Does Ford Still Make a Sedan?
Ford’s been rolling out updates to much of its lineup. Even as the Mustang GT500 was winning over reviewers, a new Mustang was being leaked. There’s also the new Mustang Mach E electric crossover, a new Escape and Edge, and the upcoming ‘baby Bronco’, aka ‘Maverick.’ Even the GT supercar got a recent update. But there’s been no news about any Ford sedan updates. Are any even left?
Current Ford sedan lineup
As of this writing, Ford only makes one sedan, the Fusion. The Ford sedan is available in a variety of trims, from the base S trim to the plug-in hybrid Titanium model. The S starts at just over $23k, while the PHEV Titanium’s starting price is $35,000.
The non-PHEV Fusions can be fitted with one of three four-cylinders. The base is a 2.5-liter that makes 175 hp and 175 lb-ft. There are also two turbocharged four-cylinder engines, a 1.5-liter, and a 2.0-liter. The former makes 181 hp and 185 lb-ft, while the latter makes 245 hp and 275 lb-ft. Each of these is paired with the 6-speed automatic. The turbocharged engines also have auto stop-start and can be fitted with either front-wheel or all-wheel drive. The 2.5-liter S is FWD only.
The hybrid Ford sedans, meanwhile, get the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine combined with an electric motor and CVT transmission to deliver 188 hp and 129 lb-ft. The hybrid models are FWD only, as well.
In addition to the smorgasbord of powertrain options, the Fusion also comes offers a few standard safety features, such as automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assist. Adaptive cruise control is optional, though.
Ford Fusion Sport
However, despite all this, Motor Trend and Car and Driver found the Ford sedan lacking compared to the competition, such as the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. MT notes other sedans offer better fuel efficiency. Car and Driver also reports that, while the Fusion has a comfortable ride and spacious cabin, other sedans offer better materials and more refinement. And Consumer Reports found the Fusion’s reliability to be only average and scored it below the Camry and Accord.
The only Fusion model that did garner significant praise was the Sport. It came with a 2.7-liter twin-turbocharged V6 making 327 hp and 388 lb-ft. With the standard AWD, it accelerated to 60 in 5.1 seconds in Car and Driver’s testing. That’s faster than any Accord and even quicker than an EcoBoost Mustang.
Sadly, the Fusion Sport is not available for the 2020 model year. And soon, no Ford sedan will be, at all.
Ford sedans won’t be around for long
Ford used to offer more sedans than just the Fusion. There was the Taurus, the Focus, and even Fiesta sedans. They even had performance variants, such as the Taurus SHO. The Focus ST and Fiesta ST, although well-reviewed, were only hatchbacks.
However, in an attempt to ‘refocus budgets’, Ford canceled all of its sedans products. The Taurus and Focus were the first to go. The Fiesta still appears on the Ford US website, but it isn’t getting a 2020 model. The Fusion sedan is slated to be discontinued in 2021.
So, if you want a Ford sedan, better act fast.
Could they come back?
To be fair, the Fusion nameplate may stick around. Ford is rumored to be working on a lifted Fusion station wagon to challenge the Subaru Outback. As of this writing, though, only a few development mules have been spotted.
In addition, Ford is only canceling sedan sales in the US. The Fiesta, Focus, and Fusion will continue being sold elsewhere, albeit under potentially different names.
At the moment, Ford is still enjoying strong truck and SUV sales in the US. But that may not last for much longer. Despite the increased focus on truck and SUV development, Ford is still having financial troubles. And over-reliance on such large vehicles could spell disaster if fuel prices sky-rocket. Anyone else remember the mid-2000s?
Follow more updates from MotorBiscuit on our Facebook page.
