2012 Fusion rental car

[ls1mike]

Had the opportunity to drive a Fusion for a few days.
Overall all I like the car. It rode smooth, with an acceptable level of interior noise. Very comfortable. I liked the insurment panel. Very good brakes.
Plenty of power and it handled adequately for this type of car.

A few thing I did not like.
The way it's automatic transmission shifted seemed funny too me. I couldn't put my finger on it. Just not what I am used to I guess. Just seems like it "rolled" into the gears with no clear distinction bewteen each shift. Just a change in engine RPM.

The engine as I said had plenty of power, but it was not delievered smoothly, I guess that was more of how the throttle works. Just seemed slow to respond even when slowing down.

Overall all a pretty good, practical 4 door daily driver.

 

[SLCraig]

What was the engine/trim level?

I think they're great looking cars. I like you can get it with a 6 speed manual with the 4 cyl engine.

 

[ls1mike]

I know it had the V6, and I do believe it was an SE. No leather, sunroof, Nav or heated seats, but just about everything else.

 

[SLCraig]

That is definitely the "bulk" seller, I think 80% of the ones I see are the SE trim with all the regular options.

I have only been in an older generation and I did not like the automatic either, but it might have been a different trans in the previous generation V6 Fusion.

 

[aquariuscsm]

V6 one imo is the only one that's acceptable. The 4cyl has no power.

 

[aquariuscsm]

My favorite Ford is the new Taurus SHO. TON of power,built really solid,and one of the most comfortable cars I've ever driven.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

I had a 4 cylinder fusion a few months back as a rental. The first generation.

Ford's transmissions always seem to shift soft ... but I'm used to my AW-4.

First gear on the 5AT is very low and if you're in it, the 4 cyl seems to get up to speed. It's certainly not a powerful engine, but gearing seems to help.

The fusion is worlds ahead of the Taurus I had. Much more stiff chassis (in a good way), brakes felt better, steering felt better, etc.

Very impressed with the first generation. Havnen't been in a second generation, but I wouldn't mind one with the 6MT

 

[LeakySeals]

Some say clunking into gear and hard noticeable shifts is indication of a problem or the need for a flush/drain. Some say transmissions that are too smooth through the gears are almost worn out. I dunno which is true, or if both are false. My Camry is like the fusion you mention. Very smooth, can't feel it shift. The GP is in the middle. You can feel it a little, but clunks going into gear. Between the 2 I prefer the smooth one. But thats a preference thing.

 

[97f150]

Both my F150 and Fusion have the 6 speed transmission. I was caught off guard at first as I have never felt a transmission shift the way these do. I researched and apparently its normal, just something to get used to.

 

[Spazdog]

Originally Posted By: SLCraig
That is definitely the "bulk" seller, I think 80% of the ones I see are the SE trim with all the regular options.

I have only been in an older generation and I did not like the automatic either, but it might have been a different trans in the previous generation V6 Fusion.


I have the same transmission as the older V6 Fusion. It's the programming. I don't know why Ford didn't carry over the Mazda6's transmission but it's something you notice. The current model's transmission has similar anti-driving enthusiast programming and it has some additional operational oddities.

 

[Klutch9]

Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
V6 one imo is the only one that's acceptable. The 4cyl has no power.


I have to disagree. I think the 2.5L has plenty of power, with 175 hp/tq. It's not a ton of power, but it's more than enough with a 6-speed automatic in a car that only weighs 3300 lbs. It'll get going in a hurry. Then again, this is coming from a person who thinks that 130 hp in a Focus is also more than enough. It's all relative I guess.

 

[kkreit01]

Are you sure it was a V6? I could be wrong, but most rentals are typically 4-bangers. 1 or 2 exhaust pipes out rear. 2 split = V6.

 

[97f150]

Originally Posted By: kkreit01
Are you sure it was a V6? I could be wrong, but most rentals are typically 4-bangers. 1 or 2 exhaust pipes out rear. 2 split = V6.


x2. All of the 4 cylinders I have seen only had 1 pipe. The 3.0s all have 2

 

[itguy08]

Had a 2012 loaner while the Taurus was in the shop for a knock sensor replacement. Decent mid size car. It was the 4 banger but even with 4 adults it had enough power. Shifting seemed fine but I used to the Ford 6 speed shift patterns.

 

[Hokiefyd]

We have two 2011 Fusion hybrids at work. They're nice cars, though I have some ergonomic issues with them. They have CVTs, so I can't comment about the shifting. Though I am impressed with the engine and hybrid drive system; it will scoot down the road.

 

[ls1mike]

I was V6 I looked under the hood.