this gives a consumer a GOOD reason to buy the ford over an accord/camry

won’t make a dent in camry/accord sales

This is a good move by Ford and will also mean purchases of the Fusion by potential Subaru buyers.

Now, will this get the AWD system used in the Mazdaspeed6 or one from Volvo? I think the Mazda system is a better system compared to the Volvo one so I hope the Fusion gets that. It would make the most sense since the Fusion uses the same chassis as the Mazda 6, right?

Most Camry/Accord buyers get the 4-bangers. The few who opt for the V6 will note the power advantage the Camry and Accord have over the Fusion. Now, if you can get the Fusion AWD V6 for the price of a nicely equipped 4-banger Camry/Accord, they may have something.

I agree it might not dent Accord/Camry sales but it’s a good move by Ford.

I agree it might not dent Accord/Camry sales but it’s a good move by Ford.

Offering AWD for free…
No, you are exchanging a V6 for AWD.

I hope it does make a dent in the Accord/Camry sales. If doing so, hopefully that will put pressure on the Japanese makers to offer AWD cars in the states too. For instance, I heard that the Honda Fit in Japan has an AWD option. Since I live in the northeast, I would love a Fit with that option.

“For the same money as an Accord or Camry, we’re offering a Fusion with all-wheel-drive for free”  – Poor choice of words by Ford’s PR guy here: For a similar price, sure; for free, no…

@Steve – Since Fusion/Milan/MKZ is based on the Mazda platform, I’d have to guess that this is the Mazda-derived AWD system.

I was checking Ford’s site and it seems only the 6 speed auto is the only transmission. They should give it the option of a 5 or 6 speed manual.

And Ianapat7, you do not exchange the V6 for the AWD. The AWD option is only for the V6 SE and the V6 SEL models.

IMHO this will be noticed by Toyota/Honda in terms of sales. It is a pretty good value.

Reviewing the Ford and Toyota Canada sites, the AWD is ONLY offered on the V6 equipped models. So Ford is not exchanging a V6 for AWD.
Further to that, a base V6 AWD Fusion listed for 28,800CAD, whereas the base V6 Camry was just under at 27,900CAD. Assuming a Ford dealer will negotiate more than a Toyota, the prices differences are negligable. So the question remains; Which would you prefer, Fusion with AWD, or the larger, more powerful Camry.

yeah but isnt the Fusion/Mazda/Volvo all the same platform? the S60 and Mazda6 are the same last i knew, so its basically the AWD system, not the platform. Just like the RS4’s next gen quattro system has a different 40/60 front/rear torque split while the A4 has the current-gen 50/50 even torque split.

Ford didn’t annonce pricing for AWD today, I’ve seen it two weeks ago on http://www.ford.ca

Cool! This will make the Fusion a very interesting choice for those looking at the mid-size sedan market, which honestly needs stuff like AWD to keep the market moving forward.

Wrongo again A4…

Mazda6/Fusion/Milan/MkZ are on the smaller Mazda-designed CD3 platform.

Volvo S60/S80/XC90/Ford FiveHundred/Freestyle and Mercury Montego are on the Volvo-designed P2/D3 platform.

C’mon you call this news!!!! I drove on 3 weeks ago, that’s right an 07′Fusion AWD and their was a sticker in the window. So if this is news to you, it’s old rubbish to me.

I agree. Poor choice of words. “Similar cost” not “free.”

However, this does not detract from the fact that it is a better value than the Camry or Accord. The Fusion’s quality numbers are coming back as strong as anything in its class. The 3.0L is not the greatest engine, but it’s more than most people actually need or use.

Similarly equipped Fusions run about $3500 MSRP and $4500 sale price below the Camry. With residuals almost as strong as the Camry right now and no stalling transmissions like the Camry is suffering from and quality numbers higher than anything Ford has seen in a new model, it seems like the right value.

Ultimately, the Fusion has to work against the Ford name. The Fusion itself is a great car (maybe not perfect, but very good). Ford’s brand, however, has negative associations. That negativity will be the only thing that does not dent Camry and Accord sales. It’s all perception and not much reality at this point.

Well, now we know what chassis Jaguar will use for the X-type if they replace the current one anytime soon.

There is no plan to replace the X-type when it is discontinued sometime in 2008 or2009. Jaguar will have no entry level vehicle after that. Makes no sens to me but that is what two different Jaguar/Land Rover employees have told me.

This is good. Now I’m getting interested again, Ford. Keep it coming.

Hybrid version please? Isn’t the hybrid Escape/Mariner AWD?

This won’t do anything to make a dent in Accord/Camry sales, the best will still sell the most, and the Fusion is sure as hell not the best, and an AWD option isn’t going to makeup for its numerous other shortcomings, the Accord and Camry will sell the most because they are superior cars. The end.

Very cool. This will really set the Fusion apart in the midsize sedan segment. As far as I know, no other midsize sedan offers AWD except the Subaru Legacy. With this and the new and upcoming V6, the Fusion really will become a big player in this segment. Best of all the pricing is very competitive with other cars.

Not the Best, not yet! We may have to give it a couple of years but the Fusion will be their with Camry and Accord. Give it time.

$27.5K on Carsdirect 3.0 SEL AWD fully loaded, not bad at all… but what’s the downside of this car? I haven’t checked any comments or reviews yet.

AWD sucks gas. most honda +toyota buys are gas concious

Truong, very true but then there are also pure performance and pure safety nuts. Ford needs to go in either direction to sell.

Another Bold Move! When you think the Fusion can’t get any better Ford goes and Trumps the Competition. The Fusion has Less TGW (things Gone Wrong) than camry and accord and this is Fusion’s first year of production!!!
AWD, fully loaded at zero percent, geeze who would be dumb enough to buy the so called QUALITY of the competition and pay almost 10,000 more for it. Toyota would really have you by the Balls!!! Go FORD!!!

YOU ONLY LOOSE 1MPG WITH THE NEW AWD TOO!!!!!!