2006 Ford Fusion

One of the most hotly contested segments in the dwindling passenger-car market is that of the midsize family sedan. About 2.2 million are sold each year, and Honda, Toyota, and Nissan cash in on nearly half the profits with their Accord, Camry, and Altima. Ford Division's antediluvian Taurus hasn't been a serious retail player for years. And Ford's freshly minted Five Hundred is too large; its former Contour too small. This fall, Ford finally will join the fray with the square-shouldered Fusion.

Inspired by the show-stopping V-10-powered 427 concept car of 2003, the Fusion's look is described by designer Peter Horbury as "bold but not brash or noisy." Its overall countenance is confidently American, though we wish that more of the perhaps brash and noisy details of the show car had survived the transition down to this smaller Mazda6-based package. The "squircle" (round-cornered square) shapes framing the headlamps, taillamps, gauges, and door-panel inserts surely could've been worked in and would lend greater distinction than the pan-Asian solutions that made the final cut.

Beneath these skin-deep style issues lies some impressive substance. The front-suspension hardware resembles that of a Mercedes E-Class, using a control arm, lateral link, and leading link with geometry that reduces the effective scrub radius for improved steering feel and accuracy. On paper, this setup, plus the multilink rear suspension conceivably could deliver best-in-class handling. Four-wheel disc brakes will be standard on all models; ABS and traction control are options.

The choice of all-aluminum DOHC engines includes the Focus's 2.3-liter four tuned for 160 horsepower and 154 pound-feet of torque and the 3.0-liter V-6 rated at 210 horses and 207 pound-feet. Both employ variable intake-valve timing, and the four adds a swirl valve to broaden the torque curve. Each engine gets the vibration-isolation benefit of hydraulic mounts--a rarity in the class. The competitor's V-6 variants will all out-power the Fusion (not expected to weigh much less). Astute gearing might save the day, however, as Ford trumps all rivals with a six-speed Aisin automatic (optional on four-cylinders).