2015 Fleet Car of the Year: Ford Fusion

The Ford Fusion has been named the 2015 Fleet Car of the year. The Fusion has been named the Fleet Car of the Year more than any other model since the inception of the award in 2006 — an astounding five times. This year, the popular fleet model was named No. 1 out of a ballot of 44 cars for the annual Automotive Fleet and Business Fleet award, racking up the most votes by fleet managers in an online ballot.

“The Ford Fusion is a very important vehicle to Ford from a fleet perspective. With 33 percent of Fusion sales made to commercial, government, and rental customers, the Fusion is a key fleet vehicle in the Ford lineup. For 2016, we added the SE Driver Assist package specifically for fleet customers based on feedback from our advisory board members,” said Fritz Ahadi, general manager, Commercial and Government Sales Operations at Ford Motor Company. “We are very pleased to receive this award.”

Always Moving Forward

Over the years, several notable improvements have been made to the Fusion, with the goal of constantly improving driver safety and comfort.

The 2014 model-year Fusion included new available options including the 1.5L EcoBoost four-cylinder engine, which offered efficiency without sacrificing performance, according to the automaker. A new, available option included inflatable rear outboard seat belts, which were added to help protect rear-seat occupants.

The 2015 model-year Fusion included new standard features such as configurable daytime running lamps and six-way power adjustable passenger seats (Fusion SE). Also, a standard rear-view camera was added to the car.

The newest model, the 2016 Fusion, includes a redesigned center stack, which offers a simplified user experience with SYNC screen and mechanical buttons.

Updating the ‘Face’ of Ford

Since its debut in 2012 as the “new face of Ford,” the Fusion has been a record-setting seller for the automaker.

The 2015-model featured several improvements, helping it win the acclaim of fleet managers as the 2015 Fleet Car of the Year.

The 2015 Ford Fusion featured a choice of seven powertrains, including two turbocharged and direct-injected EcoBoost engines, a naturally aspirated 2.5L engine, a hybrid-electric and a plug-in hybrid in Fusion Energi, plus available Auto Start-Stop and all-wheel-drive.

After debuting in 2014, the 1.5L EcoBoost continued to be the heart of the Fusion engine lineup, featuring turbocharging, direct gasoline injection and twin independent variable camshaft timing. The 1.5L included several design features, which debuted on the 1.0L EcoBoost engine available in the Ford Fiesta and Focus.

Looking Ahead at 2016

Moving forward, fleets can continue to look for advancements with the Fusion. The 2016 model offers a choice of two EcoBoost engines plus hybrid-electric and plug-in hybrid powertrains.

The available engines include the standard 2.5L iVCT I-4, which produces 175 hp and 175 lb.-ft. of torque; and available 1.5L EcoBoost I-4, which produces 181 hp and 185 lb.-ft. of torque; or the 2.0L EcoBoost I-4, which produces 240 hp and 270 lb.-ft. of torque.

The 2016 Fusion is available with a 6-speed SelectShift Automatic series transmission and comes in three trim levels: S, SE, and Titanium. All-wheel drive is available on Fusion SE with 2.0L EcoBoost engine.

Standard safety features include AdvanceTrac electronic stability control, dual front air bags, front seat-mounted side air bags, dual front knee air bags, side-curtain air bags, adjustable head restraints; tire pressure monitoring system, SOS Post-Crash Alert System, and rear-view camera.

The mid-size 2016 Fusion also offers an array of driver-assist features, including available adaptive cruise control and collision warning with brake support, Blind Spot Information System with cross-traffic alert, active park assist and lane-keeping system.

For 2016, the Fusion features a redesigned center stack; new S Appearance Package that includes 18-inch alloy painted Ebony black wheels, front fog lamps and rear spoiler; and a new SE Cold Weather Package, which offers Power Code Remote Start System, heated cloth seats, and all-weather floor mats

Fusion is produced at Ford’s Hermosillo, Mexico, manufacturing facility and at Flat Rock Assembly Plant in Flat Rock, Mich.