SecondhandSense: Ford Fusion The motor industry is never short of clever innovations, but while some achieve widespread approval, some never really seem to shine.
The Ford Fusion is a good example of the latter. Developing on the idea that small could be made just a tad bigger and therefore satisfy a wider audience (something Mazda had done very successfully with the original Demio), Ford decided to extend the Fiesta slightly and appeal to those who needed a small car, but one capable of carrying more. What happened with the Fusion, however, was that the Fiesta's rather appealing design was subsumed into a car that was indeed practical but also rather boring.
Even Mazda had been unable to give its mini-MPV much of a profile and the result was that the Demio resembled a very small bread van. The Fusion is not much better, I'm afraid, but the Fusion is more about a clever concept than a supermini of mass appeal - that's the Fiesta's job.
With the Fusion you get the Fiesta platform plus better rear accommodation and a much bigger boot, with a tailgate. It is an ideal little car for pottering around in and it accommodates quite a lot of odds and ends. It has a big glass area so you do get the feeling of space throughout but it is not a warm car inside.
The use of dull plastic is widespread, and makes for an extremely functional interior on the base model. It reminds you of a small Skoda - everything you need but little more.
The car has all the virtues of the Fiesta when it comes to ride, handling and comfort. It drives very well in the city and is not half bad on the open road or motorway either, feeling solid and well-built. The driving position is relatively commanding and better than your average super-mini, but the boot space is possibly its best asset.
You can get the Fusion, which has been around for four years, with a choice of 1.4-litre petrol or diesel engines. Both are efficient and economical, but it's hard to appreciate the benefits of diesel in a small car like this. The noise can be intrusive and if you really need diesel you would be advised to step up to the Fiesta TDCi.
The Fusion has a four-star rating in the EuroNCAP crash tests. It rated as well as the Fiesta with a strong passenger compartment and only minimal deformation in the frontal impact. There was some risk of chest injury from high impact forces from the seat belts, which is probably why it did not make the five-star rating. There were also some hazards to the knees highlighted. There was "reasonable" side protection for the test car which did not have a side airbag. The car has a very good reliability record with no major recalls listed.
You will get a 2002 model with a 1.4-litre petrol engine, 40,000 miles and with electrics, twin airbags, metallic paint and a CD player for €9,000. A diesel model from the same year with 33,000 on the clock costs about €9,200.
FOR: Small car with big car feel. Reliable, solid
AGAINST: Dull interior and anonymous styling