Ford Fusion

Fusion is a hatchback. Parked side-by-side, the Fusion looks far larger than the Ikon, and towers over its sibling. And it's this height, partly thanks to the large 15-inch rims, which makes it so practical for the cut-and-thrust of urban traffic. Standing taller than most cars, the Fusion has oodles of road presence, perfect for our 'might is right' driving. The increased height has other practical advantages too. For one, the larger wheels and generous ground clearance will let you play hopscotch through the potholes in Mumbai's streets. It comes with 195/60 R-15 tubeless tyres, and while we feel the tyre profile maybe too low to cushion the occupants from our roads, the Fusion's ground clearance of 195mm (15mm better than the Ikon) will tame even the largest speedbreakers. There's
                                                                                                                                         lot of glass area so there are no big blind

spots, and you get a panoramic view out of the wide windscreen. Sitting high up gives you a sense of control and makes parking or manoeuvring through traffic a lot easier. The instant you slip behind the wheel, you know you're not sitting in an ordinary car. You don't have to climb into the Fusion like you would in an SUV, nor do you have to crouch down to get in like you would in a regular sedan or hatch. In the Fusion, the seat height is at the perfect level for you to simply slide in and out. The military-style circular air-vents and ribbed storage box on top of the sharply chiselled dashboard are a reflection of the Fusion's rugged image. However, the dashboard plastics feel cheap with their shiny, hard texture and that's a shame since all the controls and
switches have a nice, high-quality feel. Previous Ford owners will recognise some switchgear as typically Ford, like the rotary control for the electric power mirrors (only available on the high-end version) The power-window switches at the rear come from the Ikon. The vehicle is available in three versions and derives its power from two engines. The S version of the car is powered by a four cylinder 2.3 Liter engine, while the SE and SEL versions are powered by a Duratec V6 engine.

A cross-over between a hatch and a SUV, the Fusion is a decent car and exudes a 'different' feel. There is sufficient space in the cabin and the comfort levels are just about adequate. The interior is a smart-looking affair. The 1.6L petrol engine is a hoot to drive while the 1.4L TDCi motor offers good mileage that the petrol engine lacks. The handling is acceptable and the ride is fine. It is a very expensive hatchback which has created a niche segment for itself.