Rather than allowing the popular Fusion to lose its state-of-the-art looks and sporty performance edge in the second decade of the century, Ford has given the 2016 Fusion lineup an infusion of styling tweaks inside and out, along with a new automatic transmission.
One identifiable change for the upcoming year’s version of this capable 5-passenger midsize sedan’s profile is the deletion of the unique front quarter windows. Inside, a new dashboard design is complemented by a refreshed steering wheel. Meantime, the expected automatic transmission upgrade boasts 3 extra gears and a rotary shift knob replacing the old shift lever.
Again for 2016, the Fusion can be delivered as either a gasoline-only or hybrid vehicle, with non-hybrid trims listed as the base S, the up-featured SE and the top-shelf Titanium. The Hybrid SE and Hybrid Titanium represent the gas/electric trim lineup. Front-wheel drive (FWD) remains standard across the lineup, but the non-hybrid SE and Titanium variants can also be delivered with available all-wheel drive (AWD). The Fusion Hybrids, meantime, remain available only with FWD.
The traditional array of engine choices also returns for the Fusion’s upcoming trim offerings, with the base non-hybrid engine remaining a competent 2.5-liter inline 4-cylinder (I4) mill driving the S and SE trims. Expect 175 hp and 175 lb-ft of torque from this capable powerplant. Be advised, however, that it’s not confirmed that the soon-to-be-introduced 9-speed shiftable automatic transmission with its Euro-styled rotary shift knob will be offered with the base engine. If not, then look for the traditional 6-speed shiftable automatic to manage this entry-level I4 to the tune of 22 mpg city/34 highway.
Also available in the SE trim, but standard in the flagship Titanium trim, is the potent 2.0-liter turbocharged I4 that brings 240 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque to the table. This ultra-capable powerplant is also scheduled to be managed by the debuting 9-speed shiftable automatic, though mileage figures with the new gearbox are unavailable.
Look for the 2016 Fusion Hybrid, finally, to return packing the traditional 2.0-liter hybrid I4 gasoline-fired engine, along with a single high-voltage electric motor. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) again manages 188 total hp, while regenerative braking helps the I4 juice up the 1.4 kWh (kilowatt/hour) lithium-ion battery. Ford once again claims this heady Fusion will be able to scoot up to 85 mph on electric power alone for short distances, while maintaining market-leading mileage at 44/41.
Depending on the trim selected, standard appearance bling and creature comforts returning for 2016 include 16-17- or 18-inch alloy wheels, a rear spoiler, heated power-adjustable outside mirrors, cloth or leather upholstery, full power accessories, cruise control, and telescoping tilt-wheel steering. Further returning bling will include heated power-adjustable front seats, upgraded Bluetooth-interfaced SYNC infotainment with the integrated MyFord Touch 4.2-inch display (8-inch in higher trims), rear parking sensors, dual-zone auto climate control, and a rear-view camera.
Entertainment-wise, look for the redesigned 2016 Fusion lineup to boast a single-CD player and 4 speakers in the S trim, while the SE sports 6 speakers and standard satellite radio. The Titanium, furthermore, packs a 12-speaker Sony premium system with a video monitor and a memory card slot.
Look for the S trim to offer a bunch of features that come standard in higher trims as optional equipment, although a power moonroof and a remote garage door opener remain available only to higher trims. Additional trim-dependent standalone options, meantime, include a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, GPS navigation, and upsized and upgraded wheels.
Expect the non-hybrid 2016 Fusion lineup, despite its upgraded exterior and reworked cabin decor, to return sporting 16 cubic feet of trunk space. The similarly improved hybrid trunk capacities, burdened as they are with the bulky battery pack, drop to a mere 12 cubes of load space.
Standard safety equipment throughout the 2016 Fusion lineup is once again anticipated to include 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), front side-mounted airbags, front and rear head airbags, daytime running lights and a post-collision safety system. A remote antitheft alarm returns standard across the board, as does Ford's MyKey programmable speed and audio settings. Additionally, the SE and Titanium trims once again offer standard turn-signal-integrated mirrors and SYNC emergency telematics.
Also on tap for 2016, the Fusion will return boasting adaptive cruise control, Ford's Active Parking Assist, and rear inflatable seatbelts as safety options in higher trims, along with the Driver Assist Package, which sports a blind spot information system (BLIS), lane departure warnings, driver awareness monitoring, and automatic high-beam headlights.
