Even as the mid-size Ford Fusion sedan prepares to exit the market in 2020, the Blue Oval has invested in carrying out a modest update for the 2019 model year, with the primary goals of adding active safety equipment, and reducing manufacturing complexity by slashing some of the more sparsely-equipped orderable combinations. But with the changes in both standard and optional equipment will come changes to MSRPs, and CarsDirect has found that the entire range – from the base Ford Fusion S up to the top-of-the-line V6 Sport – will cost more to start than their outgoing 2018 equivalents.
The Ford Fusion S and SE models will see the most modest increases – MSRP growths of $645 and $650, respectively, according to CarsDirect. That means a base MSRP of $23,735 for the S, and $25,015 for the SE. The Hybrid model has lost its base “S” trim, the Hybrid SE now being the lowest-priced offering at $28,450 – up $1,235 from the 2018 SE. Changes to the PHEV Ford Fusion Energi are even more drastic, the premium Titanium trim now the only one available, with a base price of $37,490 – $2,215 more than the prior model year.
Finally, the biggest price increases have hit the regular petrol Ford Fusion Titanium – now $3,870 more expensive to start at $35,235 – and the Fusion V6 Sport, which has seen its starting price swell by a staggering $6,190 to $40,910.
As Ford went about paring down its Ford Fusion range, the company paid special close attention to what trims and options were hot sellers, and what configurations were duds. In theory, then, what’s left in the lineup ought to please the vast majority of typical Ford Fusion customers, while at the same time saving the automaker some money on production. Some of those savings will be passed right along to the consumer, even if a cursory glance at the starting MSRPs doesn’t suggest as much.
For instance, CarsDirect reports that the 2019 Ford Fusion Titanium, with its $35,235 starting price, ships with so much equipment – a moonroof, adaptive cruise, 19-inch wheels, etc. – that a similarly-outfitted 2018 Fusion would cost nearly $2,000 more. Likewise, the 2019 Fusion V6 Sport comes with $43,000-worth of equipment.
For more information on the refreshed 2019 Ford Fusion, read our coverage of what’s new here.
Comments
I own a Ford Fusion Hybrid and I really like it, but, since Ford is abandoning sedans, I will abandon Ford – probably will be trading it in beginning of next year. Will be looking around until then to decide what to replace it with.
Well get ready to be disappointed because I predict many auto makers will be following suit. GM’s sedan sales fell 20% in 2017. FCA already axed the 200 and the dart. SUV sales are on the rise in Europe. I presume, most people would be perfectly fine to move into an SUV.
I think Ford’s main problem is that it hasn’t shown the public what it plans to replace the sedans with. That’s causing a lot of confusion and unease.
Don’t give up on passenger cars for now, nearly 2,850,000 were sold the first 6 months of 2018. Its just that this poorly managed company cannot make a profit on sedans even if they are made in low wage Mexico. I just took delivery of an 2018 Dodge Charger GT Plus, and I am about to sell my 2004 Mercury Marauder because I don’t care for this poorly managed company any more, at least for now.
Are sedans dad? If you consider 380 thousand plus Camrys a dead market, well…. In my humble opinion, cut back to 3 lines of sedans with variants of liftback, base in the small and medium, mid and luxury in all. Use packages to minimize option variations, offer 2 interior colors and maybe, if Ford is really brave, add a stationwagon to the mix. Actually make a REAL effort to bring out industry leaders in each segment. Remember when you did this with the Taurus? A few important keys. Base the interior dimensions on Americans…BIG!!! Drop shoulder lines for airier and better visibility. Raise seat heights. Longer and lower is so 50’s. I have more ways to save money and the sedan but I will be more than happy to hire on as a consultant.