Monday, March 7, 2011

2011 Ford Fusion Reviews

The Ford Fusion has it all figured out. The Fusion does it with a canny mix of American style and global-think green-ness. There's no mistaking its brash chrome-barred grille as anything but pure Detroit--even while its downsized and hybridized four-cylinder engine turns in faultless city fuel economy on a par with Honda's hybrids.

The "2011 Ford Fusion" is a midsize sedan available in S, SE, Sport and SEL trim levels. The SE adds 17-inch alloys, foglamps, automatic headlights, dual exhaust tips, a fold-flat passenger seat, an eight-way power driver seat with manual recline and lumbar, steering-wheel radio controls and a six-speaker stereo with satellite radio.

The Sport adds a sport-tuned suspension and steering setup, 18-inch wheels, exclusive styling cues inside and out, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, a 10-way power driver seat, a four-way power passenger seat, unique leather-trimmed seats and the Sync entertainment and communications interface. The Fusion SEL adds heated exterior mirrors, puddle lights, a numerical keyless entry pad, ambient lighting, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats and leather upholstery.

The 2011" Ford Fusion" features three different engines. The base power plant -- standard on S, SE and SEL models -- is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 175 hp and 172 pound-feet of torque. All-wheel drive is optional on the Sport and V6-powered SEL.

The 3.0-liter V6 has a 20/28/23 mpg rating and the 3.5-liter V6 drops to 18/27/21 mpg.

Antilock disc brakes, stability control, front-seat side airbags and side curtain airbags are standard on all Fusions. The Sport model feels particularly buttoned-down thanks to its sport-tuned suspension.

The 2011 Ford Fusion ranks 2 out of 18 Affordable Midsize Cars. Reviewers were impressed with the 2010 Ford Fusion’s upscale interior, more powerful engine options and available all-wheel drive. The 2011 Ford Fusion maintains these traits, but gains a few more improvements.

The Ford Fusion had an excellent 2010. Perhaps one of the coolest additions to the 2011 Ford Fusion is the MyKey system. Most car reviewers agree that the 2011 Ford Fusion is ideal for small families.

If price isn’t an issue, but eco-friendliness and fuel economy are priorities, the Ford Fusion Hybrid is a wise choice. In addition to great fuel economy, buyers receive the same sprightly performance and high-quality interior finishing and amenities the 2011 Ford Fusion gasoline models offer.
Also, the Ford Fusion is one of the few Affordable Midsize Cars available with All-Wheel-Drive, making it a popular family car in the snowbelt.

2012 Hyundai Genesis sedan dubbed the R-Specs

Hyundai's Genesis sedan is much improved for 2012, yet its position in the market won't change one bit. The Genesis will continue to give engineers and product planners at Mercedes-Benz and Lexus fits, thanks to the sedan's upgraded V-6 engine, revised suspension tuning, and a new eight-speed automatic transmission -- not to mention the 429-horsepower R-Spec model.

Hyundai expects highway fuel efficiency to increase to 29 mpg, though city fuel economy probably won't stray far from the 2011 model's 18 mpg. Don't be surprised if the 2012 Genesis 3.8 accelerates as fast as a 2011 Genesis V-8.

The real news for the 2012 Genesis is the R-Spec model. Its 5.0-liter V-8 makes 429 horsepower at 6400 rpm and 376 pound-feet of torque at 5000 rpm.

At 2011 Chicago Auto Show Hyundai unveiled a new edition of the the Genesis sedan dubbed the R-Spec, powered by a new 5.0 liter engine developing 430 hp. The highlights of the Genesis 5.0 R-Spec also include unique 19-inch machined-finish alloy wheels, optional Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 summer performance tires and sport-tuned transmission, suspension and steering calibrations for sportiness. Genesis R-Spec only will be offered in three sport-oriented exterior colors: Black Noir, Titanium Gray, and Platinum Metallic, each with Black leather interior and an all-black leather steering wheel for a differentiated sport appearance from the 4.6 model.
The refreshed 2012 Hyundai Genesis, including a new 429-horsepower 5.0-liter R-Spec model, debuted at the 2011 Chicago Auto Show.

All three variants in the 2012 Genesis lineup now get an eight-speed automatic transmission, an upgrade over the old six-speed transmissions offered in the 2011 Genesis.
The 2012 Genesis goes on sale in April.

The refreshed "2012 Hyundai Genesis", including a new 429-horsepower 5.0-liter R-Spec model, debuted on Wednesday at the 2011 Chicago Auto Show. Although pricing was not announced on the R-Spec model, expect it to be the most expensive Genesis ever, priced between $45,000 and $50,000, Hyundai told Inside Line.

The R-Spec churns out 44 more hp than the 4.6-liter V8 in the 2011 Genesis--The 2012 Genesis goes on sale in April--Although the EPA has yet to rate the 2012 Genesis, Hyundai said the fuel economy in the R-Spec model will "nearly match" that of the 2011 Genesis 4.6.