This Ford Fusion blasts away from the pack

A menu of Mark Glover’s AutoGlo reviews of the latest motor vehicle models also can be seen on The Sacramento Bee’s website at www.sacbee.com/news/business/article4005306.html

This review first appeared in the June 2017 edition of the Northern & Central California Cruisin’ News published out of Folsom, California – mg

Sacramento, California – The Ford Fusion is a perfect example of popular practicality.

Just the right size.  Room for five.  Attractive, but not over-the-top styling.  Just the right amount of power.

About that last part: My recent week in the 2017 Ford Fusion V6 Sport had way more power than any previous Fusion under my control.  The tester got my heart racing with a 2.7-liter, twin-turbo V-6 under the hood, making an advertised 325 horsepower and 380 foot-pounds of torque.

Think of a wiry, 5-foot-8 shortstop launching a 550-foot home run.  Not what you expect, right?

Yes, well, that did not stop me from putting this muscular Fusion through its paces, which amounted to blowing away virtually everything else on the road.  Much fun?  You bet.

And really, that’s the selling point for this particular Fusion.

Ford says of its turbo-boosted creation: “Power like this vanquishes on-ramp anxiety.”

Couldn’t have said it better myself.

Oh, all-wheel-drive is standard on this V6 Sport, which translates to nimble handling even as it’s running up through the gears.

Fuel mileage is a not-so-good 17 miles per gallon in the city and 26 mpg on the highway.

For all its aggressive characteristics, my ride was very civilized inside.  Downright luxurious in some ways.

Standard interior features included a 10-way power driver’s seat with lumbar support, aluminum sport pedals and leather appointments.  Interior comfort was excellent, as was the 360-degree view from the cockpit seat.

The V6 Sport also includes steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, which some might opt to use over the rotary gear shift dial.  Let’s face it, you get the peak sport sedan experience using the paddles versus turning a dial like you’re searching for a certain station on an old-school radio.

Ford explains that the rotary gear shift dial “dramatically improves interior ergonomics, allowing for better placement of cupholders, a longer armrest and easier access to storage bins.”

Who knew?

Ford did not go wild on the exterior look.  The Fusion V6 Sport looks like a Fusion.  You do get quad-tip dual exhausts and a spoiler, adding just the right sporty touches.

You also get some functional touches you might not expect in this segment.  That includes hill-start assist, a remote-start system and heated front seats.

For all this, the starting price is pretty reasonable at $33,475, plus $875 in destination/delivery charges.

Ford boasts that this fast-moving Fusion could tempt owners of German sport sedans to consider the more affordable blue oval version.

Well, that might be stretching things a bit.  But if you like high horsepower, four doors and saving $20,000 or so in the deal, this Fusion V6 Sport sedan should be on your test-drive list.