2006 Ford Fusion Se Engine 23 L 4 Reviews

2006 Ford Fusion

S
$17,145
SE
$17,900
SEL
$18,985

Wondering which trim is right for you?

Our 2006 Ford Fusion trim comparison will aid you lot decide.

two.iii-liter 4-cylinder
three.0-liter Five-vi
Five-speed manual or automatic (4-cyl.)
Six-speed automatic (V-6)
Optional side-touch and side-mantle airbags
Rigid structure

2006 Ford Fusion review: Our good'south take

The verdict:

Versus the competiton:

The Ford Fusion arguably is Ford Motor Co.'southward virtually of import vehicle introduction in a decade — maybe more than. The recently re-engineered and restyled F-150, despite tough competition from a growing number of competitors, had never lost its place as the best-selling pickup truck, 26 years running.

Conversely, the Ford Taurus midsize sedan, for which 2006 is the terminal yr, was allowed to wither as Ford concentrated on hot, high-profit calorie-free-truck models. The Toyota Camry and Honda Accord took over and have been trading off the best-seller title for about 12 years. Now, Ford'due south cash cows are in problem because consumers can't afford the feed. Americans are abandoning truck-based sport utility vehicles for more efficient cars and car-based vehicles. The company can't afford a flop.

Ford Motor has learned how to share platforms and components amidst its brands without making the whole vehicles almost identical. The Fusion is based on Ford subsidiary Mazda'southward critically acclaimed Mazda6 sedan, only with a unlike look. Its styling comes from the Ford 427 concept auto from the 2003 auto-bear witness flavour. I don't care for either, only I've met many folks who similar the expect. This can but exist good for Ford. Polarization typically bodes well for a model's sales potential. Onlookers were surprised to find out it's a Ford.

Aside from having significantly dissimilar styling, the Fusion is a bit larger, outside and within, as shown:


	Ford Fusion	Mazda Mazda6
Length (in.)	190.2	186.8
Width (in.)	72.two	70.1
Height (in.)	57.2	56.seven
Wheelbase (in.)	107.iv	105.3
Front Track (in.)	61.6	threescore.six
Rear Track (in.)	61.three	lx.6
Turning Diameter (4-cyl./V-6, ft.)	38.8/40.0	38.8/38.8
Front Headroom (in.)	38.7	38.vii
Front Legroom (in.)	42.3	42.3
Front Hip Room (in.)	54.0	54.seven
Front Shoulder Room (in.)	57.4	55.ix
Rear Headroom (in.)	37.8	37.1
Rear Legroom (in.)	37.0	36.five
Rear Hip Room (in.)	53.four	54.i
Rear Shoulder Room (in.)	56.five	55.two
Passenger Volume (cu. ft.)	100.0	96.i
Trunk Volume (cu. ft.)	15.8	xv.2
Manufacturer data

The Ford Fusion too has softer leap and shock-absorber rates, leaving the zoom-zoom image to Mazda. The ride quality is past no means soft, though. It's in line with the imports — firmer than the Camry but not equally taut every bit the Accord, which I observe too harsh. I drove the Fusion in Southern California, where curves and hills are plenty (as are traffic jams that would plough Gandhi to road rage). Without a test track, the all-time I could tell is that the car handles better than it needs to for its probable purpose equally a family motorcar.

At that place's no doubtfulness the Ford Fusion gives up some of the Mazda6'south revered handling for a more comfortable ride. The Fusion's centre of gravity feels higher in turns, but trunk roll is reasonably well controlled. The steering is precise and has less power steering assist than most American motorcar steering wheels. Some will capeesh this; others won't.

The longer wheelbase comes at a price: The Ford Fusion's turning diameter is a broad 38.8 – 40.0 feet (depending on trim level) versus the Hyundai Sonata's 35.viii feet, the Camry's 34.8 – 36.six feet and the Accord'southward 36.2 anxiety.

All my impressions are for the Fusion SEL with the optional 3.0-liter Five-six. I haven't driven the standard 2.3-liter four-cylinder, mainly because Ford didn't make it available at the model'southward introduction. I've been doing this job long enough to suspect that this is no coincidence. (If automakers think they really have something, they make it available.) I found the Mazda6 four-cylinder automatic to be underwhelming, so I'd wait a like result from this automobile. Yous never know, though, so you should cheque ane out. I hold out hope for the standard manual transmission over the five-speed automated. The 2.3-liter is a very adept engine.

The drivetrain I did feel is a loftier point of the machine. Information technology comprises Ford's Duratec V-6 and a six-speed-automated manual from Japanese supplier Aisin. (Though Ford has been working with Full general Motors on a six-speed automatic for front-wheel-bulldoze applications, it's still in development.) The broad range of gear ratios makes for spirited acceleration without sacrificing efficient loftier-speed cruising. Near important, it reacts quickly and without undue kickdown lag. (For no skillful reason I've ever heard, many automated transmissions seem to add together lag along with each gear.)

The EPA estimates the Ford Fusion's fuel economy at 23/31 mpg urban center/highway with the manual transmission (automatic figure not yet listed) and 21/29 for the V-6. The four-cylinder falls a few mpg backside the form leaders, merely the V-six is in the aforementioned ballpark. Unfortunately, a hybrid drivetrain is two years abroad.

The Ford Fusion has a rigid, solid feel and is notably less noisy than many cars in this class. None of this could be said nearly the Taurus. The interior is conservative just much college in materials quality than Fords of just a few years ago. The dashboard and door panels are low-gloss and soft to the touch. I beloved the idea of the lacquered piano-black trim in place of wood (and anything's better than more fake metal), but something nearly the execution here doesn't work for me. Peradventure it's merely because the test vehicle was early-production.

As the table above illustrates, the Fusion'due south interior dimensions are a bit greater than those of the Mazda6. By clicking on Side-by-Side Comparing at the top of this page, you tin see how the Fusion stacks up against other competitors. It's closer to the Camry and Accord, dimensionally, but it falls behind the 2006 Sonata, at present technically a total-size car. All of the figures are close enough that you'll have to try each car on for size. The measurements are two-dimensional and exercise a poor chore of defining iii-dimensional infinite.

Ford says it has priced the Fusion to compete with the high-value Sonata, simply if you lot compare the two, you'll find that a similarly priced Fusion has fewer features, counting some important and high-cost items such as ABS, side-bear upon airbags and an electronic stability system. Compared to the Camry and Accord, the Fusion is far more competitive bully deal, dollar for dollar, in size, features and warranty. The Fusion offers a V-6 at the price of the Japanese models' 4-cylinders. On the other hand, the latter do offering stability systems, which the Fusion won't even take for another year. Next yr, the Fusion is likewise intended to become all-cycle drive, which the other models mentioned don't currently offer.

Without question, the Ford Fusion is the most competitive midsize trunk-type sedan that any domestic automaker has rolled out in more than a decade. Ford simply needs Americans — who know what the names Camry and Accord stand for afterwards more than than 20 years — to find out what a Fusion is.

Consumer reviews

92% of drivers recommend this motorcar

Rating breakdown (out of five):

Condolement iv.5
Interior pattern 4.3
Performance 4.ii
Value for the money 4.v
Outside styling 4.4
Reliability 4.5

Most recent consumer reviews

Splendid LOCAL DRIVE Car

Apr 14, 2021

Past Markog1629 from ROCHELLE PARK, NEW JERSEY

Owns this car

I used the machine driving locally ( < five miles) around neighborhood towns. I did use on highways, only truthfully, not that much. I would take my 2018 Jeep on any highway trips or anything over 25 miles one mode . Information technology'due south a keen piddling knock around town car..

Testify total review

Most Reliable Car I've Ever Endemic

January 3, 2021

By NeenahCarforSale from Neenah, WI

Owns this car

This car has e'er met all my needs. Bully driver in all types of weather. You won't be disappointed with a Ford Fusion. Perfect for a new or younger driver.

Show full review

Howdy i'm selling my 06 ford fusion SE

October xx, 2020

By Mai Moua from Maricopa

Test drove this car

vehicle drove very well was clean and Ac blew cold like new tires cloth seats ability windows, ability seats and locks has recent oil change and has laissez passer emissions

Show full review

See all 68 consumer reviews

New automobile programme benefits

Bumper-to-bumper: 36 months/36,000 miles
Corrosion: 60 months/unlimited altitude
Powertrain: 36 months/36,000 miles
Roadside aid: 36 months/36,000 miles

Certified Pre-Owned program benefits

Maximum age/mileage: Gold Certified: Ford models up to 6 years one-time with less than 80,000 miles
Basic warranty terms: 12-Calendar month/12,000-Mile (whichever comes showtime) Comprehensive Limited Warranty Blue Certified: xc-Day/4,000-Mile (whichever comes first) Comprehensive Limited Warranty Disclaimer: See your dealer for warranty coverage details.
Powertrain: seven-Year/100,000-Mile (whichever comes commencement) Powertrain Limited Warranty Blue Certified: Available Disclaimer: See your dealer for warranty coverage details.
Dealer certification required: Certified 172-point inspection
Roadside assistance: Yeah

View all cpo plan details