2017 Ford Fusion Sport

[RampantAndroid]

Nice of Ford to offer a Halo edition in each of their cars.
Fiesta and Focus have the ST
Taurus has the SHO.
Fusion was the only one left.

While it's just another appliance, I'm sure the extra shove will make the people who lease this happy. Happy until the appliance in the next lane beats them to the next traffic light.

This is an Audi for folks with tighter budgets.

Yeah - I'm surprised they didn't just do a SHO version or something.

Who cross shops between a Fusion and a A4? They're just different. If you're buying an A4, one would expect that you'd cross shop between the 3 series, the C Class, Lexus IS, Infiniti G37/Q50, etc. If you're buying a Fusion, one would expect that you'd cross shop between the Camry, Accord, Altima, Optima, Sonata, etc.

Also, the only good thing about the A4 is the quattro system. Everything else is behind the curve or average at best compared to cars in its class. The Audi dealer in my area is unfortunately snobby. The dealers need to get over themselves, it's just a freaking Audi.

I looked at an IS2/350, 328i, skipped the Infiniti and Merc (Infiniti didn't look very interesting to me unless I was leasing, Merc is way more expensive for the same stuff), I skipped the Acura offerings and looked at a Fusion as the budget option. All were AWD versions since I go into the mountains for snowboarding and stargazing. I realized the Fusion wasn't in the same class, and the fact it was an option does speak to what Ford has been doing - creating good looking cars.

As for the A4...I don't think it's behind the curve, really. The infotainment system is in some ways great and in others....annoying as hell. It's the main thing I think is behind the times. The transmission was then (and is now a DSG) an 8 speed that shifts pretty well (Lexus was pushing a 8 speed at the time, iirc...except it stuck into the drivers side footwell pretty badly. A lof of other cars were then still pushing 5 speed autos. I'm looking at you, Toyota.) The BMW certainly handled better and had better performance, but it was more cramped and their infotainment system was even *worse*. Even the rear view mirror was bulky and blocking a bit of my view.

 

[tsupersonic]

I looked at an IS2/350, 328i, skipped the Infiniti and Merc (Infiniti didn't look very interesting to me unless I was leasing, Merc is way more expensive for the same stuff), I skipped the Acura offerings and looked at a Fusion as the budget option. All were AWD versions since I go into the mountains for snowboarding and stargazing. I realized the Fusion wasn't in the same class, and the fact it was an option does speak to what Ford has been doing - creating good looking cars.

As for the A4...I don't think it's behind the curve, really. The infotainment system is in some ways great and in others....annoying as hell. It's the main thing I think is behind the times. The transmission was then (and is now a DSG) an 8 speed that shifts pretty well (Lexus was pushing a 8 speed at the time, iirc...except it stuck into the drivers side footwell pretty badly. A lof of other cars were then still pushing 5 speed autos. I'm looking at you, Toyota.) The BMW certainly handled better and had better performance, but it was more cramped and their infotainment system was even *worse*. Even the rear view mirror was bulky and blocking a bit of my view.

Ah ok. Yeah, Ford does make great looking cars, and they have definitely stepped up their game in all aspects. I tend to go for the Japanese/German offerings, but last year I got my first American car - a Ford.

I think the A4 has been behind the curve for some time. The base model is FWD, interior looks extremely dated, MMI looks archaic compared to the iDrive (CIC/NBT)/Comand options. The new generation A4 looks interesting, but I'll have to test it out. Not sure what year 328i you looked at - was it an F30 or e9x? Anyways, the 3 series remains the pure drivers car, and the C class has the best interior. The A4 has some tough competition and don't think it stands well against its German competitors. But, it's nice to have choices, and a car that fits different needs.

 

[RampantAndroid]

Ah ok. Yeah, Ford does make great looking cars, and they have definitely stepped up their game in all aspects. I tend to go for the Japanese/German offerings, but last year I got my first American car - a Ford.

I think the A4 has been behind the curve for some time. The base model is FWD, interior looks extremely dated, MMI looks archaic compared to the iDrive (CIC/NBT)/Comand options. The new generation A4 looks interesting, but I'll have to test it out. Not sure what year 328i you looked at - was it an F30 or e9x? Anyways, the 3 series remains the pure drivers car, and the C class has the best interior. The A4 has some tough competition and don't think it stands well against its German competitors. But, it's nice to have choices, and a car that fits different needs.

See, I think virtually every infotainment system is *awful* - but I came from an Acura TSX. Good sound system, TERRIBLE infotainment system. The MMI system by comparison is the new age. That said, I did rip the sound system apart, ended up with a new amp, subwoofer stealthed into the trunk, integrated with the German MOST setup using a Mobridge and everything. And it STILL sounds awful because Audi's implementation of Bluetooth is awful...I'm curious to see the new A4's system - with any luck, Carplay brings it to the modern age. I think it's MM4G (the previous version being MMI 3G+.)

Not sure what the nomenclature is for BMW - it was a 2013 328i. It had the engine that stops when you're stopped and the driving mode selector. Truly great driving experience, but within the same pricing of the A4, I couldn't easily get a 13 or 14 (new) car with everything I wanted - good audio, reverse camera, AWD, HIDs and such (HIDs make a bit of difference on dark roads...and a huge difference when I'm on USFS roads that are in the middle of nowhere.) Now, I do get some pretty good pricing with a lot of dealerships through my work (my A4 cost me in the end a bit below what Truecar had said was reasonable. The dealership loses money on the car and then Audi turns around and gives the dealership money when they have proof of where I work) and the BMW only made sense to me if I was going to do a factory pick up and spend time in Germany. Next time, I guess.

 

[yh125d]

Can get heated seats or cooled seats, not both. Boo.

I'm guessing they gave this the 2.7T + AWD from the Edge Sport presumably because its well proven and they have them around, as opposed to the Focus RS system because while it's probably lighter and is more powerful, its brand new and probably more expensive (and a fusion with RS powertrain underneath could cut some RS sales). This would also leave the door open for them to have a Fusion ST or RS in the future with the 3.5 ecoboost or something, which would be really appealing as a poor man's M3/ATS-V starting at $40k.

After all, last year Ford recently said they plan to release 12 new performance models by 2020.

Focus RS
GT
GT-350
Raptor
Fusion Sport

That leaves 7 more. My guesses are...

GT-500
Fusion ST/RS/something
Fiesta RS
New Edge Sport
2nd gen Focus ST
Halo Taurus, mustang engine?
Next-gen Mustang

 

[Aharami]

Who cross shops between a Fusion and a A4? They're just different. If you're buying an A4, one would expect that you'd cross shop between the 3 series, the C Class, Lexus IS, Infiniti G37/Q50, etc. If you're buying a Fusion, one would expect that you'd cross shop between the Camry, Accord, Altima, Optima, Sonata, etc.

Also, the only good thing about the A4 is the quattro system. Everything else is behind the curve or average at best compared to cars in its class. The Audi dealer in my area is unfortunately snobby. The dealers need to get over themselves, it's just a freaking Audi.

exactly!

 

[CA19100]

Can get heated seats or cooled seats, not both. Boo.

That's weird... My 2016 has heated & cooled seats. I hope that's just an error on the web site!

 

[disappoint]

Can get heated seats or cooled seats, not both. Boo.

I'm guessing they gave this the 2.7T + AWD from the Edge Sport presumably because its well proven and they have them around, as opposed to the Focus RS system because while it's probably lighter and is more powerful, its brand new and probably more expensive (and a fusion with RS powertrain underneath could cut some RS sales). This would also leave the door open for them to have a Fusion ST or RS in the future with the 3.5 ecoboost or something, which would be really appealing as a poor man's M3/ATS-V starting at $40k.

After all, last year Ford recently said they plan to release 12 new performance models by 2020.

Focus RS
GT
GT-350
Raptor
Fusion Sport

That leaves 7 more. My guesses are...

GT-500
Fusion ST/RS/something
Fiesta RS
New Edge Sport
2nd gen Focus ST
Halo Taurus, mustang engine?
Next-gen Mustang

I hope the new Focus ST is automatic only otherwise Ford is being incredibly stupid.

 

[RampantAndroid]

exactly!

Am I the ONLY one who remembers the ads comparing Ford to BMW and saying that "they won!"?

 

[SSSnail]

Am I the only one that think the Ford Fusion can stand to be a bit wider and shorter? (height wise). If only they can bring that rear profile down a bit, I think it'll look perfect.

 

[foghorn67]

I hope the new Focus ST is automatic only otherwise Ford is being incredibly stupid.

???

 

[yh125d]

I hope the new Focus ST is automatic only otherwise Ford is being incredibly stupid.

Are you kidding me? Or are you just angsty about manuals because you can't drive one?

It would be a good idea to offer one (while a performance model it is still a cheap car and manual only certainly rules some people out), but to suggest a performance car being offered in anything but an automatic being incredibly stupid is, well, incredibly stupid

The following is a partial list of performance cars without an automatic option

GT350/R
Fiesta ST
Focus RS
STI
Viper, Viper ACR
Civic Si
Camaro Z/28
Cayman GT4
Boxster Spyder

The only performance cars that have any business not offering a traditional manual are those expensive enough to have a proper dual clutch box with F1 shift times and launch control (although forms of launch control are coming even to traditional manuals)