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STYLING | 8 out of 10
Expert Quotes:
Improbably, the Fusion has aged well
Cars.com
Clean and a bit more interesting to look at than a Honda Accord or a Toyota Camry
Automobile Magazine
The center dash is not beautiful, however, and the interior looks classier in the lighter colors
MyRide.com
The 2009 Ford Fusion wins favor among automotive experts in reviews read by TheCarConnection.com for its eye-catching blend of sharp edges and contoured surfaces. Unfortunately, those same reviewers didn't find much to love about the boring interior.
The Ford Fusion "fits into the Ford car lineup between the compact Focus and the big Taurus sedan," according to reviewers at MyRide.com. Cars.com states that prospective buyers will have "a choice of S, SE and SEL trim levels," although the exterior differences aren't significant. In a welcome change for Ford, the exterior of the Ford Fusion wins significant praise from reviewers; MyRide.com says that "some people, including us, like the aggressive, angular look of the Fusion, some don't. We'd like to note that polarizing designs are often more successful than bland designs that neither offend nor excite anyone." Automobile Magazine likes how the panels on the Ford Fusion come together in a way that is "clean and a bit more interesting" than most of the Fusion's competition.
For 2009, Ford offers a couple ways to distinguish your Ford Fusion from the pack, as Cars.com notes the availability of "optional dual chrome exhaust tips (standard on SE V-6 and SEL V-6)," as well as an "optional sports appearance package: 18-inch alloy wheels, unique black chrome grill and rear-lip spoiler."
Moving inside the well-received sheetmetal that adorns the 2009 Ford Fusion is a bit disappointing, as the interior styling fails to excite in the same way as the exterior. AutoWeek characterizes it as "the same boring and straightforward layout you can expect from Ford," while Cars.com notes that "certain elements are especially dated—most obviously the stereo system, which still sits in a square cutout." Other reviewers mention similar problems with the bland styling, but some positives do emerge from the interior of the Ford Fusion. Foremost among them is "the simple layout of the buttons and the controls in [the] cabin," which Automobile Magazine says is "much better than a new Honda Accord" in that regard. ConsumerGuide also comments that "the gauges are easy to see and read." Ford Fusion owners who opt for the Blue Suede interior package will get a nice little boost inside the cabin, as AutoWeek points out that the "blue Alcantara seat and door panel inserts give the otherwise boring cabin a little flair."
Conclusion
The 2009 Ford Fusion is more stylish than most in this category, and a few optional appearance packages can spruce up both the interior and exterior.
