Ford Fusion wins Motor Trend Car of the Year award

[mikeyb]

Though the field of 23 contenders was highly competitive this year , we guessed immediately that the winner was a Ford as soon as the webcast came online. How'd we know? The fact they were broadcasting the announcement from Ford World Headquarters in Detroit was a not-so-subtle clue. The Fusion, Taurus and Mustang were all in the running, but it was Ford's redesigned mid-size sedan, the Fusion, that took home the coveted Golden Calipers.

In retrospect, the choice is a solid one and not all that surprising. The Fusion was extensively reworked for the 2010 model year and features a new exterior design, new models and new powertrains. Ford offers a four-cylinder model, two strong V6 options and a full-on parallel hybrid variant, which means buyers should have no trouble finding a Fusion that fits their needs. And indeed they have, as the Fusion has already broken its own yearly sales record with two months left to go.

Like MT, we're big fans of the Fusion here at Autoblog, and even have high hopes that one day it could be the domestic car that knocks the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord from atop their perches as the best selling cars in the States. That said, this Ford still has a long way to go. Toyota has sold nearly twice as many Camry models as the Fusion so far this year, and the Accord and Nissan Altima are still flashing their taillights at Ford's CoTY winner. It's not just demand, as Ford doesn't even have the production capacity at the moment to match Camry sales, and it doesn't help that the Mercury Milan siphons off a few potential Fusion customers, as well.

Nevertheless, this is less about what the Fusion could be in the future than what it is today: the 2010 Motor Trend Car of the Year. Congrats to Ford and the Fusion team.

CONTENDERS FOR 2010 MOTOR TREND CAR OF THE YEAR:

BMW 7 SERIES
BMW Z4
BUICK LACROSSE
CHEVROLET CAMARO
FORD FUSION
FORD MUSTANG
FORD TAURUS
HONDA INSIGHT
HYUNDAI GENESIS COUPE
KIA FORTE
KIA SOUL
LEXUS HS 250H
MAZDA3
MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS COUPE
MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS
NISSAN 370Z
NISSAN CUBE
PORSCHE PANAMERA
SUBARU LEGACY
SUZUKI KIZASHI
TOYOTA PRIUS
VOLKSWAGEN GTI
VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN

 

[mikeyb]

Congrats!!!

 

[skylar2ups]

YAY! I'm a big fan of FoMoCo.

 

[genericuser]

I've driven a new fusion.. It is a surprisingly good car.

 

[Kymerik]

I am surprised by this...it just doesnt seem like that spectacular of a car...dont get me wrong, i am a huge fan of the fusion but I could see several other cars being the car of the year

anyways, Congrats to FOMOCO

 

[R-X-R]

have give credit for ford.,.,they make some gud looking cars,.,. even though i hate ford cuz they put hands inside mazda.,.,

 

[GoFast]

interesting

 

[Scorpion34]

Ford is def making a good comeback. I think the 2010-2011 lineup is Ford's best lineup in a long time.

 

[Kymerik]

Ford is def making a good comeback. I think the 2010-2011 lineup is Ford's best lineup in a long time.

cept the mustang...looks badass, less power than your run of the mill standard v6 sedan

 

[antlind]

Amazing that a car built on the platform of the Gen1 Mazda6 could win Car of the Year.

 

[MazdaSpeeder]

I'm pumped for Ford on this one, although I wish they (along with Mazda) would offer a manual with their v6. That said, I hear the 4 cylinder with the sport package drives and handles pretty well, and it looks awesome. Nice to see the non-bailed-out automaker on top.

 

[Saskatchewan17]

I love it. Would get one in a heartbeat if considering a family sedan.

I would absolutely LOVE a Fusion hybrid to daily. It is so futuristic and cool... and almost gets Prius mileage without being so sluggish.

 

[xJAZx]

now all they need is a fusion with ecoboost and i will sell an arm and a leg to get one

 

[MazdaSpeeder]

now all they need is a fusion with ecoboost and i will sell an arm and a leg to get one

+100000000000

 

[Donas64]

congrats to ford.

 

[andrew.savage]

I think FoMoCo is doing great things and this is a great win for them.

 

[coolmazda5]

Good job Ford. My dad has been such a Ford fan, everybody in the family has driven one one way or the other.

Fusion wagon would be nice, not asking for much, just SES trim, 4cyl and 6MT, that will do, no hybrids for me (yet)

 

[tunersteve]

Parents picked up a 2010 SEL V6, and, compared to a friend's 2009 SE I4 with the Sport apprearance package, is leaps and bounds ahead. I think I'd very easily take a Fusion Sport over a new Mazda6 now, after driving and seeing the feel of the car.

And for those of you doubting on the Mustang, just wait til Dec 2, when the LA Auto Show kicks off...trust me.

 

[Donas64]

Parents picked up a 2010 SEL V6, and, compared to a friend's 2009 SE I4 with the Sport apprearance package, is leaps and bounds ahead. I think I'd very easily take a Fusion Sport over a new Mazda6 now, after driving and seeing the feel of the car.

And for those of you doubting on the Mustang, just wait til Dec 2, when the LA Auto Show kicks off...trust me.

I'd almost have to agree with you. Mazda flubbed the styling on the new 6 big time! Still has not grown on me.

Whats going on with the mustang? Is it getting Ecoboost?

 

[altspace]

The Cube was considered? Bleh!