2017 Fusion

[CCalvinN]

OK... first impressions from these pics and the website:

 

I'm neither impressed nor disappointed in the new grille (with the slats). It didn't make it look better nor worse.

 

I'm happy with the new lights. I really thought that LED head/fog lights should have been part of the package from the beginning so it's a welcome addition. The shape is pleasant enough but like the grille, not a major change.

 

The tail lights.... I'm mixed. I think it looks good, but I really liked the red LED surrounds going all the way around. I appreciated when I saw them on the highway and I liked knowing that people behind me were seeing that. I think in the day, the new tail light configuration looks better. The chrome highlight going completely between the two taillights gives the rear end a more cohesive look. But in the dark it misses out on some of that unique feeling.

 

 

The gear selector... NO. Just NO.

 

I never hated the current touchscreen (MyFord Touch) system as much as others. I did recognize that it was slow, but I really liked the way it looked. That being said, I think Sync3 will be an improvement if I can just get over the white background as opposed to the black. The buttons below the touch screen... again I didn't have a problem with the capacitive buttons and loved the sleek look they gave. BUT it looks like they've added physical buttons for the heated/cooled seats, and I'd be grateful for that. If they have a physical button for the heated steering wheel, I'll be a happy camper.

 

I like the interior of the Platinum trim. I opted for the medium ceramic interior just to get away from the all black look and this looks like the next step in that direction banishing all that remaining black.

 

I do not like the Platinum grille. It might grow on me, and I do appreciate having a distinctive feature for the uppermost trim level beyond the badging.

 

I also appreciate having a Platinum trim level. Beyond the unique interior and grille, it looks like there won't be many options to add on to the Platinum trim. Meaning if/when I go shopping for a new one I can simply look for a 2017 Ford Fusion Platinum in the color I want.

 

Overall I stand by my previous thoughts... this is a good evolutionary step. Nothing here makes me want to rush out and get in line for one and nothing here makes me want to wait until the next model change.

[talmy]

I just spotted that the Daytime Running Lights are back to being a fleet only option. So it will be back to battling dealers to get it enabled. :(

[machoman1337]

I just spotted that the Daytime Running Lights are back to being a fleet only option. So it will be back to battling dealers to get it enabled. :(

 

That's ridiculous. In Canada and many other countries including the entire EU, DRLs are required by law. Many other brands like Japanese ones just have the DRLs on by default and let the user turn them off if he/she wants. Isn't it easier for Ford to just do that? It would also simplify the production process as the procedure used for a car bound for export out of the US would then be identical to the procedure used for a car bound for domestic purchasers.

 

I hope it's just an error in the page.

[Hybrider]

I just spotted that the Daytime Running Lights are back to being a fleet only option. So it will be back to battling dealers to get it enabled. :(

 

The DRLs are listed in the same manner in both the 2015 and the 2016 Fusion Order Guides, under the "Fleet Only Options" section of options.

 

I would expect there will still be the option in the Settings menus on the 2017 FFHs to enable/disable the DRLs, just as there is in the 2015 and 2016 FFHs.

[Waldo]

I just spotted that the Daytime Running Lights are back to being a fleet only option. So it will be back to battling dealers to get it enabled. :(

 

No, that's just "non-defeatable" DRLs. The same fleet only option is on the 2015 and 2016.

[Waldo]

 

That's ridiculous. In Canada and many other countries including the entire EU, DRLs are required by law. Many other brands like Japanese ones just have the DRLs on by default and let the user turn them off if he/she wants. Isn't it easier for Ford to just do that? It would also simplify the production process as the procedure used for a car bound for export out of the US would then be identical to the procedure used for a car bound for domestic purchasers.

 

 

In Canada the law says that DRLs cannot be disabled by the user, so the US solution would not be legal for Canada. Either way it's just software programming and there are already hundreds of other variables that are managed in the plant, so it's no big deal either way.

[ElectricFan69]

One of the biggest changes, in my mind, for the 2017 FFH is that they are now offering the 18" wheel/tire options again.

 

One comment I saw about the 2017 FFH said "Meanwhile, the Fusion Hybrid and plug-in hybrid (Energi) receive software updates that Ford believes will deliver more efficiency, though executives wouldn't say if the fuel economy figures will change."

 

I guess this increased efficiency will allow Ford to achieve their current Fusion EPA ratings, or better, once again with the 18" wheels.

Guess it's a 'fashion thing', but I really have a hard time seeing the appeal of oversize wheels - they screw up the ride, make the car burn more fuel and slower, brake worse, are more susceptible to pothole damage. Kind of like hiking boots with a suit. Much like landau bars and vinyl roof covering, or Vogue wide whitewall and wire wheels, it's a look that doesn't do anything good for the way the car functions.

[Waldo]

Guess it's a 'fashion thing', but I really have a hard time seeing the appeal of oversize wheels - they screw up the ride, make the car burn more fuel and slower, brake worse, are more susceptible to pothole damage. Kind of like hiking boots with a suit. Much like landau bars and vinyl roof covering, or Vogue wide whitewall and wire wheels, it's a look that doesn't do anything good for the way the car functions.

 

There are a LOT of things on a car that don't do anything good for the way the car functions. But people don't buy ugly cars.

[Texasota]

 

There are a LOT of things on a car that don't do anything good for the way the car functions. But people don't buy ugly cars.

Well over 1,498,616 Toyota Priuses have been sold since 2000.

[corncobs]

Well over 1,498,616 Toyota Priuses have been sold since 2000.

A lot of people with serious taste / style issues ;)

[Cobra348]

Interesting how opinions differ :)

 

We have to wait and see how the different trims will finally look like and be different from one another but I'm personally not a big fan of the chrome spoke across and into the rear lights.

 

I'm pretty sure the new Sport trim will get a lot of attention and even more so if the gas prices keep falling.

On the Build & Price pages that are up the Vignale lights and surround are on/available on S, SE models until you ad options like Tech Package or Driver Assist and then they change to these funky styled things. On Titanium, Platinum at least they come with these weird-shaped ones.

 

CAVEAT: I don't think the pages are complete as some of the items I have now as optional are nowhere to be found or buried in a package with a lot of stuff I have no desire to have. I'm hoping that will change.

Edited January 17, 2016 by Cobra348

[ElectricFan69]

Well over 1,498,616 Toyota Priuses have been sold since 2000.

Yeah, but Prius looks are driven for a large part by the aero requirements, and the Cx is among the best on the market.

 

Now, if yo're speaking to the central instrument layout, and the dash layout...

[marklally]

Okay, I see that the good looking front end comes on the S thru Titanium trims, so the Fusion is back in the running for my next car.

 

Ford has seemed to fix the cars biggest flaws also, like "my ford touch" and the real estate stealing gear shifter; I could never understand why car manufactures are still wasting space with these useless objects (unless it's a manual transmission of course).

 

My only two hang up's now is (per the configure tab) the fact that they force you to endure leather seats to get adaptive cruise, for me, this is a deal killer.

The only thing that also gives me pause is that the car still does not have auto braking collision avoidance.

 

The adaptive cruise system ( which has been available for four years now) seems to have about 75% of the needed hardware and software to run such a system (i'm guessing a camera will be needed also) it makes me wonder what is taking so long for Ford to come out with this. Ford has already committed to making this standard equipment and Subaru and Mazda have already made it available.

 

Does anyone out there know when Ford will be releasing their own REAL collision braking system?

Edited January 22, 2016 by marklally

[Waldo]

Okay, I see that the good looking front end comes on the S thru Titanium trims, so the Fusion is back in the running for my next car.

 

Ford has seemed to fix the cars biggest flaws also, like "my ford touch" and the real estate stealing gear shifter; I could never understand why car manufactures are still wasting space with these useless objects (unless it's a manual transmission of course).

 

My only two hang up's now is (per the configure tab) the fact that they force you to endure leather seats to get adaptive cruise, for me, this is a deal killer.

The only thing that also gives me pause is that the car still does not have auto breaking collision avoidance.

 

The adaptive cruise system ( which has been available for four years now) seems to have about 75% of the needed hardware and software to run such a system (i'm guessing a camera will be needed also) it makes me wonder what is taking so long for Ford to come out with this. Ford has already committed to making this standard equipment and Subaru and Mazda have already made it available.

 

Does anyone out there know when Ford will be releasing their own REAL collision braking system?

 

It may not have auto breaking, but it does have auto braking. The new Fusion (with the ACC option) will automatically apply the brakes in a collision situation, not sure where you saw otherwise.

 

Some might say that all Fords have had auto breaking for quite some time. :)

[marklally]

I did see that I spelled " braking" correctly once and once incorrectly, my bad.

My current Fusion has adaptive cruise, and yes, I am very aware that it will brake automatically when cruise control in engaged. It's because of this fact that I know that I want a system that will do this even when the cruise control is not engaged.

 

I was once in a situation when the car applied the brakes quite hard before I was even aware that there was a potential collision (I was distracted by other traffic), It was at that point that I contemplated what might have happened, had I not had the adaptive cruise engaged.

This is why I want my next car to have an active auto braking system that is always on.

 

The current collision alert system has only been a distraction to me so far, it has alerted on MANY occasions; only once has it sounded off when there was a potential collision, and I was already aware and in the process of braking; every other time is was detecting a car that was turning out of my path and was not a potential collision at all.

Edited January 22, 2016 by marklally

[Texasota]

The current collision alert system has only been a distraction to me so far, it has alerted on MANY occasions; only once has it sounded off when there was a potential collision, and I was already aware and in the process of braking; every other time is was detecting a car that was turning out of my path and was not a potential collision at all.

Given the "false alarms" that you described are you concerned that a full time automatic braking system would frequently engage the brakes creating a situation worse than the distraction that you now have?

[marklally]

No, I'm not concerned. The system that I am talking about would require an additional sensor to compliment the radar that the adaptive cruise uses ( a camera most likely). The system would also require a great deal of code, but I'm confident that Ford could develop a good system, considering how well the adaptive cruise works using just the radar.

[machoman1337]

they force you to endure leather seats to get adaptive cruise, for me, this is a deal killer.

 

IIRC, on the SE model you can select "ecocloth" seats in the luxury package instead of leather, and still get all the tech minus the premium stereo (aka you can get adaptive cruise).

 

If that still holds true for 2017 you're in luck.

[Waldo]

No, I'm not concerned. The system that I am talking about would require an additional sensor to compliment the radar that the adaptive cruise uses ( a camera most likely). The system would also require a great deal of code, but I'm confident that Ford could develop a good system, considering how well the adaptive cruise works using just the radar.

 

Those systems are still a few years out, you can't really count on a camera because there are so many road/environmental variations out there. The current lane keep system uses a camera and if you've used that, you know that it's really only fully working about 50% of the time. That's why all the autonomous driving development out there is relying in lidar technology.