The Ford Fusion was officially discontinued in North America at the end of July 2020, while the Mondeo will follow suit in Europe at the conclusion of March 2022. However, the 2023 Ford Fusion or Mondeo will be returning as both a sedan and crossover-like wagon/hatchback. Ford Authority spies captured the next-gen Ford Fusion back in May wearing heavy camo, and earlier this month, we got our first look at the sedan’s exposed rear-end, which wears a set of Ford Mustang/Ford Mustang Mach-E-inspired taillights. Now, a 2023 Ford Fusion prototype has been spied in Metro Detroit wearing even less camo.
Even though this sedan was caught driving around in the Detroit area, the model isn’t destined for North America, which isn’t terribly unusual given the fact that Ford Authority spies spotted a Lincoln Zephyr prototype – a model that will be sold in China – near Dearborn early last month.
Unlike previously-spotted 2023 Ford Fusion prototypes, this one is not wearing heavy camo on the front end, giving us a good look at the sedan’s headlights and front grille, which are completely uncovered. The headlights are slim units with LED lighting that consists of a long horizontal strip along the top that curves around the outside, as well as three smaller “lines” beneath it. Overall, the headlight design is similar to what we’ve already seen from the sedan’s taillights.
Meanwhile, the front grille is oval-shaped, like many modern Blue Oval vehicles, and contains a 3D design with smaller ovals that overlap each other. Like the rear of the car, there’s also a bar that runs the entire width of the front grille, curving upward to meet the headlights.
Meanwhile, in the rear, the taillights also feature long horizontal strips located above three vertical notches that curve down around the outside of the taillights. As Ford Authority previously reported, the next-gen Fusion’s taillights are clear when they’re not in use and will light up red when the lights are turned on or the brakes are applied. These pictures show how the taillights work when the brakes are applied for the very first time, and we can clearly see the third brake light, which is located in the center of the bar that spans the width of the tailgate.
The next-gen Fusion/Mondeo shares much of its exterior styling with the China-only Ford EVOS crossover, though it features a lower stance. Currently, the sedan is being earmarked for China – just like the production version of the Lincoln Zephyr Reflection concept – and it’s currently unclear if it will be available in other markets, though Europe and North America will likely get the more rugged Active variant.
We’ll have more on the next-gen Fusion/Mondeo soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for more Fusion/Mondeo news and 24/7 Ford news coverage.
Comments
I am not a bean counter for a big business, but I am for my little household, and I’m sure I’m not alone when I say, “Ford, I’d buy that”. Where I live, more and more Subarus are seen than ever before. Smaller, lower to the ground, etc; there’s a lot to like about a non-SUV.
I hope Ford sedans will compete with all the imports, which seem to be doing just fine in their market segment.
Finally Ford shows a decent automobile and not a boring cookie cutter SUV or crossover. On the other hand, the tail lights are based on the Mustang and not on the Mach-e. The fact is that the Mach-e is a boring SUV with Mustang grille Mustang badges, Mustang tail lights and Mustang pretentions. I hope the actual SUV cancer ends soon, in order to see more cars like this Fusion/Mondeo. Not everyone likes SUV’s or crossovers or is willing to buy one no matter what.
The Mach-E is boring? Sure, it doesn’t really live up to the expectations set by the name Mustang, but I’d hardly call it boring either. That thing’s got some spirit.
I´ve driven the Mach-e and I didn´t like it. As you say, it has some spirit, but compared to the original Mustang, it´s far far away and has nothing to do with the name Mustang. It´s just a make beleive Mustang.
In comparison to the outgoing Fusion, this appears to have a taller greenhouse which is not a bad thing. I have a 2015, and its roof is so steeply raked it feels a little claustrophobic inside. However, I’m not a big fan of the flat front. I wish they would extend the hood to make it downward sloping, and move the headlights down proportionally with it. That would give the whole of the car a bit more curvaceous and stylish look IMO.
i think ford needs to bring back sedans ,a lot of people dont like suvs,me there is a place for them but hey there is a lot of people who will switch to toyota because they offer a sedan thats priced to sell ,i know the tail pise on this camo car look stupid but why do it,does it take away from what you are looking at,love the look on the persons face driving the fusion ,like what ,lol anyways they will build what they think Americans want not what real car people want
I totally agree it’s a shame they’ve given up on cars in America. I’d love to see some genuinely fun, reliable sedans return to the market. I’d even consider buying one in a few years. At the same time, I recognize that Ford is in the business to make money, not to appeal to the very small set of people who are car enthusiasts. Sure, they’d sell some sedans, but that’s not the real issue here. Ford has a limited amount of capital with which to develop new vehicles. SUVs, crossovers, and trucks, with their higher profit margins and larger market share, will bring more money in for that investment than sedans would.
I certainly hope Ford brings back at least one sedan (Fusion or Taurus). I like the Fusion but, it is a bit small for travel. I always liked the Taurus on trips because it had leg and shoulder space. Bring back the SHO. I don’t think I will ever get the Mustang E. I just don’t care for it and I’m not an electric car fan. We take 900 mile (one way) trips seven or eight times a year. Gas stations are plentiful and quick. From what I’m reading, many times, folks pull in to charge their electric car and the station/unit is inoperable. Or, there is several vehicles waiting ahead of them. I can gas, pee and get a coffee in 15 minutes and be back on the road. It seems it may take 2-3 hrs. to get a recharge and the range will only be 250-275 miles. Heck, I have an Explorer and my range is 500-515 miles per tank. No complaints. Love it.
I agree with you. Bring back at least one sedan. I understand why they did what they did; there’s only so much capital and so much plant capacity. They had to focus on vehicles that brought them the best ROI. Look at the buzz being created by Maverick, Bronco, Bronco Sport & Mach E. The all-new Ranger is right around the corner. Ford couldn’t make that kind of buzz or profits with a sedan. That being said, I really think they need at least one. And please bring the European Puma over to replace the goofy, uncompetitive Ecosport.
Okay, so given what you admitted, why does Ford need a sedan? It brings less profit and less brand recognition. So why would they give some of that up for a sedan? (I’m genuinely curious about your thought process, not just trying to pick a fight. I’m probably missing something in what you said.)
Because there a segment of people who still need and want a CAR!!!
I guess the one thing I can’t figure out is why Ford and GM can’t make a profitable sedan and yet Honda, Toyota, BMW, Nissan, Kia and others seem to have figured it out. Yes, they are foreign companies but most of them have factories and build in the US while Ford was building Fusions in Mexico at slave wages and still couldn’t turn a profit. At least Ford is starting to see the light and closing factories in India, Argentina, Brazil, etc…. where they have lost billions the past 25 years. Now, they need to close up and get out of Russia too. Nothing going on there. I think the union concessions Ford and GM were able to get back in 2007 or 08 have slowly been recovered by the Union over the past fifteen years and those things can drive up costs. Everything they need to build cars and trucks costs more every year. I understand that but, the foreign car companies have to pay more too and yet, they still turn a profit.
The Ford Fusion was definitely one of their better efforts. Without a doubt better than the last generation Fiestas and Focuses. I preferred the first and second generations personally and the last generation became too pricey compared to the competition. It would be great if Ford offered sedans, but thats the market unfortunately.
Ford bring us this car!!! I owned a Fusion, my mom is on her 2nd. Her first she had 220,000 and they did regular maintenance. That is it. So don’t tell me the Fusion isn’t a good car.
The reason why Ford/GM are not making a profit on Sedans is because they both have made problematic vehicles that created a bad reputation toward consumers and terrible Customer service.. When you have a reputation like that you find yourself killing those cars and increasing prices on Trucks, SUV’s and crossovers by putting expensive options that the average person Don’t need !!!!. This a slot of depreciation on the value of these expensive low quality vehicles talk about fiddling while Rome Burns it sounds like Ford in GM huh….
Ford made a big mistake when they quit making Rear wheel drive sedans because front wheel drive cars wear out faster because the weight is on the front of the car. I think Henry Ford would be rolling over in his grave if he knew Ford quit making sedans because that’s what built the company from the start.
I have a 2012 Fusion SE with the 3.0L V6 and I love it. Knock on wood… I do regular maintenance and I’ve never had any major issues with it and it has 175k miles and is still going strong! Comparatively, the Impala feels bigger inside to me and rides more like a full-size sedan, but as far as mid-sized sedans go, I like the Fusion’s styling better.
Also I personally liked the convenience and styling of the Flex. Tons of space, if you’re into wagons. I want one, but I’ve heard they’ve had some issues also.
Ford needs to build and sell the cars and Suvs they’re advertised since 2017; otherwise, they are perpetuating and Inflicting sales hardship on themselves !!! Ford/ Lincoln should implement” VISION FOR A CHANGE; THUS STAGNATION WILL BE ERADICATED” !!!!