DESCRIPTION

Pros:

• Roomy interior
• Smooth ride and smart handling
• Available with all-wheel drive
• Impressive looking interior
• Long list of standard features and high-tech options

Cons:

• Stereo and climate controls can be a distraction
• Mediocre power and fuel economy
• Hybrid model costs extra
• Three-bar grille not very attractive

Ruling: The well-rounded 2011 Ford Fusion is outstanding for a midsize family sedan. Ranked 1 out of 19 in the affordable midsize car category by U.S. News Auto Rankings, the Ford Fusion boasts an upscale looking interior, powerful engine options, available all-wheel drive, and a long list of standard and optional features.

The 2011 Fusion 2.5-liter I-4 engine offers an EPA-estimated 34 mpg highway with 175 horsepower and 172 ft.-lb. of torque. Also available is the proven Duratec® 30 3.0-liter V-6 engine producing 240 horsepower and 222 ft.-lb. of torque, along with flex-fuel capability. Using E85 ethanol, the 3.0-liter V-6 can produce up to 250 horsepower.

For maximum performance, the Fusion Sport features a 3.5-liter V-6 that has 263 horsepower and 249 ft.-lb. of torque delivered with regular unleaded fuel.

Front-wheel drive and on-demand all-wheel drive are available on Fusion models with a 3.0-liter V-6 engine and with the Fusion Sport 3.5-liter engine. Both V-6 engines come standard with SelectShift for individual gear control.

Available with the 2011 Fusion are the SYNC and MyKey systems. SYNC provides turn-by-turn directions without the need for an expensive navigation screen, offers vehicle health updates and lets drivers control smart phone apps and mp3 players through voice commands. MyKey keeps teen drivers safe by limiting their top speed to 80 mph, limiting radio volume to 45 percent, chiming continuously when seat belts aren’t buckled and providing low-fuel warnings. MyKey is standard on the 2011 Ford Fusion.