The Ford Fusion As Ford's Premier Mid-Size Sedan

The Ford Fusion and its place in the market point out that it's probably truly the first actual 'world car' from the Dearborn, Michigan automaker. Built at the Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico stamping and assembly plant, it's been Ford's 'go-to' mid-size sedan for the both North and South America since making its first appearance in late 2005 for the 2006 model years.

Hermosillo is also where the Fusion's stablemates -- the Mercury Milan and the Lincoln MKZ -- are also manufactured. The Ford model, though, is the most popular of the three, all of whom are based off the CD3 platform which is also shared with the well-regarded Mazda6. Fusion is Ford's replacement for the Mondeo, which had been popular in Latin America for quite some time and still is, in Argentina, where it continues to be sold.

It is also on the Fusion where Ford's now-common 'three-bar grille' made its debut. That grille is now omnipresent throughout Ford's vehicle lineup but was quite new when the Fusion rolled out dressed up in such finery. The Fusion itself falls between the smaller Focus and the larger Taurus in Ford's vehicle mix and has been a top-selling sedan for Ford ever since.

Sold in three trims (S, SE and loaded up SEL), the engine packages available in the Fusion are made up of a nicely-powered 4 cylinder engine and a V6 powerplant. The smaller mill still put out a healthy 160 ponies while the V6 delivered adequate power, at 221 horses though that's been improved to 260 for 2010. 5 speed manuals and automatics are available in S and SE while the SEL comes with a six-speed automatic and the V6.

In keeping with its plan to gradually evolve the Fusion, FoMoCo added all-wheel drive capability in 2007, making many consumers in the snowy northern reaches of the Americas a bit happier. Even the value-priced 'S' model contains features and conveniences usually found only in pricier vehicles out in the market.

Additionally, front-seat side airbags and also side curtain bags were made standard on all three trims, along with a new perimter anti-theft alarm system. Up until 2007, all had been optional. Ford also made available a DVD-based navigation setup, along with satellite radio.

In recognition of changing consumer tastes and a increased desire for safety features - some of which were mandated by the federal government - Ford also threw a tire pressure monitoring system and anti-lock brakes into the mix in 2008. Ford's popular Microsoft-engineered SYNCH package was also made available on the Ford Fusion that year.

For 2010, the Fusion has undergone a complete redesign. It's most exciting development is the addition of a high-mileage gas-electric hybrid model that gets 41 miles to the gallon in city driving. It's no performance slug, either, putting out 155 horses from its small 4 cylinder gas-electric mill. Both mileage and horses are impressive achievement in such a vehicle.

Today's Ford Fusion is quite an improvement in evolution from Ford models of even 10 years ago. Its twin attributes of value and true comfort and convenience are making it a force in the mid-size sedan segment, which has traditionally been dominated by certain foreign automakers.