the 06-12 version which was on a Mazda designed platform that was also used on the Mazda 6 of the 2000s. So it had access to a lot of the same drivetrains, etc.

Mazda's cars are known for their handling among other things. If they had manual transmissions, they were Mazda transmissions, etc.

When Ford stopped selling the Contour (Mondeo) in the US, and the Taurus went from being an ovoid mess to a hasty rebadge of the Five Hundred, a car really intended to replace the Crown Victoria in the US, a car that was more like the original Taurus was needed. Enter the Fusion.


the 13-19? Fusion is based on a Ford of Europe platform that is shared with the Mondeo (in fact, the Fusion and Mondeo were the same car in this era). This time around, the Mondeo was right on target with the U.S. market and was developed by Ford to be a truly "world" car. You can get this car in some wild trims in the UK (like the "Vignale", a trim above "Titanium" in the US: https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/ford/mondeo/91411/ford-mondeo-vignale-review).

Ford Europe is still selling the Mondeo but Ford US is punting the ball on all sedans.

I've driven both versions in multiple forms. I really like the Gen 2 Fusion, but the first one (the one you have) was a huge step in the right direction (esp. in the model year you have it).