Ford has wisely equipped all Canadian-destined Fusions with 4-wheel antilock disc brakes as standard equipment.

The Fusion's handling is as adept as its ride is smooth, and braking is equally efficient.  (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press)

I found them to be strong and easily modulated in all braking situations. Regrettably Ford did not to carry-through with a full complement of safety features, such as side impact airbags and side curtain airbags, as standard equipment. Yes, this gear is available over and above the standard equipment frontal airbags, but if Ford really wanted to impress these important items would be installed into every Fusion rolling off the line, as would antilock brakes in U.S. models. I know many decisions around standard equipment are influenced by the bottom line and a desire by product planning price setters to reduce the price of entry for advertising reasons, but hey, Hyundai offers the full kit of airbags in its similarly priced Sonata - made in the U.S. by the way. The Sonata is also equipped with adjustable rear seat head restraints while the Fusion supplies built-in rear seat head restraints, which not only provide inferior head restraint for tall passengers but can also interfere with child-seat tether straps. Although in fairness to Ford the occupant safety scorecard is balanced somewhat by the absence of antilock brakes as standard equipment in the entry-level Canuck Sonata, although not in the U.S. where in paradox to the Fusion, antilock brakes are standard. Confused yet?

Contrary to

Sleek profile; the Fusion could win buyers over on looks alone. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press)

not fitting as much standard equipment occupant protection into the Fusion as they could, Ford has padded it with plenty of other standard features such as a power-operated driver's seat, split folding rear seats, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls and tilt/telescopic steering, in addition to all the power-assisted content usually supplied these days, including cruise control and keyless entry. Moving from the base SE edition to the highly contented SEL brings with it spoils such as leather upholstery, premium audio, steering-wheel-mounted heat and fan controls plus much more.

The base engine in both the SE and SEL is a 2.3-litre (140 cu in) I-4 producing 160 horsepower and 156 foot-pounds

The Fusion's driving position is above par, and materials quality, plus fit and finish is excellent. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press)

of torque. This unit is mated to either a 5-speed manual gearbox or a 5-speed autobox. To its credit, Ford has made the hotter V6 with its 6-speed automatic transmission available with both trim levels, allowing buyers plenty of flexibility in matching their driving needs and desires with the reality of their pocketbooks.

Allowing such packaging and pricing flexibility helps the Fusion compete in a mid-size sedan segment that is fierce to say the least. Ford's CD3 global platform architecture is allowing cross-pollination within the automaker's multi-nameplate empire, with better quality, higher-value vehicles being the outcome. But the question remains, in today's competitive market does the Fusion's blend of

The rear seating area is roomier than its exterior lines suggest. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press)

elements and attributes have what it takes to replicate the success Ford's venerable Taurus enjoyed in its heyday, once the best selling sedan in North America? In time, customer response will tell, but after spending considerable seat time in my attractive SEL tester, I think it does. While it may not eventually become the number one seller, the Fusion is unique enough in its styling to stand apart from many of the bland mid-sizers currently clogging shopping mall parking lots, while not being stylistically over-the-top. Unfortunately, the Fusion's well-defined lines have resulted in a sizeable blind spot when changing lanes or reversing due to the width of the rear pillars supporting the roof. Despite this visual intrusion, the Fusion is a comfortable, pleasant car to drive that holds its composure when pushed into corners or raked over broken pavement. Prospective mid-size sedan buyers looking for plenty of room, good value and smart looks would be smart to add the Fusion to their list of rides to "checkout."