The Ford Fusion is still available. Although Ford may drop its sedan’s redesign in 2020, reports earlier this year suggested that the automaker would give its mid-sized vehicle a minor update for 2019. The update is actually quite minor in this instance, with only a new grille, LED driving lamps, and a trunk lid panel, and rear LED tail lights.
Ford offers most of its driver assistance systems, rebranded as Co-Pilot360, as standard equipment in the Fusion line. Even the base model Fusion S will have automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind spot monitoring, lane-keep assistance, and an auto high beam headlights. There’s also a rear backup cam. Co-Pilot360 assist, which includes adaptive cruise control and stop-and-go functionality, is a step up. It also features voice-activated navigation via Sirius XM Traffic, and Travel Link.
The 2019 Fusion will also see some badge shifting. The SEL trim level is back, and basically takes over the SE Luxury Package’s role. The Platinum model, the most expensive model in the line, gets the boot. This means that the Fusion Sport takes the top spot with its all wheel drive and V6 power. Blue Oval’s 1.5-liter EcoBoost motor becomes the standard mill for all other models except the Fusion S and Sport. Hybrid models use the 2.0-liter engine in the gasoline-electric union.
Ford claims that the 2019 Energi Titanium will have a “nearly 20 percent” increase in its electric-only range. Ford believes that the projected range expansion could allow plug-in customers to “potentially enable up to 80 percent” of their daily commutes using electric power, based on data it has gleaned from more than 23,000 hybrid customers over the years. This is provided that the cars can be charged at both home and work. It is amazing to see how Ford uses the words “potential”, “projected” so that real-world results can be very different.
Ford will offer new colors and wheel options for the 2019 Fusion. The Fusion will be on sale in the summer, Ford states. Next week, the car will be unveiled to the public at New York Auto Show 2018.