U.S. News Lauds Ford Fusion and Fusion Hybrid for Their Family Friendliness

On the outside, the redesigned 2013 Ford Fusion is one of the most aggressively styled midsize sedans on the market, but U.S. News & World Report has found the vehicle to also be the most family-friendly option on the inside. In its 2013 Best Cars for Families awards, the publication named the Fusion its top choice in the Midsize Cars segment, while the Fusion Hybrid took top honors in the Hybrid Cars category.

Recognizing the vehicles in each segment that offer the best combination of space, quality and family-friendly features, the U.S. News 2013 Best Cars for Families awards were determined by composite scores that reflect how models rated in each of those three categories. The Fusion and Fusion Hybrid were honored in part for their spacious rear passenger space for kids, while the hybrid model was praised further for the extra money it can save parents, thanks to its ratings of 47 mpg in the city, on the highway and in combined driving.

"A family car needs to be safe, spacious and cost-effective, and the new Fusion models certainly deliver on those things, but they are also stylish and fun to drive," said John Melkonian, general manager of Stoneham Ford, a Greater Boston Ford dealer. "Whether it's one of the Fusion's two EcoBoost engines, which are responsive yet fuel efficient, or its bold new hexagonal grille, the car is designed to make parents feel like they would have made the same purchase even if they didn't have kids."

While style and performance are added bonuses, safety is still top of mind for parents, and the 2013 Ford Fusion has received a five-star Overall Vehicle Score in the New Car Assessment Program from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, as well as a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The Fusion's top crash-test scores were achieved with the help of its new Personal Safety System, which uses advanced safety-belt technologies and other sensors to customize the deployment of front airbags during frontal impacts.

With its effective safety features and sleek design providing a boost, the new Fusion continues to prove popular in the showroom, as the sedan saw its best-ever February sales last month. Totaling 27,875 units, U.S. sales of the Fusion rose by 28 percent over its previous record set in February 2012.

"The Fusion appeals to a wide variety of buyers because their options range from a 240-horsepower engine to a plug-in hybrid drivetrain in the Fusion Energi that returns 108 MPGe in the city," added Melkonian. "Not to mention, shoppers can choose from a number of trims that further meet their needs, whether it's with the impressive connectivity of the SYNC with MyFord Touch infotainment system or with the luxury of leather-trimmed seats and ambient lighting."

New Ford Fusion Rakes In Car of the Year Awards

A year ago, the redesigned 2013 Ford Fusion was named Best in Show by Autoweek magazine following its debut at the Detroit Auto Show, raising expectations for the dealership arrival of the midsize sedan. Fast-forward to the present day, and the new Fusion is now on sale and continuing to attract critical acclaim. Both Autobytel and AOL Autos recently named the aggressively styled model their Car of the Year.

The Autobytel 2013 Car of the Year award was decided by the votes of the vehicle-research site's editorial team, and the Fusion ended up the near-unanimous choice. Editors called the new Ford model "the right amount of car for the right price at the right time," adding that it may be "the best of a really good bunch" of midsize sedans. AOL Autos used a different voting system for its 2012 Car of the Year Award, as each editor ranked their top three cars. Three points were awarded for a first-place vote, two points for a second-place vote and one point for a third-place vote, with the Fusion receiving the highest overall score.

"Both Autobytel and AOL Autos agree that the Fusion's redesign has elevated the car right to the top of the midsize segment with its excellent mix of performance, value and quality," said Alan Melkonian, owner and general manager of Stoneham Ford, a Greater Boston Ford dealer. "The new Fusion is thoroughly modern, whether you're looking at its crisp design lines, its innovative in-car technology or its fuel efficiency that comes without diluting responsiveness."

This month, the 2013 Ford Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid will go on sale as the most fuel-efficient sedan on the U.S. market, returning up to 108 MPGe in the city. That impressive gas mileage, along with the car's intuitive infotainment and driver-assist technologies, recently earned the Fusion Energi the title of 2013 Connected Car of the Year by Connected World magazine in its Green category.

The Ford Fusion Energi comes standard with SYNC with MyFord Touch, which connects with drivers' smartphones to initiate hands-free phone calls and media playback using voice commands. Meanwhile, compatibility with the MyFord Mobile app allows Fusion Energi owners to remotely check the state of the car's charge and retrieve range estimates. Buyers can also opt for a variety of active safety technologies, including a Driver Alert System, a Lane-Keeping System and a Blind Spot Information System.

"The Fusion Energi appeals equally to the head and the heart because it is packed with cost-saving and life-saving technologies, yet it looks and feels like a sportier midsize sedan," added Melkonian. "While other plug-in hybrids are marked by their subdued styles, the Fusion Energi is just as striking as it is sustainable."