If power is what you want in a ride, the 2018 Ford Fusion Sport is the car for you. Take heed, though, all that power comes at a price. The basic model is just over $33,000 while the models with all available bells and whistles approach $42,000. If you’re looking for a family sedan with room for car seats, groceries, and other family gears, the 2018 Ford Fusion Sport is also the car for you. That’s because the Ford Fusion is an interesting cross between a family sedan and a sports car that offers performance enhancements that easily leave its competitors in its wake.

The Engine

A turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 engine puts out 325 horsepower on its all-wheel drive chassis. This powerful engine only gets 17 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway, though, meaning you’re likely to have a sizeable gas bill. The Ford Fusion’s EcoBoost engine belies its name by notoriously underperforming its EPA mileage estimates. 6 speeds on the SelectShift Automatic offers control along with a smooth ride. Its intelligent all-wheel drive enhances handling and maximizes traction. The hybrid and Energi plug-in hybrid don’t have this feature, so keep that in mind when selecting fuel options.

The Performance

Going from 0 to 60 in just over five seconds, the Fusion Sport delivers a smooth, even, well-balanced driving experience, though the transmission feels a bit draggy when picking up speed. The understated interior design, quad exhausts, striking grill, and 19-inch wheels make a sleek, streamlined design. Though eye-catching, attractive, and appealing, the signature sweeping design of the 2018 Fusion model is starting to feel a bit dated since it’s been around since 2013. Avoid the jarring impact and potential undercarriage damage of potholes and speed bumps with the CCD Pothole Mitigation Technology.

The Enhancements

At a mere $1,600, you can choose the optional Driver Assist Package and enjoy a heated steering wheel, rain-sensing wipers, traffic alerts, an auto high beam feature, and helpful lane keep assistance. You might also opt for the $2,000 Equipment Group 401A package and enjoy LCDs, dual climate control, rear parking assist, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto music features. Music lovers will enjoy its Sync 3 information and entertainment system’s eight-inch screen, 12-speaker Sony audio system with superior sound quality, and its atmospheric lighting. Adaptive cruise control, front collision warning, and auto-emergency brake system add another $1,200 to the check you’ll write. One drawback to this seemingly inexpensive add-on is the fact that the Driver Assist Package noted above is required before the addition of these features.

Our Final Word

The 2018 Fusion Sport is Ford’s attempt at a sporty sedan and family car in one. The back seats are roomy and comfortable, but the lack of headroom might present a challenge for taller drivers and passengers. The standard model is bereft of any active safety gear meaning the driver who shells out $33,000 for the base model doesn’t get any of the best safety enhancements. So, while the 2018 Ford Fusion Sport tries to blend the best of both worlds, but it falls just shy of truly giving the driver the best of both worlds.

Tags: Ford,  Ford Fusion,  Reviews,  Specs