The 2019 Ford Fusion enters the new year still riding on the exhaust fumes of its 2013 second generation design after already receiving a significant update in 2017. A tough year for Ford not to bring a new flashy generation of a pre-existing brand; the Honda Accord, Chevy Malibu, and Toyota Camry all unveiled new generations at this year’s major auto shows. The lack of a full redesign and subsequent third generation of one of Ford’s most popular brands is partly because of the 2017 update but primarily in line with Ford’s announcement to suspend all production of sedans in the United States. Because of brand recognition with the name Fusion stemming from high-reliability scores, there is still some uncertainty regarding its’ discontinuation and rumors reported by Bloomberg suggest only the name will live on possibly slapped on a Subaru in later years. The reasoning behind the suspension being low sales figures on sedans and the increasing popularity of SUVs and trucks.
Options, Options, Options….
So what do you bring to the table when you know it may very well be your last year for production. You uncharacteristically refine your current model to improve on an already working brand. One thing the 2019 Ford Fusion is known for is offering a variety of options; so many options that you almost could think your Ford Fusion had been customized with you in mind from its inception. The 2019 models do not disappoint continuing the option aplenty legacy.
The Fusion is still available at seven different trim levels if you include the hybrid and hybrid plug-in option with a price tag ranging from $20,000 up to around $40,000 depending on your chosen model and upgrades. The base model SE comes equipped with a 2.5-liter engine that may leave the driver wanting for more power and acceleration. Not to worry, the Fusion offers not one but three possible upgraded turbocharged Ecoboost engines to select instead. There is even a turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 for the four-door for the suit and tie sedan crowd who needs to feel a serious kick when the pedal hits the floorboard.
Fusion Five Trim Levels, or Is it 7
The base Fusion S trim model comes equipped with the previously mentioned 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine providing a meager 173 hp, front-wheel drive, a six-speed automatic transmission, and 16-inch steel wheels. As far as technology on the interior, the S model also offers a generous amount of amenities like a rearview camera, cruise control, audio and phone voice commands (Sync), Bluetooth, a 4.2-inch center screen, and a USB port.
The Fusion SE comes equipped with all the standard of the S with a few necessary additions. First off, they drop a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine to provide 181 hp at 185 lb-ft torque with automatic engine stop-start to help save fuel. Sitting atop 17-inch wheels, the interior’s technological options really begin to show with the SE model: exterior keypad entry, power-adjustable front seats, an 8-inch touchscreen that’s compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as wells as two USB ports. One possible final upgrade for the SE model is the option for all-wheel-drive capability. Adding this feature automatically upgrades your powertrain system to a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine capable of 240 hp with 270 lb-ft of torque. Creature comforts like heated front seats and side mirrors also come automatically with this upgrade.
The Fusion SEL and Platinum build upon the SE standard model from here on mainly with the addition of more creature comforts while the Titanium and Sport receive major overhauls with their engines, a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine for the Titanium and a 2.7-liter turbocharged V6 engine with 325 hp for the Sport. Those SEL and Platinum mentioned creature comforts are generally offered on all top-tier trim levels and can include features such as keyless ignition and entry, remote start, heated front seats as well as heated mirrors, an 11 speaker premium sound system, and a driver seat equipped with memory settings so you will never have to readjust again no matter the driver.
Standard Safety
Although the majority of the significant overhauls and new additions such as the Sport and Platinum were already unveiled in 2017, Ford has spent those remaining two years adding and upgrading technology with a specific focus on safety. Once again, Ford throws you a curveball not investing in decadent creature comforts but by installing a basic version of Co-Pilot360 protect package as standard on all Fusion trim models. This package includes automated emergency braking combined with pedestrian detection sensors; in layman’s terms, any 2019 Ford Fusion will first alert the driver of potential accidents, and when not responsive, will then automatically pump the brakes before impact. It also has a blind spot warning system and lane-keeping assist both of which alert the driver either when vehicles move into your automobiles blindspot or when you accidentally cross lanes. This is common on many automobiles, but the new Ford Fusions but this version actually provides torque to the steering wheel, directing the car back to the center of the lane. The Titanium, Sport, and hybrid models all come standard with an upgraded version Ford is calling Co-Pilot360 Assist. The major addition to the Co-Pilot 360 with the Assist being adaptive cruise control with stop and go capabilities. About as close as the automotive industry has come to offering a self-driving car made available to the public. The upgraded Assist will also be made available at lower tier S, and SR trims for an as yet named price.
Ford’s primary focus is to “help customers drive more safely and confidently amid rising congestion and distractions,” the carmaker noted. Safety remains a major concern for many drivers and as distractions grow with technological advancements, so does the potential for accidents. “Though our vehicles today are safer than ever, drivers tell us they are still stressed about getting in a potential accident,” Jim Farley, Ford president, Global Markets, said in a statement. “That’s one reason why we’re making these must-have technologies accessible to millions of customers each year.”
The 2019 Ford Fusion
Ford is simply using technology to keep up with the constant driving distractions that technology has provided, It seems that Ford, although definitely still concerned with the bottom line as they start to focus on SUV/Truck, has shifted focus to ensure they have customers for many generations to come. And although the 2019 Ford Fusion may only continue in name alone, it is still a name that introduced safety as a standard option offered on every vehicle.
