18th Nov 2008, 20:51
Mazda is 30% Ford.
Also I suspect the engine comes from Mazda. I think Ford has a 2L and 2.2L engine in Europe.
If you check the Fusion's dimensions, those of the Mondeo are exactly the same.
19th Nov 2008, 18:59
Yes, the 4-cyl version of the Fusion uses a modified version of the Mazda designed 2.3 liter... But the Fusion is not related to the Mondeo. Just because two different cars share similar dimensions doesn't mean they're based on the same platform. North America did have a version of the Mondeo from 1995 to 2000 called the Ford Contour/Mercury Mystique.
21st Nov 2008, 17:09
That car was Mondeo MKII in Europe and only the boot lid was different. The updated face lift Contour had exactly the same face like Mondeo MkII.
Fusion is Mondeo MkIII that has been discontinued in EU in 2000.
21st Nov 2008, 17:39
A "very noisy engine" in a Fusion sounds like a problem. I test drove both the V-6 and 4-cylinder Fusion before buying a Mustang. The 4-cylinder Fusion was one of the most solid, quiet cars I have ever driven. It almost rivaled my mom's last Lincoln Town Car. If it had been available as a sporty 2-door coupe, I'd have bought one.
22nd May 2009, 21:47
I bought the Fusion S 4 cylinder 5 speed standard. I constantly get 33 miles to the gallon. I am 71 years old and I think this is the best American car built today. Quiet, handles great. Has plenty of power. Doesn't want to start running until about 75 or 80 miles an hour. Ford has a winner with this one. My 70 year old girl friend liked mine so much she bought one.
23rd May 2009, 18:39
In the US car magazines, I read often that the Fusion/Milan/MKZ is based on the Mazda 6 platform (wheels, suspension, frame, etc.) so I was surprised by the Mondeo suggestion. So I did some searching on the web.
Wikipedia has this to say about it.
"The Fusion shares some interior parts with the otherwise unrelated Mk III Ford Mondeo, such as part of the console and the seats."
I don't know if European visitors on this site are aware of how many good reviews the United States car magazines have been giving the new Mondeo. They all bemoan the fact that the best Ford products are only available in Europe. The Mondeo was not engineered for US safety regulations so it can't be brought over without expensive modifications that make it not worth the effort.
When Ford brings Volvo products to the US, they soften the suspensions to compensate for our more cracked roads and expansion joints. So it is unclear what they would do with the Mondeo anyway.
23rd May 2009, 21:43
To 21:47
Bless you!! I hope you and your girl friend both continue to enjoy your Fusions. I'm a senior citizen too, and I love both my Fusion and my Mustang. My I-4 Fusion is very fast for a 4 and gets great mileage. It is the most solidly built car I have ever owned, and that includes Japanese and German cars as well. Ford has a definite winner in the Fusion.
11th Aug 2009, 08:25
When better cars are built, Ford will build them!! Ford put America on wheels, Americans made Ford No.1. My first car was a 1936 Ford, my last car will be my current Fusion SEL.
11th Aug 2009, 22:06
My first car was a 1949 Ford that had 100,000 miles on it when I was given it as a gift by my father. I drove it all through high school. It was flawless. Our 1975 Ford Granada was bought new and driven over 320,000 miles over a 17-year period with less than $500 in total repairs. Our current 2006 Fusion is the best Ford yet for us. It will probably still be running long after I'm gone.
On the other hand our one (and thankfully ONLY) Honda never made 100,000 miles and was one of the most unreliable, poorly built cars I've ever been cursed with. I'll stick with Fords. They run until you just get tired of them.
2nd Sep 2009, 17:18
I wasn't tired of my Mercury Sable that blew a head gasket at 70K (FORD=Found On Road Dead).
4th Sep 2009, 11:27
Abusing and overheating any car will cause the cylinder heads to warp and the head gaskets to blow. That's hardly the car's fault.
27th Sep 2009, 19:44
I posted the original review. I am glad you got a good Fusion, I wasn't happy with mine.
I traded in at 5000 miles and I got a second hand 2009 Taurus with 8000 miles on board. It has the new engine 3.5 liters that is a beauty.
Is a big difference from Fusion and I'm happy I didn't wait more. I get constantly 18,5 miles/gal in town and 26 on highway. Practically on the same roads, therefore is not my driving to blame.
When I'll have time I will post a review of my Taurus. Drive safe.
17th Nov 2008, 18:36
Just to clarify, the Ford Fusion that is sold in North America is actually not based on the European Mondeo but on the Mazda 6/Atenza platform, which is also not related to the Mondeo...