So I rented a car and got a Ford Fusion...

[LTC8K6]

My 2008 Jeep with the hemi was the first drive by wire vehicle I had ever driven. It took a long time to get used to the instant and very accurate throttle control. I was all herky jerky with it the first few weeks. After that, it was like butter, and I hate throttle cables now.

 

[TraumaRN]

I'll quip in and say although I have the Fusion Hybrid which isn't what the OP drove, I really really love this car. And I would buy another one in a moment. It handles like a normal car, and while the lack of any shifting took a couple months to get used to, I don't even notice it now.

I'm also a huge fan of the great gas mileage. And it never really feels down on power. Passing at freeway speeds is a breeze because of the surge of instant electric motor torque. Makes the car feel peppier. I've never had issues with glare that I can distinctly remember. After having been in the new Explorer and Focus I do wish for a better interior but it's very functional and the seats are extremely comfortable so I can't complain too much.

Looking forward to the all new Fusion Hybrid that comes out in about a year and a half. Supposed to get 47-48MPG in the city and 42 on the highway. Should be awesome.

As far as the whole V6 debate goes, I wouldn't expect the new Fusion to have a V6 option at all. Probably looking at the 2.5I4 as the base engine still with a small HP bump and the 2.0 Ecoboost I4 for the sportier models.

 

[Arkaign]

The 3.0 Duratec has been updated considerably since it's debut. It's a thoroughly modern V6. There's absolutely nothing obsolete about it. If it's obsolete, then so are the V6's in the Accord and Camry.

The 3.5L was introduced because a sportier Fusion had always been on the books since the Fusion was introduced, and dropping the 3.5 in was the cheapest way to make a sport version.

The 3.0 is obsolete due to competition at that price point and trim level. When one considers that it also delivers no better fuel economy than the larger 3.5L models in the competition (Honda/Toyota/Nissan), but is weaker and still pushing the same largish midsize weight around, the choice is clear.

I prefer the Fusion as a platform vs. the competition personally, but if I were buying a V6 midsize model, it'd be the 3.5L or a competitors vehicle, the 3.0L is pointless to offer. The 3.5L in the Altima for example is 270HP, 258TQ, at a curb weight of ~3300lbs. The 3.0L in the Fusion is 240HP, 223TQ, at a curb weight of 3600+lbs. The difference is stark when comparing these, and it's the same story if you're talking Accord V6 or Camry V6.

 

[Doppel]

To kill time we ran over to the Hyundai dealership, and now own a 2012 Sonata.

I was seriously considering one recently, it's a very nice car and the 4 cylinder (non-turbo) feels quite assertive. Still love the looks, too.

 

[SithSolo1]

My mother has one and I complete agree with you.

The 4cyl is utterly anemic with the CVT.

 

[LTC8K6]

The 3.0 is obsolete due to competition at that price point and trim level. When one considers that it also delivers no better fuel economy than the larger 3.5L models in the competition (Honda/Toyota/Nissan), but is weaker and still pushing the same largish midsize weight around, the choice is clear.

I prefer the Fusion as a platform vs. the competition personally, but if I were buying a V6 midsize model, it'd be the 3.5L or a competitors vehicle, the 3.0L is pointless to offer. The 3.5L in the Altima for example is 270HP, 258TQ, at a curb weight of ~3300lbs. The 3.0L in the Fusion is 240HP, 223TQ, at a curb weight of 3600+lbs. The difference is stark when comparing these, and it's the same story if you're talking Accord V6 or Camry V6.

The Duratec 3.0 is a Flex-fuel engine, the Honda and Toyota aren't, and it has the latest technology Cam Torque Actuated Variable Cam Timing, which I believe exists on no other V6.

 

[TraumaRN]

My mother has one and I complete agree with you.

The 4cyl is utterly anemic with the CVT.

You mean she has a hybrid? The regular Fusion does not have a CVT. Regular fusion get a 6 speed auto or some models get a manual trans.

And not to be the nerd in the room but the trans on the Hybrid Fusion is actually a 'CVT like' transmission. It's technically a power split transmission. But I'm just arguing semantics as it behaves like a CVT.

 

[SithSolo1]

You mean she has a hybrid? The regular Fusion does not have a CVT. Regular fusion get a 6 speed auto or some models get a manual trans.

And not to be the nerd in the room but the trans on the Hybrid Fusion is actually a 'CVT like' transmission. It's technically a power split transmission. But I'm just arguing semantics as it behaves like a CVT.

I stand corrected. Its the 2.3L w/ the 5-speed auto. I still think its anemic.

 

[LTC8K6]

I stand corrected. Its the 2.3L w/ the 5-speed auto. I still think its anemic.

2009 was the last year for that in the Fusion. Went to the 2.5 and 6 speeds for 2010.

 

[Arkaign]

I stand corrected. Its the 2.3L w/ the 5-speed auto. I still think its anemic.

Yeah I have to agree. My gf's mom bought one, we looked at the '10s that were out at the time, but she ended up going with a closeout '09 SE 2.3L w/5-Speed Auto. It's a perfectly competent car, but it's just .. slow. It's very smooth and comfortable, but the motor noise when pushed hard isn't very nice, and I would have a hard time recommending it to most folks. She loves it though, and it's more than fast enough for her style of driving.

I think the '10+ is massively improved.