.1 seconds slower to 100 km/h.

The 1.2 MT makes sense only when that exact gasoline Manual specification is the priority. Its 75 hp output sits 5 hp below the gasoline 1.4 MT, while both record 6.5 L/100 km combined; the 1.2 MT takes 15.5 seconds to reach 100 km/h versus 14 seconds for the restyled gasoline 1.4 MT. On the available figures, the gasoline 1.4 MT gives the stronger performance-to-consumption balance.