We’ve always quite liked the Ford Fusion. Since it’s introduction in 2006 it has served as a shining example of what a good domestic car can be: stylish, roomy, comfortable, easy to live with,

Fusions to choose from: for 2010, the Fusion lineup has a bold new front end and more trim and engine options. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

and blessed with a healthy dollop of refinement and character. Our fear was that after succeeding with the Fusion, Ford would let it languish like the original Taurus did.

Well fear not, because for 2010 Ford has completely refreshed the Fusion lineup, and the changes are all good. Style-wise there are new front and rear treatments and fresh interiors filled with soft touch materials. Mechanically the lineup gets new engines and transmissions for 2010 and a host of refinements, like Ford’s “Easy Fill” capless fuel filling system. And of course there’s the introduction of a hybrid variation for 2010.

The all-new Fusion Hybrid takes Ford into a whole new market segment. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

The number of trim levels has increased too, and there are now seven Fusion configurations to choose from, starting with the base front-wheel drive 4-cylinder S trim at an MSRP of $21,995, and moving up from there to the 4-cylinder SE trim (which adds 17-inch wheels and Sirius satellite radio), and the SEL trim (which adds an automatic transmission and automatic climate control among other features) in 4-cylinder, V6 and AWD V6 variations. Finally, there’s the AWD Sport, which clocks in at an MSRP of $35,299 and the Hybrid at $31,999.

The Fusion was stylish from the get-go, with flowing, well-proportioned lines. But while its original front end was handsome, I always felt it lacked pizzazz.

The Sport model can be ordered with coloured seat inserts and dash trim for a standout look. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

I also never quite “got” the wrap-over headlights, which to me looked too big for the car’s front end. The new design fixes that, with an aggressively domed hood, a big lower grille, and a bolder three-bar upper chrome grille that cuts deep into the front bumper and ties directly into the sleek new headlights. The look is more European, which goes well with the Fusion’s clean profile.

At the rear, the centre brake light has been moved to the trunk lip and there are new taillights with a honeycomb lens pattern. A rear spoiler is now standard on the Sport model, and offered optionally on all other models except the Hybrid.

The new instruments are at once oh-so-modern and pleasingly retro. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

Inside, Ford’s design team created an updated, modern look with new metallic finishes and plenty of soft-touch materials. The gauges have been replaced with cool blue dials that are at once oh-so-up-to-date and, to my eye, pleasingly retro. There’s a modified steering wheel, some very welcoming ambient lighting effects, and re-contoured seats. I found the seats impressively comfortable in all the Fusions I drove, from the SE on up to the Sport and Hybrid. The Sony-tuned stereo in the Sport was phenomenal, adding to my personal roster of best factory systems.

The Fusion Sport comes with 18-inch 5-spoke aluminum wheels. The SE and SEL models get 17-inch wheels. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

The only quibbles I had with the interior were the rather flimsy-feeling lid for the central dash cubby, and the turn-signal indicator, which has a very “quality” sounding metronome tick-tock that loudly plays out-of-beat with any music you might be listening to while waiting to turn at traffic lights.

Mechanically, Ford has replaced the previous 160-hp 2.3-litre I-4 with a more powerful 175hp, 172 lb-ft, 2.5L four. The 5-speed manual transmission has been replaced with sweet-shifting 6-speed manual that makes the base model cars rather sporty, especially if you take the $1,200 saved by not selecting the automatic (itself now a 6-speed for the I-4s) and spend it instead on the power moonroof package.

For 2010, the 2.3L I-4 has been replaced with a 2.5L four making 175hp and 172 lb-ft of torque. Six-speed transmissions are now included throughout the lineup. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

I enjoyed tearing around Quebec in a manual-shift SE; it handles competently and shifts smoothly, with gearing that sees 2,600rpm at 110km/h in 6th. My only disappointment was that the pedal spacing is such that heel-and-toe downshifts are downright impossible. I guess Ford thought it was more important to ensure you could easily drive the car in winter with your Sorel boots on.

The Duratec 3.0 V6 that has served as the backbone of the Fusion lineup since its introduction remains, but has been updated for 2010 to provide more power (up from 221 to 240hp, and 205 to 222 lb-ft of torque), better economy, and E-85 ethanol flex fuel capability. For the AWD Sport model, Ford has introduced its new 263hp, 249 lb-ft Duratec 3.5L V6. All V6 models get 6-speed automatic transmissions with manual mode.

The standard interior features metallic finishes and soft touch materials for a modern ambiance. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

I found the 3.5L V6 in the Sport model I drove to be pleasant and refined, with good power throughout the rev range. Pushed hard it was certainly willing enough, but it didn’t really beg to be thrashed. Of course, that might be different if you could get the Sport with the sweet manual transmission from the base car — a combination that the marketing folks at Ford tell me they fought for,

New taillights feature a honeycomb pattern within the lens. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

but that couldn’t be justified given the projected sales numbers for such a setup.

The Fusion Hybrid on the other hand should see plenty of sales: a JPMorgan survey estimates that a worldwide total of 11.28 million hybrid vehicles will soon be purchased each year, boosting HEV sales up to 13% globally (20% in the US). The Fusion Hybrid is a worthy competitor in this segment: the tester I drove turned in an impressive 4.5L/100km when driven with a bit of care, and proved capable of doing better than 70km/h on electric power alone.

With the Fusion getting more style, more power and more choices than ever before, worthy is a good description for the midsize sedan’s entire lineup. It’s a car that we’ve always liked, and we like it even better now.

Interior

Exterior

Mechanical

Safety

Dimensions

Misc

(41H) Engine Block Heater

(J005) Standard Gloss Paint

(12Y) Floor Mats

(44W) 6-Speed Automatic Transmission

(55S) Remote Start

(PU6) Metallic Tinted Paint