Review

Ford Fusion: A Smart Next Car Choice?

  • Updated December 24, 2025
  • Clara Lang
  • 29 comments

My 2005 PT Cruiser has been experiencing multiple issues lately, including significant internal rust and two oil leaks, among other persistent problems over the past few months. It is currently in the shop for repairs. In the meantime, I have borrowed my late grandfather’s Fusion for the week and have found it enjoyable so far, though I have only used it for one evening. If the situation with my current vehicle worsens, I am considering purchasing a Fusion. I would appreciate any recommendations or insights about this model, including things to be aware of before making a decision.

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29 Comments

  1. I totally get the feeling of falling for a borrowed car—I drove my cousin’s Fusion for a weekend trip once and was surprised by how comfortable and quiet it was on the highway. Since you mentioned your PT Cruiser’s oil leaks and rust, moving to something newer like a Fusion could save you a lot of shop visits. I’d just recommend checking the model year’s reliability ratings, as some earlier Fusions had transmission quirks. What year is your grandfather’s Fusion, and how’s the fuel economy been for you?

    1. Thanks for sharing your own positive Fusion experience—that highway comfort really is a standout feature. Your grandfather’s model year matters a lot; generally, 2013 and newer Fusions improved on earlier transmission feedback, and you can check specific reliability ratings for that year on sites like Consumer Reports. I’d be curious to hear what you think of the fuel economy after your week with it, so feel free to share an update once you’ve driven it more.

  2. I totally get the feeling of driving a borrowed car and realizing it might be a better fit—I had a similar experience with a Fusion a few years back when my old Focus was acting up. You mentioned the internal rust on your PT Cruiser, which is a major red flag; I found the Fusion’s cabin to be surprisingly solid and quiet on the highway. If you’re seriously considering one, I’d recommend paying close attention to the transmission shifts on a test drive, as some model years can be a bit hesitant. What specific year of the Fusion are you looking at?

    1. Thanks for sharing your own Fusion experience—it’s great to hear you also noticed its solid, quiet ride. Since you asked about model years, I’d suggest focusing on 2013 and newer for the most reliable transmissions, and definitely take a thorough test drive to feel the shifts yourself. Let me know what year you end up checking out, and I can share more specifics.

  3. I totally get the feeling of driving a borrowed car and realizing it might be a better fit—I had a similar experience with a Fusion a few years back. You mentioned the internal rust and oil leaks on your PT Cruiser, which sounds like a real headache; I switched from an older car with constant issues to something more reliable and never looked back. What year is your grandfather’s Fusion, and are you leaning towards a newer model or a similar used one?

    1. Thanks for sharing your own positive switch to a Fusion—it’s reassuring to hear from someone who made a similar move from constant repairs to reliable driving. Since you asked, the model year makes a big difference; for example, the 2013-2020 Fusions are generally praised for comfort and reliability, but I’d recommend checking specific model-year reviews for common issues like transmission concerns in some earlier automatics. Let me know what year you’re considering, and I can point you to some detailed owner forums for that generation—I’d love to hear what you decide.

  4. I have a 2016 Fusion SE with the 2.0 engine and 183,000 miles, and it’s still running strong. It’s very fun to drive, and I would definitely recommend one.

  5. Yes, depending on the engine type, they are very reliable. I owned a 2010 Fusion from 2013 until September and then upgraded to a 2020 Ford Fusion Titanium. I highly recommend them. The main drawback is that low-mileage models are hard to find, so you may end up with a higher-mileage vehicle. I experienced this myself while shopping for my 2020 Fusion.

    Avoid the 1.5L engine, as my research shows it has the highest breakdown rate. Look for a 2.0L or larger engine instead.

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