FEAST ON THE FUSION

In keeping with the trend, the diesel Ford Fusion makes for a hot buy. The spacious, good-looking brute is value for money—even if the price is a bother

When the Ford Fusion was launched in 2004, on paper it looked as if the Blue Oval had hit the jackpot by introducing the most versatile car in its segment. But the 1.6 Duratec petrol vehicle failed to scorch the sale charts. Being an unconventional mix of hatchback and an SUV, the Fusion confused the buyers. All that has changed now. Fusion, or as the company likes to call it, an Urban Activity Vehicle (UAV), has got a diesel heart—the 1.4 Duratorq engine, which also powers the Ford Fiesta. The Fusion TDCi is all set to not only give cousin Fiesta a run for its money but also make the Hyundai Verna CRDi wary.

EXTERIOR
Fusion’s chunky styling has never gone down well with the buyers, but we’d like to think of it as a mini SUV. The high bonnet line, prominent grill, beefy bumpers and large block-like headlamps give it the look of an off-roader. The brute-looking crossover also has pronounced wheel arches and a thick rubber strip across the lower body. The rear of the car is shaped like a D-pillar, housing vertically stacked tail lights, and is upright to provide great headroom for backseat passengers. It also has 15-inch wheel rims that make it taller than most cars. The mini SUV has an imposing road presence—perfect perhaps for our ‘might-is-right’ ethos in the chaotic city traffic. Thanks to the big wheels, the car has a generous ground clearance, making off-road driving hassle-free and speedbreakers just minor irritants.

INTERIORS
Here’s where the innovations lie. The dashboard is clear and logically laid out. The two-tone finish in the top-end variant is executed masterfully and the black plastics perfectly complement the beige finish of the glove-box lid, door panels and seat fabric. The circular air-vents are very effective and the central console gets a storage box on top. The dashboard plastic feels cheap due to its shiny and hard texture, but all the switches are high end. The Fusion has plenty of legroom; six-footers need not fret. The driver’s seat has generous space and a good upright position for long trips. The steering wheel is height adjustable. Even the rear passengers can sit without the discomfort of bent knees, so common in sedans. The car also has rear roof lights. The speedometer and tachometer look clear and there is also a thoughtful digital read-out that tells the driver how many kilometres more the car can run on the fuel left in the tank. Unfortunately, the car does not have a music system, not even the-top-of-the-line model.

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ENGINE/POWERTRAIN
The 1.4-litre diesel engine makes the Fusion a perfect urban vehicle. The 67 bhp crossover cruises within the city, but on the highway it runs out of power after 90 kph with the AC on. The car did cross 140 kph but after a lot of huffing and puffing. Let’s also not forget the diesel variant weighs 1,180 kg, 70 kg more than its petrol sibling and 30 kg more than the Fiesta TCDi. However, even at high speeds it was steady without any disturbing vibrations. The handling is very good, a typical Ford feature, which makes it practical for urban traffic. The gear shift is smooth, but when you fire up the engine, the diesel innards make their presence felt with the growling. Sadly, the noise isn’t muffled by the AC hum either.

FUEL ECONOMY
In the city, the Fusion sips the diesel slowly and returns 13-14 kpl with the AC on, which is quite good for a mini SUV. On the highway, it logs 17 kpl with the comforts of the AC.

LAST WORD
Fusion sets itself apart from the monotony of everyday hatchbacks and sedans, and the diesel engine makes it a practical buy. It’s a spacious family car, but the price is a tad high at Rs 6.59 lakh (Delhi, ex-showroom). The diesel variant doesn’t have the anti-lock braking system and airbags even as optionals. However, the Fusion is still cheaper compared to the Fiesta (Rs 6.94 lakh) and Verna (Rs 7.31 lakh).

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