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Ford Fusion has presence, unusual among midsize sedans that tend to blend in to the scenery. Some people, including us, like the aggressive, angular look of the Fusion, some don't. One thing we can add to that is that polarizing designs are often more successful than bland designs that neither offend nor excite anyone. In short, we think this is a good-looking car.
The styling features large headlights and a bold grille. Three thick chrome bars across the grille also make the car look more upmarket than its pricing might suggest. The front bumper almost disappears as there are two chrome strips below it that match the ones on the grille.
When the Fusion was first introduced, Ford executives said its three-bar horizontal grille would become the signature styling cue for Ford cars. Since then it has been seen on concept vehicles, as well as the new Edge crossover vehicle and will show up on the new Focus. This distinctive grille catches your eye on the road, distinguishing the Fusion from other mid-size sedans.
The sides of the car are crisply separated from the hood, roof and rear deck. A crisp fold along the top edges of the front fenders runs all the way back along the edge of the roof to the rear deck.
The design of the Fusion features a wide track, which makes it stand out on the freeway when viewed from behind. A high trunk line and large triangular taillight clusters with chrome trim give the rear end a classy look.
The overall effect is pleasing. The chrome on the car contrasts nicely with the body work, especially on dark-colored models or red. Gaps between body panels seem a bit larger than those on some of the other cars in the class.
Changes for 2007 are subtle. The SE model now has fog lights and comes standard with 16-inch wheels.
All-wheel-drive models have AWD badging on the rear deck. While the 17-inch wheels that drive the AWD SEL models are the same design, they have a tell-tale hash mark to identify all-wheel-drive models.
The Fusion fits into the Ford car lineup between the compact Focus and big Five Hundred sedan. It's slightly smaller than the outgoing Taurus, but it has much the same dimensions as its competitors. Although the Fusion shares its basic floorpan with the Mazda 6, its wheelbase is two inches longer and it is an inch or so wider. Ford also says it is a stiffer bodyshell than the Mazda6, which is good because a rigid structure is the key to a smooth ride and responsive handling. next page