Ford Fusion AWD begins at $23,430
Ford announced today that its Fusion mid-size sedan equipped with all-wheel drive will have a base MSRP of $23,430 when it goes on sale at dealers this week. The upper level SEL model will base for $24,525. That base price comes in below its stable mate, the Mercury Milan AWD, which begins at $24,315. Ford is also touting that the Fusion AWD costs less than the Toyota Camry LE V6 ($23,960) and Honda Accord SE V6 ($23,945), essentially making the case that customers can get a Fusion with all-wheel drive for free at the same price as front-wheel driven competitors. While we won't dispute Ford on the facts, there's also the fact that the Camry's 3.5-liter V6 produces 268 horsepower and the Accord's 3.0-liter V6 produces 244 horsepower, compared with the Fusion's 3.0-liter V6 that produces only 221 horsepower. Couple the Fusion's less powerful engine with more weight and drivetrain components to turn, and we expect the Fusion AWD's performance will be near the back of the pack compared to its FWD competitors. It is still the case that this is a great price for an all-wheel drive mid-size sedan, especially after comparing the Fusion AWD's price to, say, a Subaru Legacy. While you can score a Legacy with AWD starting at $20,795 sans delivery charges, that model is powered by a significantly weaker 175-hp, 2.5-liter boxer four-cylinder. If you want comparable power in the Legacy, you'll have to step up to the 2.5 GT Limited model that adds a turbo to produce 243 hp but starts at $28,295. So it seems like Ford has deftly filled a vacant niche for an inexpensive, V6-powered AWD sedan that, along with the Fusion's impecable quality to date, should translate into even more Fusion sales for the Blue Oval.
Ford's press release can be found after the jump.
[Source: Ford]
PRESS RELEASE:
2007 Fusion AWD starting at $23,430
The first Fusion all-wheel drive (AWD) models arrive at dealers this week as the most affordable, V-6 powered AWD sedans on the market. Fusion SE AWD models start at $23,430, including destination and delivery, while Fusion SEL AWD models start at $24,525.
By comparison, the Toyota Camry LE V-6 starts at $23,960 including destination, and the Honda Accord SE V-6 starts at $23,945 with destination. However, the Accord and Camry are not available with AWD, at any price.
"For the same money as an Accord or Camry, we're offering a Fusion with all-wheel-drive for free," says Giombetti. "The addition of all-wheel drive will be a huge advantage for Fusion, and shows that Ford is intent on leading – not following – this segment."
Ford expects sales of vehicles equipped with AWD to double from 25 percent of the total U.S. market in 2003 to 50 percent by 2012. That increase will be largely driven by consumers who want to retain the confidence of four-wheel traction as they migrate from their current SUVs and trucks into new sedans and crossover vehicles.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
pd 1:57PM (10/26/2006)
I'm pretty sure this car will be available with the 3.5 litre(263h.p.) engine, like the Lincoln MKZ, next year.
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BillC 2:01PM (10/26/2006)
Really? Do you work for Ford? I do, and it is not going to happen.
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menice 2:12PM (10/26/2006)
ha! owned!
and good move Ford.
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Mike Razpezdaev 6:25PM (10/26/2006)
Am i crazy or is this finaly a half decent car coming out of Detroit in a long long long time. This is the kind of cars that will bring Detroit back, not YET ANOTHER SUV like we saw on the main page coming from Saturn. Fusion is new, cool, hip, so far quality is good. This is the first step to making money.
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KT 2:23PM (10/26/2006)
The argument about HP when compared to the imports probably doesn't come into play as much with the majority of consumers buying mid-size sedans. I believe most ppl would forsake 20hp (especially when torque numbers are more comparable except for toyo 3.5) for AWD and potentially lower payments.
However, if it hurts mpg by more than 5 miles, there will be some negative impact.
And BillC is correct. The 3.5 will not show up in the Fusion/Milan anytime soon (if at all). I think you may see a turbo 4 possibly in the future.
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MC 2:22PM (10/26/2006)
Why why why? I'd seriously consider buying this car if it had the 3.5, AWD, and a manual...
Stick a V8 in the Lincoln and give this Fusion the engine it needs to compete with the imports!
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MC 2:34PM (10/26/2006)
A turbo 4 would also be a great option for this car. Keeps the price down, fuel mileage up, and paired with a manual would be fun to drive as well.
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AK 3:14PM (10/26/2006)
I'm not sure that the Fusion's V6 can be called "comparable" to the Legacy turbo-4...unless the Fusion V6 can do 60 under 6 seconds. The figure I found on MSN was 7.4 seconds.
As for the AWD, does anyone know if Ford's system is similar to the Haldex system (FWD most of the time, AWD when slippage occurs) or is it full-time like Subaru's?
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pd 2:37PM (10/26/2006)
From what i read 3.5 litre will be available 2008 think it was in autoweek,the car connection,and edmunds.
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Second Chance 2:41PM (10/26/2006)
Any word on its sibling the AWD Milan? Pricing?
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Tim UF 2:41PM (10/26/2006)
why would they withhold the 3.5L?
my understanding of it was that the 3.5 was developed to replace the aging and "underpowered" 3.0L duratec... as well as replacing the 4.0L six in the 'stang and ranger... itd do well to reduce the parts portfolio in any case (and reduce operating costs).
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JayP 2:43PM (10/26/2006)
"Ford expects sales of vehicles equipped with AWD to double from 25 percent of the total U.S. market in 2003 to 50 percent by 2012..."
I doubt it. We saw this in the 80's when Audi made AWD popular. Everyone had an AWD car (Pontiac 6000 AWD?).
2WD with traction control is about all a 'consumer' will need. The SUV craze wasn't about AWD but sitting high, mass and status.
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DKB_SATX 2:46PM (10/26/2006)
I think the performance comparison with the Subaru Legacy 2.5i is going to be closer than the author thinks. The 5MT Legacy 2.5i Special Edition that's price-comparable with the FWD Fusion only weighs 25 lb more than the FWD Fusion SEL V6. Add the weight of the AWD hardware onto the Fusion and you'll have a heavier car to soak up some of the V6's performance, plus the likelihood of more trips to the dealer to fix the drivetrain than you'd expect in the Subaru.
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Dan 3:13PM (10/26/2006)
and have you looked at the safety ratings for the Fusion? I know safety's not the coolest feature of a car, but the Fusions numbers make me think they're not even trying.
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MikeW 3:09PM (10/26/2006)
This car is haldex, and should only be compared with the Subaru 2.5 non turbo. That 4 speed auto Subaru has the same clutch pack transfer system.
The subaru 2.5 non turbo manual has a 50/50 split center differential
The subaru turbo automatic has a 45/55 center differential with the automatic, and a 50/50 center differential with the 5 speed manual. The 6 speed manual may have a planetary center differential? don't know yet, but keeping fingers crossed.
Does the ford continue to use the AW 6 speed auto, or is Ford using the GM/Ford joint 6 speed auto?
How much does a set of winter tires/wheels cost from the TireRack?
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phuc-vu 3:11PM (10/26/2006)
I wish I knew the '07 would be all-wheel drive 'cause I would've waited. There is no comparison to the Fusion and Camry. The 2006 XLE that I owned felt weightless in the front end. It felt "tinny" and light. The Fusion SEL is heavy and secure. Plus add all the things you get compaired to the Camry for THOUSANDS less.
Don't wait... buy a Fusion, or the (Fusion based) Edge because you won't be sorry.
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Daniel 3:27PM (10/26/2006)
Ford and Mercury really do need the 3.5 V6 to be competitive in this segment. The Lincoln should have the 3.7 V6 with a Turbo option for the MKZ. The future Lincoln MKS needs to start with the 3.7 V6 and have a Turbo option and a 4.4 V8 option.
Ford really needs to offer their customers a range of engine choices to be competitive. Same goes for their large SUVs - they need to come out with the 6.X Hurricane engine with about 380 to 400 hp. They also need the baby diesel V6 for trucks and SUVs.
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jordan 3:35PM (10/26/2006)
Re: #12, MikeW:
IIRC, the only motor getting the new GM/Ford 6-speed will be the 3.5L.
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Michael Karesh 3:36PM (10/26/2006)
I've driven the Lincoln MKZ with this system. While I believe it is Haldex, I could stop on the gas mid-turn and still encounter no torque steer. The Haldex system in the latest XC90 is considerably improved over earlier versions, and some of the lessons learned might have been passed to Ford NA.
My review of the MKZ AWD, which also evaluates the 3.5 the Fusion didn't get:
http://www.epinions.com/content_262697553540
The transmission is still the AW unit. One person over at BlueOvalNews was considering canceling his MKZ order as a result.
Thanks for the heads-up on the AWD prices. I'll get them into the database tonight.
http://www.truedelta.com/models/Fusion.php
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Michael Karesh 3:38PM (10/26/2006)
In my previous comment, "stop" should be "stomp."
To repeat something there, even the 3.5 in the MKZ does not get the new transmission. Only the Edge and MKX do so far. With both the 3.5 and new transmission they're probably ramping up production slowly. Don't want to put them into a zillion cars until after any early bugs are worked out...
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