Ford is no stranger to great design, having been in the automotive industry since the very beginning. Ford cars have been prolific, and even today, over a hundred years later, Ford continues to release vehicles that break the mold and stand out from the pack. One of those models is the Ford Fusion. The Ford Fusion was introduced to the Ford family lineup, three years after Ford’s centennial anniversary in 2006. It entered the market as a four-door, five-passenger, midsize sedan, that adopted a hybrid drivetrain to provide a substantial boost to fuel economy. Since then, the Ford Fusion has continued to be a heavy hitter, and now as we look forward to the 2020 model, we’re excited to reflect on how Ford has advanced its flagship sedan from last year’s iteration. So, in this blog post, we’ll pit these two sedans head to head, the 2020 Ford Fusion vs 2019 Ford Fusion, to see just how Ford continues to push the envelope and advance on an already incredible design.
The Same Face and Bones
There is an old adage, ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.’ This statement couldn’t be truer of the 2019 and 2020 Ford Fusion. While arguably the 2020 Ford Fusion is certainly a step up from last year’s model, exterior stylings stick to previous designs. The mid-sized sedan is all angular, rounded edges, with narrow slit headlights, a rounded front grille, and a ‘hug the pavement’ low profile. This consistent styling is hardly a problem for us, nor will it likely be for Ford Fusion fans. Sometimes, taking too many risky changes can alienate potential drivers, and as other automakers take risky, often poor choices in terms of design, it’s nice to see the Ford Fusion stick to what works.
Speaking of first glances, we’d be remised if we didn’t talk trim options and pricing. The 2020 Ford Fusion gets rid of the 325 horsepower, all-wheel-drive, twin-turbo V6 trim, which for some drivers may be pretty disappointing. The idea of a high-performance sedan at a reasonable price was quite refreshing, especially as the industry decides to focus on compact SUVs and underpowered fuel-efficient sedans. That said, the 2020 Ford Fusion still offers the S, SE, SEL, and Titanium trims, as well as the option of a hybrid or plug-in hybrid option. The 2020 Ford Fusion starts at $23,170 MSRP a tick up from the 2019 model, which went for $22,840 MSRP. While this is a jump in pricing, it’s a change that hardly affects the value of the vehicle.
The Machinery Beneath the Hood
While Ford abandoned the twin-turbo V6 engine option in their 2020 Ford Fusion, this sleek mid-sized sedan still offers up a considerable amount of power and performance on the road. Base models of the 2020 Ford Fusion get a 2.5-liter engine that puts out 175 horsepower for drivers. This is the same base engine drivers found in the 2019 model, which is not so bad all things considered. Even though Ford got rid of the twin-turbo V6 option, the Titanium trim still offers a respectable amount of engine power, with its 245 horsepower 2.0-liter turbo-4 engine, with the option of an all-wheel-drivetrain.
Speaking of drivetrains, the top-tier Titanium trim on the 2020 Ford Fusion can be purchased with the Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid drivetrain. This configuration includes a 9.0-kWh battery that gives drivers 25 miles worth of electric-only range. Plug that battery into an outlet at your home, and it’ll take you about seven hours to reach full capacity. This hybrid build is similar in the 2019 model, although the 2019 model, which continues the theme of consistency for Ford’s flagship sedan.
Fuel economy for both models remains pretty consistent in base models, with 25 mpg combined for both the 2019 and 2020 Ford Fusion S. Invest in the hybrid option and you’ll get to enjoy 41 mpg combined.
On the subject of handling, we’re excited to see that in the 2020 Ford Fusion, the finicky continuously variable automatic transmission, or CVT was thrown out the window. Across all trim options, you’ll find a slick and responsive 6-speed automatic transmission, which is less likely to hesitate when you throw your foot onto the accelerator.
While performance is a central part of what makes the Ford Fusion so remarkable, it isn’t the only thing that sets this mid-sized sedan at the front of the pack.
Interior Dressings and Tech
The 2020 and 2019 Ford Fusion are similar inside and out, with both sedans measuring in at 192 inches long. Lift that rear hatch, and you’ll find about 16 cubic feet of cargo space. Moving to the rear seats, and passengers will enjoy 37.8 inches of headroom and 38.3 inches of legroom for both models. Now, with the Ford Fusion, drivers shouldn’t expect a whole lot in terms of luxury for either 2020 or 2019 models. This is an affordable, sometimes hybrid, sedan that isn’t designed for flair and pizazz. That said, in the 2020 Ford Fusion, you can step up to real leather in the Titanium trim, which is a definite plus for some drivers.
In terms of infotainment and accessibility tech, both the 2019 and 2020 base models start small. In the 2019 and 2020 Ford Fusion S, the most advanced piece of tech you’ll find onboard is a 4.2-inch infotainment screen; did we mention that the car is affordable? Fortunately, things become a little more substantial when you move up the trim options. Both models offer a more sizeable 8.0-inch infotainment system that’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible, as well as an audio system designed by Sony, a power moonroof, and heated seats.
In terms of safety, the 2019 model made some serious advances adding a slew of active safety features that made the 2019 Ford Fusion a valuable buy. Features like automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, active lane control, automatic high-beam headlights, and blind-spot monitors, standard across all models. Although adaptive cruise control was only available on higher trim options, the 2020 Ford Fusion falls in line with its predecessor, offering the same standard layout, with the option for more if you’re willing to spend the cash.
Is It Worth the Upgrade?
There is a lot drivers have come to expect out of a mid-sized sedan nowadays. Active safety features, plenty of interior comforts, incredible performance, and the option of a hybrid drivetrain, it’s understandable why some automakers struggle to live up to driver expectations. While the Ford Fusion falls short in some areas, it truly makes the mark in plenty of others. Although should you invest in something like the 2020 Ford Fusion, or should you save your money and purchase a 2019 model? While the 2020 Ford Fusion offers more of the same, if you’re not looking to take advantage of a twin-turbo six-cylinder engine, we’d suggest biting the bullet and going for the 2020 model. While plenty of the features are the same, some of the auto tech and software are going to be more refined on the 2020 Ford Fusion, and with auto tech being a crucial aspect of cars nowadays, it is never a bad idea to invest in the latest and greatest model. Although, you shouldn’t just take our word for it. We urge all of our readers to head on down to their local Ford dealership to sit behind the wheel of each model to see for themselves, which is the superior choice.
