2007 Ford Fusion Reviews, Pricing & Specs
Expert review
Following the nameplate’s stunning 2006 debut, the 2007 Ford Fusion returns to the midsize car market with more standard and optional equipment as well as a longer warranty.
Given up for dead after the horrible third-generation Taurus tanked, Ford staged a remarkable return to relevance with the introduction of the Fusion. Now entering its second year of production, the handsome sedan improves in several ways. But in other ways, it's still playing catch-up to the class leaders.
out of 10 expert review
Look & feel
Crisply tailored and boldly detailed, the 2007 Ford Fusion’s styling reflects architectural influences and a hint of mid-century modern design. This is an appealing car, from its tri-bar chrome grille and squared-off headlights to its triangular clear-lens taillights. If there is a questionable element here, it’s the tacky chrome trim across the SEL trim level’s trunk lid.
Similar themes replay inside the Fusion, which refreshingly departs from Ford’s recent fascination with ovals, circles, and acute angles in favor of simple, conservative rectangular forms and surfaces. Aside from the oversized steering wheel, inexpensive looking plastic trim pieces, and Ford’s confusing trend of making buttons and rocker switches look like knobs, the Fusion’s interior is nicely executed.
Performance
If the Fusion looks great, the driving experience is merely good. Mainly, this is due to the lackluster engine choices, which include a rather buzzy 160-horsepower, 2.3-liter 4-cylinder and a somewhat unrefined 221-hp, 3.0-liter V6. The 4-cylinder offers a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed automatic transmission, while the V6 is exclusively paired to a 6-speed automatic. Both have expanded warranty coverage for 2007, now measuring five years or 60,000 miles.
One genuine benefit of choosing a Fusion over most competitors is the optional all-wheel-drive system, which is new for 2007. It’s offered only with the V6 engine, making this midsize car suddenly more appealing to people who live in the Snowbelt states. Since Honda, Nissan, and Toyota can’t match the Fusion in this respect, AWD is a clear selling point.
Through its partial ownership of Mazda, Ford bases the Fusion on the same platform as the impressive Mazda6. That makes the car a little smaller than many rivals, but also gives it natural ride and handling traits that reward a driver. Nimble and athletic, the Fusion wants only for better powertrains to be truly satisfying to drive.
Form & function
Because the Fusion is smaller than many rivals, it doesn’t offer as much interior space. Nevertheless, Ford makes the best of it, supplying comfortable front and rear seats with good leg support as well as a roomy 15.8 cubic-foot. trunk. Interior storage is mainly limited to the large bin under the center armrest and the covered cubby at the top of the dashboard.
Available in S, SE, and SEL trim levels, the 2007 Fusion gains standard equipment for each version of the car. In addition to an auxiliary audio input jack, the Fusion S now includes side-impact airbags for the front seats and side-curtain airbags for the front and rear seats.
Upgrade to the SE, and the 2007 Fusion adds a CD changer, aluminum wheels, and fog lights. The Fusion SEL now includes heated side mirrors, automatic headlights, and more. In addition to AWD, satellite radio and a navigation system are new options for the 2007 Fusion.
Technology
Aside from a CD player, an MP3 player, and remote keyless entry, the Fusion S is fairly devoid of anything qualifying as technological advancement. Instead, check out the Fusion SE for its 6-disc CD changer and trip computer, or the SEL which adds automatic climate control and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror.
New for 2007, satellite radio and a navigation system are available for the Fusion. Bluetooth, a cell phone pairing technology that supports hands-free calling, is not available even though it’s starting to show up in the Fusion’s rivals.
Safety
This year, Ford makes standard a set of side-impact airbags for the front seat occupants and side-curtain airbags for the front and rear seats. However, antilock brakes are optional and stability control isn’t available no matter how much money you have to spend.
Ford also made some unannounced minor structural enhancements to the 2007 Fusion after the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the 2006 model less than the best rating for moderate offset frontal-impact protection. Last year, the Fusion earned an Acceptable rating in this regard. For 2007, that rating improves to Good.
Similarly, the 2007 Fusion’s side-impact performance is better, and dramatically so. Last year, the car got a Poor rating for side-impact protection. This year, with the standard side airbags, it gets a Good rating. Do note, however, that roof crush strength remains Acceptable and the seats still do a Marginal job of protecting against injury.
In tests performed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the 2007 Fusion improves from a 4-star to a 5-star rating for side-impact protection for the driver. Otherwise, the ratings remain the same as the 2006 model, all 4-star results. Note that with AWD, the rollover resistance rating improves from 4 stars to 5 stars.
Cost-effectiveness
Given the number of changes Ford makes to the 2007 Fusion, the car is clearly a work in progress.
At the same time, the company doesn’t have a choice but to improve the Fusion in the areas that matter the most. Hugely important to Ford’s bottom line, the Fusion needs to be on a program of continuous improvement if the automaker expects to make up lost market share following the Taurus debacle.
For now, style, safety, and driving dynamics make the case for Ford’s sharply tailored midsize car. Value is a part of that equation, too. With a newly extended powertrain warranty, a base price of less than $18,000, and a loaded SEL with a V6 engine and AWD stickering for less than $25,000, the good-looking Fusion is a financially appealing alternative to Honda, Nissan, and Toyota.
What owners say
"Overall, owners of the 2007 Ford Fusion appreciate its reliability, handling, and comfort. Many drivers enjoy the smooth ride and the powerful V6 engine, which enhances the car's performance. However, some drivers found the 4-cylinder engine to be underwhelming in power and acceleration. There's also mention of the bland interior colors and a few concerns about the turning radius. Generally, it’s viewed as a fun, dependable, and economical choice for daily driving."
I have owned this car for 2-years and used as a secondary vehicle for commute to work (30 mi). I have no issues/concerns and have been completely satisfied. I would recommend the Fusion to anyone and plan to buy another in the future.
October 31, 2013Power, Style, Handling... The Ford Fusion has it all. I love driving this car. This car is incredibly comfortable on long road trips, and has an amazing factory stereo to help. Reliabilty is great - It always starts, and has never had a repair or warranty claim. The only reason it ever goes to the shop is for it's regular maintenance
January 25, 2008I love my Fusion. It gets about 20 mpg but it would get a lot more if I drove more freeway miles. It hadles well and the interior is really nice. I love the bodystyle and the blue color that they use is great. It is very fun to drive, very peppy and smooth.
October 18, 2008What owners say
I have owned this car for 2-years and used as a secondary vehicle for commute to work (30 mi). I have no issues/concerns and have been completely satisfied. I would recommend the Fusion to anyone and plan to buy another in the future.
October 31, 2013Power, Style, Handling... The Ford Fusion has it all. I love driving this car. This car is incredibly comfortable on long road trips, and has an amazing factory stereo to help. Reliabilty is great - It always starts, and has never had a repair or warranty claim. The only reason it ever goes to the shop is for it's regular maintenance
January 25, 2008I love my Fusion. It gets about 20 mpg but it would get a lot more if I drove more freeway miles. It hadles well and the interior is really nice. I love the bodystyle and the blue color that they use is great. It is very fun to drive, very peppy and smooth.
October 18, 2008When I had the chance to drive this car, I thought it was a pretty decent car. It handled well, the gas mileage is awesome, and we have had no problems with it except random accidents like stones cracking the windshield. The only thing I didn't like was the pedals felt weird when you went to accelerate and brake, but that could be because I'm used to my car.
May 17, 2008Best affordable mid-size sedan on the market
February 29, 2008excellent family car,lots of room,comfortable,good gas millage and very reliable.handles very well.good traction in winter time and the traction control works great in slick winter conditions. I have nothing negative to say about this car.would recommend to any family and it has good safety ratings
December 12, 2014Pretty color and a quiet engine. The car has the interior space of a standard mid-sized sedan, but sits a little lower and has adjustable pedals that makes it easier for those of us with diminutive stature (lol). The gas mileage and reliability for the year model is unmatched. The all wheel drive capability allows this to be an everyday vehicle anywhere in the US.
November 10, 2013I love this car. I have only had one issue to date, the day i picked the car up from the dealer, I had some problems accelerating up a hill. the next day i took it to the dealer, and they had to replace my whole ECU. However, according to a very good friend of mine, who worked at the dealership at the time, this was almost certainly a defect that came from the factory. I really love the handling of this car. It seriously handles like its on rails. I have noticed some under steer but only when im going around sharp corners a little faster than i should have been. Considering this is a V6 and has AWD, the mileage isnt terrible. Im sitting with an average of 21 MPG half city half highway. I have also been putting full synthetic oil in for the last 6,000 miles. My favorite part about this car though, is just how damn fun it is to drive. It gets up and goes. the V6 has way more than enough power to get you out of any situation that you may get in to. Also the automatic transmission seems very intelligent and, having six gears, i find that im nearly always able to get right into the best part of the powerband. I would definitely recommend this car to a friend. If youre skeptical, just go test drive one. But do yourself a favor and drive the V6, its very much worth the extra $.
September 7, 2008I would buy the car over again. Maintenance is cheap, and it is very reliable. Good car for the money. It has enough room to travel with four people comfortably. The only negative is the lack of a turning radius. The design is sporty for a family sedan.
December 28, 2013performance wise is not really good but then again is a heavy car with a small engine, braking is good and handling is decent, I plan on getting a suspension kit so i can make that better. the interior is decent i got the leather package in the car too bad it doesnt have heated seats
September 15, 2011Trims & specs
Base MSRP $23,495 | Seating 5 |
Engine 3.0L 221 hp V6 | Cargo Capacity 15.8 cu ft |
Combined MPG 20 | Drivetrain AWD |
Base MSRP $24,585 | Seating 5 |
Engine 3.0L 221 hp V6 | Cargo Capacity 15.8 cu ft |
Combined MPG 20 | Drivetrain AWD |
Base MSRP $22,735 | Seating 5 |
Engine 3.0L 221 hp V6 | Cargo Capacity 15.8 cu ft |
Combined MPG 22 | Drivetrain FWD |
Base MSRP $20,010 | Seating 5 |
Engine 2.3L 160 hp I4 | Cargo Capacity 15.8 cu ft |
Combined MPG 24 | Drivetrain FWD |
Base MSRP $21,645 | Seating 5 |
Engine 3.0L 221 hp V6 | Cargo Capacity 15.8 cu ft |
Combined MPG 22 | Drivetrain FWD |
Base MSRP $17,995 | Seating 5 |
Engine 2.3L 160 hp I4 | Cargo Capacity 15.8 cu ft |
Combined MPG 24 | Drivetrain FWD |
Base MSRP $18,920 | Seating 5 |
Engine 2.3L 160 hp I4 | Cargo Capacity 15.8 cu ft |
Combined MPG 24 | Drivetrain FWD |
