Best Year Ford Fusion

‍2012 Ford Fusion

Before buying any vehicle, it is critical to assess whether it is safe or not for you and your family. Fortunately, Ford Fusion 2012 never fails in this regard. The Ford Fusion is a dependable vehicle; with a 4 out of 5 reliability rating, which means that you can trust this particular model in any situation. The 2012 Ford Fusion is, without a doubt, one of the most dependable sedans on the market.

The price of a Ford Fusion will decline by 61 percent in the first five years, which is more than typical. As a result, we wouldn't say Fusion is particularly adept at maintaining its value. On the other hand, if you maintain your car, you may be able to retain more of its worth in the future.

With its appealing appearance and handling, the 2012 Ford Fusion remains on the top, especially as a Hybrid model. It's clear why the 2012 Fusion is so popular. It all starts with the sophisticated style, including a thick-barred grille and squat tail lamps.

It owes a nod to the Ford 427 concept vehicle from the auto show circuit that influenced designs like the 2010 Ford Taurus, a full-size sedan above the Fusion in the lineup.

The Fusion seems classic from the side, almost basic, yet it's held up nicely over time. With a straightforward design and some rich-feeling components weaved within a simply laid-out set of controls, the cabin walks the same balance.

Almost everything is pleasing to the eye in a classical sense, and the textures are pleasing to the touch. The Fusion may not be as outgoing as the Kia Optima or Hyundai Sonata, but it still has a spring in its step six years later.

With front- or all-wheel drive, gas or hybrid technology, manual or automatic gearboxes, and four engine options, there's much to choose from in the Fusion portfolio. A 175-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and a six-speed manual transmission are standard, with an automatic transmission available as an option.

It's quick to respond, and the six-speed automatic really helps fuel economy. It accelerates faster with 240 horsepower but produces slight noise while doing so, and fuel economy is only mediocre.

The 3.5-liter, 263-hp V-6 in the Fusion Sport is a much better bet: it's more fun to rev, accelerates considerably faster than the horsepower disparity suggests, and responds quickly through its paddle-shifted automatic transmission. Gas mileage levels out at 25 miles per gallon on the highway; all-wheel-drive reduces mileage by a mile per gallon in most circumstances.

The Fusion Hybrid combines a 156-horsepower four-cylinder engine with a 40-horsepower electric motor for a total of 196 horsepower. Fusion's calling card is the hybrid, but so is nimble handling. One of its better features is its electric power steering, but another is its well-tuned ride, which has very little body roll for a family car.

With larger wheels and tires and stiffer suspension on Sport variants, the Fusion seems more agile than most four-doors in the market, even with all-wheel drive.

The Fusion's cabin isn't the largest in its class by any means, but it's well-designed to make the most of the available space. Although the driving position is lower than that of a Hyundai Sonata, the Fusion still boasts enough leg and headroom, as well as telescoping steering and well-contoured seats.

The center console extends a little into the knee room. The Fusion's rear doors open wide for simple access; there's less knee and head room than in larger sedans like the Accord, but it's still not claustrophobic until you try to push a third adult across the back row.

The 16-cubic-foot trunk is spacious, with a wide opening; hybrids store their batteries in the trunk, so space is limited, and the rear seats do not fold flat like other models.

The 2012 Fusion isn't the safest vehicle in this class, but it performs admirably. It receives a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS since it performs well in all tests, but its federal NCAP ratings include a three-star rating for frontal impact. The Fusion comes standard with curtain airbags and stability control, as well as a rearview camera, Bluetooth, and a blind-spot monitor system as options.

Mirrors, locks, power windows, and climate control are standard on all versions, as are split-folding rear seats, an AM/FM/CD player with auxiliary audio, and a telescoping steering wheel. Leather upholstery, Bluetooth, SYNC, and 17-inch wheels are standard on SEL and Hybrid models. A navigation system, real-time traffic information, a sunroof, Sony audio, and HD Radio are also available.

Styling

The outside of the 2012 Ford Fusion is outmoded, but it still looks good, and the interior design still appeals in a field of more cluttered designs in competing vehicles. Despite the fact that the Ford Fusion has one of the more mature designs among midsize sedans, it's clear that styling is one of the reasons the 2012 Fusion is still so popular.

The Fusion maintains a clean, sharp appearance, constructed by its thick-barred squat and grille tail lamps. The Fusion isn't proportioned like every other front-drive mid-size sedan, and it owes some of its style to the Ford 427 concept that was out on the auto show circuit years ago (and went on to influence styling in the larger Taurus).

There's more than a hint of a sport sedan with its cabin hunkered back and front fenders bending out from some front angles. The Fusion, on the other hand, seems quite classic, almost plain from the side.

Inside, the Fusion strikes a balance of utility, austerity, and a dash of lavishness. It's far less extroverted than the new Hyundai Sonata's wild collection of curves—or even the new 2012 Ford Focus's interior—though we suspect the Fusion's interior will hold up better over time.

If you choose the optional navigation system (which comes standard on all Fusion Hybrid versions), you'll get a huge LCD display that's still among the best in class.

Performance

The 2012 Ford Fusion is more fun to drive than the average mid-size sedan, thanks to its crisp handling and quick power trains. The 2012 Ford Fusion comes in a variety of forms, ranging from adequate and thrifty to responsive and punchy. It even includes a Hybrid model, depending on how much performance you want (and your budget as well as gas-mileage needs).

The Fusion's standard combination of a 175-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and a six-speed manual transmission works well together, and it now has a manual-mode button on the gear lever. Even with a full load, these machines are quite responsive, even though they have a rougher edge when pushed hard.

The 3.0-liter V-6 has 240 horsepower and flex-fuel capability but less refined noises and reactions than the 263-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 found in the Fusion Sport.

The V-6 boosts acceleration significantly, and the six-speed automatic transmission keeps up with your driving needs well. For V-6 cars, an optional all-wheel-drive system is available, although gas consumption decreases.

The 2012 Fusion Hybrid offers the finest fuel economy — as well as decent performance. The hybrid combines a 156-horsepower four-cylinder engine with a 40-horsepower electric motor for a total of 196 horsepower.

It gets a fantastic 41 mpg in city driving and comes with an EV-only option that can go up to 47 mph on battery power alone. Overall, it's one of the most well-integrated hybrid systems we've encountered, with seamless transitions.

Whether you choose the standard four-cylinder, the V-6, or the hybrid, handling remains Fusion strength. The steering is well-weighted, and the suspension has been fine-tuned for handling while remaining comfortable.

The Fusion rides smoothly and seems more agile than most four-doors in the market, even with larger wheels and tires and stiffer suspension on Sport variants, and even with all-wheel drive.

Quality & Comfort

The 2012 Fusion cabin has a spacious interior and simple but high-quality cabin decor, yet Fusion Hybrid buyers should be conscious of the restricted adaptability and trunk space.

If you shop solely on the basis of numbers, you could overlook how roomy the 2012 Fusion's cabin is; it's now near to the largest among midsize sedans, but it's laid out to make the most of what's available. It's also quite desirable because of the fit and finish, which standard panels won't display.

The 2012 Ford Fusion has a somewhat lower driving position than several other mid-size vehicles, such as the Toyota Camry and Hyundai Sonata. However, there is a superb outward view, as well as enough headroom and legroom—though the center console does sprawl out a little too far across inboard knees. The telescoping steering wheel and the bolstered front seats make it ideal for long-distance travel.

Most people will have plenty of legroom in the rear, and the back doors open wide for easy entry and way out. The Fusion's slightly shorter wheelbase and total length are only revealed here; there's a bit less room to stretch out than in the larger entries in this class, such as the Accord and Sonata—and fitting three across can be a squeeze—but they're perfectly shaped for adults.

One disadvantage is the lack of trunk space. The regular four-cylinder and V-6 vehicles feature a spacious 16-cubic-foot trunk, whereas hybrid models have a smaller 12 cubic-foot trunk (the price of fitting in an additional battery pack).

Another disadvantage of the Fusion Hybrid is that, unlike other variants, the rear seatbacks cannot be folded down. However, the regular shape and low loading floor help make the most of it in any case.

The Fusion also has plenty of storage compartments in the center console, a spacious glove box, and door pockets for smaller items.

On a straightforward, honest approach, the interior amenities in the 2012 Ford Fusion remain quite good. The Fusion boasts reasonably excellent-quality plastics, plenty of sound deadening, and a good fit and finish, with base four-cylinder variants delivering a notably refined place for the money, despite the design's lack of lavishness and the feel of the trim.

Safety

The 2012 Ford Fusion has a solid set of crash-test scores but is not the best in its class. The 2012 Fusion isn't the safest car out there, but it's well-rated for occupant protection and comes with a long list of amenities.

It received a Top Safety Pick award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), with top scores in all tests, but its federal NCAP ratings include a three-star rating for a frontal crash; it receives a more respectable four stars in side-impact and overall.

The 2012 Fusion comes with a rearview camera and an active blind-spot monitor system. Dual front, side, and curtain airbags are also standard with active headrests, stability and traction control, and anti-lock brakes.

Features

In most grades, the 2012 Ford Fusion comes fully equipped, but it lacks the convenience (and controversy) of MyFord Touch. The 2012 Ford Fusion spans a broad swath of the family-car category, with four-cylinder, hybrid, and V-6 variants, as well as base, S, SE, SEL, and Sport trims.

Leather upholstery, Bluetooth, SYNC, and 17-inch wheels are standard on SEL and Hybrid models. HD Radio, Sony audio, a sunroof, a navigation system with real-time traffic information, a Security Code keyless entry pad, and 17-inch wheels are among the available options.

A rearview camera with the output shown in the rearview mirror or the optional navigation system; Sirius Travel Link real-time information, including traffic, weather, and sports scores; HD Radio; a sunroof; and a high-wattage Sony audio system are among the Fusion's options.

The 2012 Fusion Hybrid also comes with improved graphics and displays for fuel efficiency, battery consumption, and the Smart Gauge system, which teaches drivers how to cruise more efficiently.

The My Ford Touch system, which is currently available on various Ford models (including the smaller Focus), replaces the buttons and switches for climate and music controls with an LCD touch screen and voice-activated controls, resulting in results that you may or may not like.

Fuel Economy

Green shoppers can choose between the 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid and the fuel-efficient four-cylinder variants, which gets 41 mpg.

The 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid is one of the greenest sedans on the market, with an EPA city rating of 41 mpg (although other hybrid systems, such as the one in the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, do better on the highway) and is simply one of the greenest car selections on the market.