For 2020, the Fusion doesn't earn any safety awards because every headlight combination earned a Poor rating. Even our Titanium earned the lowest rating due to excessive glare. Passenger-side small-overlap protection is rated Good, but there's no credit for the Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection system for avoiding vehicle-to-pedestrian crashes. In fact, in the crossing child test, the Fusion didn't even slow down. It didn't do much in the crossing adult test either.

The 2.0L EcoBoost is down on power from much of its competition, but 240 horsepower and 270 lb/ft of torque is still strong numbers. Our tester also came without all-wheel-drive.

The Fusion was a total tire shredder when you floored it from a stop. Do it, and you'll roast the living hell out of the tires for a few seconds before regaining traction and pushed forward by the strong torque of the engine. The 6-speed automatic is well sorted, but the paddle shifters are slow to respond, taking around a second to do anything. There's one big thing I gotta say about the Fusion we tested. HOLY TORQUE STEER. It felt as if the entire front end of the car was lifting and popping a wheelie!!! The steering became really light and sometimes even around corners, the Fusion had extreme torque steer. It was quite fun, but if you are getting a Fusion Titanium, I strongly suggest opting for AWD.

The Fusion is a comfortable, quiet, and well-put-together family mover. The seats are comfy, the interior is airy, the gas and brake pedals have the perfect about of resistance, the interior is quiet, and the ride is firm, but not uncomfortably firm.

The Fusion is way behind on fuel economy compared to the competition, but the 2.0L EcoBoost I4 in FWD guise gets 21 MPG city and 31 highway, which is quite respectable and nearly matches the Honda Accord 2.0T with their new 10-speed automatic, which gets 22 and 32, respectively. Opt for the 1.5L EcoBoost, and this is where the Fusion has a lot of work to do. It gets a paltry 23 city and 34 highway, whereas the Accord tops out at 30 city and 38 highway, which is a huge benefit due to Honda's great CVT transmission.

Ford offers a base 2.5L Duratec I4 with 175 horsepower and 175 lb/ft of torque for the Fusion S and SE.

Ford offers their 1.5L EcoBoost I4 as an option on SE but standard on the SEL trims with 181 horsepower and 185 lb/ft of torque.

Ford offers a HEV with a 2.0L Duratec Atkinson-cycle I4 as well, with 141 horsepower and 129 lb/ft of torque, and a system total of 188 horsepower and 177 lb/ft of torque.