Reports of the midsize car's death have been greatly exaggerated. The Ford Fusion is alive and well. How else can you explain its hundreds of thousands of annual sales? And the Fusion gets better every year. In this preview guide, we'll take a look at the 2019 Ford Fusion, about to hit Ford dealerships at the end of this year.
What's New for 2019?
You might miss the differences between a 2018 and a 2019 Ford Fusion parked side by side. But there's a lot of subtle changes, which makes the 2019 the superior vehicle. For starters, the 2019 Fusion is a little more expensive than last year's model, but is actually a greater value. That's because Ford has added lots of new standard equipment. On any Fusion trim level, you now get push-button start, Ford MyKey, four-speaker stereo system, voice-activated SYNC interface, rearview camera, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking.
You can also get one of the superior turbocharged engine for less. Step up just one trim level, from the S to the SE, and you can get all-wheel drive and turbocharged 1.5-liter engine, producing 181 horsepower and 185 lb-ft of torque, compared to the base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 173 horsepower and 174 lb-ft of torque. That might not sound like a lot, but test drive the difference and you'll see what turbocharged can do.
The top-tier platinum trim level, which was just introduced last year, has been discontinued. That leaves the Titanium ($30,500) and V6 Sport ($33,900) trim levels on top. The former is for ultimate luxury while the latter is the sportiest, offering the best engine: a 2.7-liter turbocharged V6 engine, producing a superb 325 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque.
Finally, the 2019 Ford Fusion received subtle styling improvements. Say hello to 17-inch wheels on some trim levels, subtle front and rear fascia makeovers, and a new grille with a five-bar design on all trims but the Titanium. There's also new fog lights, LED tail lights, trunk lid panel, and new exterior and interior colors.
Storage Capacity in Spades
One of the things that the Fusion does exceptionally well is storage space. There's 16 cubic feet in the trunk, which is excellent in this class. And thanks to a wide trunk mouth, you can use all the space inside. Few things are more frustrating as having room there but not being able to use the space. You'll also find the cabin to be really storage friendly. There's a big bin under the front armrest, a large tray for cell phones or wallets in the center console, and plenty of cupholders in intuitive places throughout the cabin.
With four engine options, stellar storage, an updated exterior, and plenty of standard safety features, it's no wonder the four-door sedan stays more than relevant. With cars like this one, we wouldn't be surprised if sedans experienced a comeback.