2010 Ford Fusion

We got a sneak peak at the 2010 Ford Fusiona while back, but now on the eve of its reveal at the LA Auto Show, we can bring you the complete details on Ford's latest salvo in the battle for America's sedan-buying hearts and minds. The new Fusion brings sleeker styling, more fuel-efficient and powerful engines, and a higher quality interior. That says a lot as the original Fusion was pretty strong on most of those fronts to begin with. Complete analysis, details, and more pictures below.

Beginning at the front, Ford has drawn the now standard razor blade grille out above the trapezoidal headlights, visually broadening the front of the car while stretching it a bit further down in the fascia. This freshened grille is combined with lower bumper styling elements reminiscent of the Euro-only Ford Mondeo along with a character line along the hood which all combine to creates new faces that's substantial without being too flashy, though there's an awful lot of chrome up there. We're not so sure about the tail end which mimics the shape of the headlights on the flagship Ford F-150. It's not offensive, but the sleek nose with the geometric shapes on the rear don't jive real well for us, but we can deal with it.

Inside the interior gets materials upgrades in the dash, door panels, center console and the the new seats are a pretty comfy place to be. Cars equipped with the navigation screen get an upgrade to a huge eight inch touch screen with optional Sirius Travelink (which is the bees knees). Noise gets knocked down with the addition of an acoustic windscreen but pretty much everything else we like on the inside stays the same with a bit of a styling update.

On the mechanical side the Fusion is much improved, with upgrades to the four cylinder, the V6, the transmission and the suspension. The base inline four gets bumped up from 2.3 liters to 2.5 liters along with output moving up to 175 HP and 172 lb-ft of torque. That engine can be had with a six speed automatic transmission or a six speed manual (Let us take a moment to declare "Woo Hoo!). That I4 combo package gets at least five miles per gallon better fuel economy than the outgoing 2.3 liter.

The 3.0 liter Duratec V6 gets a one to two MPG bump in economy but more important it goes from 221 HP to 240 HP and 222 lb-ft of torque (250 HP on ethanol). That's nice and all, but hold onto your hats cause Ford is adding a Fusion Sport model to the lineup with a 3.5 liter V6 with 263 HP and 249 lb-ft of toque, that's going to be a spicy meatball. Unfortunately both of the V6's are only available with the six speed automatic. Suppose you can't have everything in life, at least the auto gets "Select Shift" so you can pretend you're a big boy with a real transmission.

All models begin pushing into a more modern age with electric power steering while the suspension gets tweaks to improve ride and handling and to deal with the differences from that electric power steering. The cars also gets new gadgets like blind spot detection, a voice activated nav system, rear facing camera and that "Easy Fuel" capless filling system.

All in all, the new Fusion is an impressive upgrade to an already good car and we'll get a closer look when it's unveiled at the LA Auto Show. We can't wait to get behind the wheel of the Sport model and that I4 with the six-speed to try out what will probably be a hugely entertaining passenger car.