Better interior?

[macgyver]

I'm considering buying the fusion but have to say Im less than impressed with the interior design. Even the top end model with leather is sort of blah. I've looked at the Camry and Accord which have nicer interior designs ( in my opinion), but would prefer to buy a Ford Fusion with the hybrid option. I was a little disappointed. I have to admit I have never been a fan of the interiors on American cars. Japanese and European cars seem to do a much better job, but Ford did a great job designing the inside of the new Taurus. The interior of this car seems to have been nothing more than an afterthought. This may seem kind of trivial, but are there any after market add ons for the interior to make it look nicer?

Edited January 28, 2010 by macgyver

[DJE]

I love the Ford interiors. Beat the heck out of GM and Chrysler. I did do this though.

Chromed A/C slats. (Sorry the picture sucks, it really looks better than this)

Edited January 29, 2010 by Desert Fusion

[macgyver]

I love the Ford interiors. Beat the heck out of GM and Chrysler. I did do this though.

Chromed A/C slats. (Sorry the picture sucks, it really looks better than this)

 

I agree that GM and Chrysler aren't any better ( GM especially), and like i said I love the new Taurus initerior, but among mid sized sedans I think the Camry and Accord are more stylish. There is something too "basic" and utilitarian about the fusion interior. I realize this isn't a luxury car, but its foreign competitors seem to have more "sculpted" dashes and offer some interior options on their cars that make the interiors look a little classier. I guess its just a matter of taste, but Id like to have the option of woodgrain accents instead of the carbon fiber accents they offer currently. Is that something that's available as an after market option that can be swapped out ?

Edited January 29, 2010 by macgyver

[DJE]

I have the stock ebony panels. I like them. I did look at dash kits but, I'll stay with what I have. I would stay away from those stick on dash kits. I was thinking about swapping out some of my camel pieces for black. Like maybe the window button panels or maybe the console storage cover or other peices to get a real two tone look. I have ordered a black high mounted tail light fixture because from the back outside, the camel looks weird where the tint is cut out for the brake light and I think it will look okay on the inside since the dash is black.

Edited January 29, 2010 by Desert Fusion

[macgyver]

I have the stock ebony panels. I like them. I did look at dash kits but, I'll stay with what I have. I would stay away from those stick on dash kits. I was thinking about swapping out some of my camel pieces for black. Like maybe the window button panels or maybe the console storage cover or other peices to get a real two tone look. I have ordered a black high mounted tail light fixture because from the back outside, the camel looks weird where the tint is cut out for the brake light and I think it will look okay on the inside since the dash is black.

 

I took a look at the Milan over the weekend and I think I like the interior a little better. Maybe its because they had something other than the black interior to look at. I hate black interiors. They always look a bit plasticky and cheesy to me..Obviously just my opinion, but then I'm the one who'll be sitting in this thing every day for the next few years. The Milan I saw had the lighter two tone interior ( grey and black), and also had different inserts instead of those carbon fiber things ( Which look fine in a sporty car but not so much in a family sedan), but maybe the camel interior on the Fusion would have had something other than carbon fiber too. I don't know because the Ford salesman wasn't sure, and you can't tell from the website.

 

I still wish Ford had done something more interesting inside with this car like they did with the Taurus..maybe a mini Taurus.. something a bit more luxurious, but it is what it is.

 

There's always the new restyled 2011 Hyundai Sonata to look at in a few months. That looks pretty interesting and is going to be available as a hybrid also. Probably a few thousand cheaper as well.

Edited February 1, 2010 by macgyver

[FtLewis2002]

Catskinz sells real leather seats in glove leather that are 2 or 3 tone...Just a thought.

 

Mercury is to Ford, what GMC is to Chevy Trucks. Mechanically, it's a Fusion wrapped in different skin.

[acdii]

I had a Camry, the interior was cheap and the radio cluster was blinding in fog. I much prefer the Ford over the others, but then again I like the black interior of the Sport, different seats all around.

[macgyver]

Thanks for the suggestions folks but I think I'm going to hold off on my purchase for now. Seems even in the current market no one is willing to make any kind of a deal with customers for a hybrid which only makes the premium for owning a hybrid even higher compared to the deals available on non-hybrid vehicles. Add to that the fact that Mercury forces you to purchase the 300A package if you want the hybrid ( pushing the true base price well over $31,000 since you cant get the hybrid without those extras) and Ford requires you to purchase that package if you want to get leather, and this vehicle is not such a bargain. I hate when they do stuff like that. In order to get a Milan hybrid you have to buy a package that includes a moonroof, backup camera and 8 speaker sony sound system for $3700 whether you want it or not.

 

Since i can afford to wait 6-12 months befire Im forced to buy a vehicle I think I'm going to wait and see if any dealer incentives pop up or new cars come in the market. Thanks again.

[acdii]

I don't hold that true too much. I did have a dealer come back( a little too late, I already had the Sport) with a quote on a Fusion Hybrid with leather, but without the rest of the goodies, and kept it right at $29K. According to them they can order a car built without packages. They took the base unit and just added leather to it. Now I don't know if it was Ford Leather, if may have been catskinz installed aftermarket. There is an option for you. If you like the base model, and want leather, you can have aftermarket leather installed. You can get better quality covers that way too. They can even install seat heater/coolers in them. I had considered doing this to the Camry, but decided the car was just not worth putting any extra into it.

[macgyver]

I don't hold that true too much. I did have a dealer come back( a little too late, I already had the Sport) with a quote on a Fusion Hybrid with leather, but without the rest of the goodies, and kept it right at $29K. According to them they can order a car built without packages. They took the base unit and just added leather to it. Now I don't know if it was Ford Leather, if may have been catskinz installed aftermarket. There is an option for you. If you like the base model, and want leather, you can have aftermarket leather installed. You can get better quality covers that way too. They can even install seat heater/coolers in them. I had considered doing this to the Camry, but decided the car was just not worth putting any extra into it.

 

I guess thats an option. I'll look into it and see if the dealer or someone else does after market leather around here. The salesman at the Mercury place showed me on the computer that there is no way to order the Milan without the package even when you order directly from the factory. The Fusion does give you the different options of course except when you try to order leather it sticks you with those other 'options' and there is no way out unless, as you said, you order the base model and get after market leather. Thanks for the suggestion. I'll research it.

[akirby]

I guess thats an option. I'll look into it and see if the dealer or someone else does after market leather around here. The salesman at the Mercury place showed me on the computer that there is no way to order the Milan without the package even when you order directly from the factory. The Fusion does give you the different options of course except when you try to order leather it sticks you with those other 'options' and there is no way out unless, as you said, you order the base model and get after market leather. Thanks for the suggestion. I'll research it.

 

Almost all dealers have someone that does aftermarket leather seats. If yours doesn't just call around to some of the other ones.

[acdii]

Here is an option for leather. Katskinz You can customer make interiors from them and have an installer put them in your car. I had considered it for the Camry until the 0% came out on the Ford. They have all the pieces needed to trim out the car the same as if it came from the factory, only with higher quality leather, including the door panels.

[danager]

Here is an option for leather. Katskinz You can customer make interiors from them and have an installer put them in your car. I had considered it for the Camry until the 0% came out on the Ford. They have all the pieces needed to trim out the car the same as if it came from the factory, only with higher quality leather, including the door panels.

I just got a quote from the local installer that contacted me after I registered on Katzkin's website. There are so many options, colour, piping, stitching, inserts, heated... The price started at $2200.00 installed, and it was mentioned that the top end would be $2800.00. I have installed heated seats a number of times and am comfortable with the installation of a vehicle's upholstery - so I will wait for the leather to be available for me to install. Yes, it is labour intensive and requires a few tools to reduce the stress level, something I am willing to do.

[mettech]

 

Any better?

 

Got this from BON and Borg is the one to thank for the picture.

[acdii]

The leather looks nice, but not too crazy about the color they chose, kind of clashes with the rest of the interior. Would look much better against solid black for sure.

[FtLewis2002]

That's right, Katskinz has a K and not a C...I used them on an older F150 I used to have. Good stuff.

[macgyver]

The leather looks nice, but not too crazy about the color they chose, kind of clashes with the rest of the interior. Would look much better against solid black for sure.

 

I agree the color isn't the best combination. Unfortunately if you want a light color leather interior you have limited options since the Hybrid is only available with two interior color options and both of them have black panels.

[acdii]

I agree the color isn't the best combination. Unfortunately if you want a light color leather interior you have limited options since the Hybrid is only available with two interior color options and both of them have black panels.

 

I always liked the light gray, or prairie tan interiors in the Fords, they are pretty much color neutral as they look good no matter what color they are up against. I just fixed and repainted a 1995 Grand Marquis in Dark Amethyst, since the interior was light gray, it blended quite well.

 

Check her out here.