Nobody can accuse Ford of not listening to its customers. The 2010 Ford Fusion corrects a number of issues owners of the ’09 Fusion pointed out, including increasing the size and therefore the horsepower of its standard inline four-cylinder (I4) engine. The standard I4 is now a 2.5-liter powerplant Ford claims gets better gas mileage than the 2.3-liter engine it replaced.

A new, 3.5-liter V6-powered Sport trim is also available for 2010, and a few tweaks were given to the Fusion’s optional 3.0-liter V6. The 2010 Fusion also boasts additional standard cabin features, standard stability control, a six-speed automatic transmission, redesigned interior and exterior styling, and a new Hybrid trim.

The 2010 Ford Fusion is a five-passenger sedan that’s offered in five trim levels, the S, SE, SEL, Sport, and the new Fusion Hybrid. For the regularly powered Fusion trims, all except the Sport are equipped with the standard I4 engine and six-speed manual transmission. The Fusion Sport comes with the 3.5-liter engine and a new six-speed automatic transmission as standard equipment. The Fusion SEL and Sport are each offered in an all-wheel-drive version, and both FWD and AWD versions of each trim are equipped with the automatic transmission. The 3.0-liter V6 powerplant is optional in all trims except the base S, and, of course, the Sport, though the six-speed automatic is an option for the Fusion S trim.

Providing a quiet, comfortable, and stable ride while it cruises the highways, the 2010 Ford Fusion also proves reasonably agile through the twists and turns on the back roads. The Fusion’s new electric power-steering system, however, doesn’t quite measure up to the old hydraulic system as far as steering feel is concerned, but the newer electric power steering system seems to be creeping into the entire sedan segment.

Standard features for the base Fusion S include 16-inch painted alloy wheels, power doors, windows and mirrors, cruise control, a tilt-telescoping steering wheel, air-conditioning, and a single-CD/MP3 player with four speakers. The SE adds 17-inch wheels, a six-way power driver’s seat, a fold-flat front passenger seat, steering-wheel-mounted cruise and audio controls, six speakers, and Sirius/XM satellite radio.

For the Fusion SEL in 2010, standard features include leather, an eight-way power driver’s seat and six-way power passenger seat, multilevel front seat heating, a USB connection, and Bluetooth hands-free communication technology. The Fusion Sport adds 18-inch wheels, a sport-tuned suspension, and a rear spoiler.

Options for at least the higher-end Fusion trims include a power moonroof, voice-activated DVD navigation, Ford’s BLIS (blind spot information system), a back-up camera system, and the 390-watt Sony premium audio system with 12 speakers.

In addition to the new-for-2010 standard stability control, the 2010 Fusion also offers such standard safety features as four-wheel disc ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution, traction control, dual front side-mounted airbags, front and rear head airbags, dusk-sensing headlights, and a remote anti-theft alarm.

Owners of the 2009 Fusion have complained about a lack of horsepower in the 2.3-liter I4, as well as the need to put the 3.5-liter V6 into the Fusion. Ford listened well on both counts, as well as addressing a few ergonomic issues in the Fusion’s cabin. The result is a better-looking, more powerful, more economical sedan that should bring more smiles from owners of the 2010 Ford Fusion.