A COLDER FUSION

By Roy Nakano The new Fusion Hybrid has been getting a lot of hot press coverage. And no wonder: the car is rated at 41 miles per gallon in the city—the highest of any midsize sedan. Moreover, it’s capable of cruising up to 47 miles per hour—in full electric mode. These are some impressive feats.

But the hot new Fusion Hybrid goes for a premium, and Ford sells every single one they make. If you’re looking for the most Fusion bang for the buck, look toward the cooler end of the spectrum, the more basic Fusion SE with the 2.5-liter four-in-line engine. Not only does it cost some $8-10,000 less than the Fusion Hybrid in actual transaction price, it still gets good gas mileage for a mid-size sedan and is among the sportiest Fusions you can buy. No, you won’t mistaken its handling for a BMW, and the engine lacks the grunt of a good V6 or turbo-four. But the engine’s light weight makes for better front-to-rear balance than its V6 counterpart. And with the 6-speed manual transmission, it’s a more fun car to drive than your average mid-size sedan.

Ford has done a good job of freshening the second-generation Fusion, but the SE with the monochrome appearance package is arguably the best-looking Fusion of them all. The good looks carry into the interior as well, with a smart-looking dash and great compliment of textures and colors. With the Fusion SE, you’ll get an attractive, well-balanced family sedan with better-than-average fuel economy. At just over $20,000, the cold fusion formula may make more economic sense than its hotter brethren. For more information about Ford products, go to www.ford.com

SPECIFICATIONS Name of vehicle: 2010 Ford Fusion SE 2.5L Price: $20,900 (base) $22,340 (as tested), with SYNC voice-activated system, monochrome appearance package EPA rated fuel economy (city/highway miles per gallon): 22/29 Engine: 2.5-liter OHC in-line four Horsepower: 175 at 6000 rpm Torque: 172 pound-feet at 4500 rpm Transmission: 6-speed manual transmission Drive configuration: Front-wheel drive Steering: Power-assisted rack-and-pinion Suspension: Four-wheel fully independent with stabilizer bars Brakes: Four-wheel power-assisted disc brakes with ABS (anti-lock brake system) Wheels and tires: 10-spoke, 18-inch aluminum sport wheels P25/45R18 V-rated tires Dimensions Length: 190.6 inches Width: 72.2 inches Height: 56.9 inches Curb weight: 3285 pounds Source: Manufacturer loan