Best Car Reviews - 2019 Ford Fusion AWD

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Introduction

The 2019 Ford Fusion AWD is a midsize sedan aimed at drivers who want all-weather confidence without moving up to a crossover. For 2019, Fusion received a freshened look and added a stronger focus on standard driver-assistance tech, making it especially appealing to commuters, small families, and anyone who deals with rain, snow, or mixed-road conditions. In AWD form with Ford’s turbocharged, direct-injected 4-cylinder setup and a 6-speed automatic, it targets buyers who value secure traction and a quiet, comfortable daily drive.

Design and Exterior Features

Ford’s 2019 update sharpened the Fusion’s presence with cleaner front-end styling and more modern detailing, giving it a lower, wider visual stance than many rivals. The Fusion’s proportions remain classic midsize-sedan: a long hood, a smoothly swept roofline, and a tidy trunk that keeps the profile sleek. Small refinements for 2019 help it look more upscale than its age suggests, especially in trims that add brighter exterior accents and upgraded lighting.

Refreshed front and rear styling for the 2019 model year
Aerodynamic sedan profile with a planted, road-hugging look
Available LED lighting depending on trim and options
AWD availability in the lineup for improved all-season drivability

Interior and Comfort

Inside, the 2019 Fusion leans toward a practical, driver-friendly layout with a straightforward dashboard design and controls that are easy to learn. Material quality varies by trim, but overall fit and finish are competitive for the class, with many versions offering a near-premium vibe thanks to supportive seating and solid noise control. The cabin’s comfort shines on longer trips, and the Fusion’s everyday convenience features can make it feel like a more expensive car when properly equipped.

Comfort-oriented seating and a calm highway ride character
Available dual-zone automatic climate control
Available heated (and on some trims, ventilated) front seats
Useful trunk and back-seat fold-down flexibility for daily hauling

Performance and Handling

This AWD configuration is commonly associated with Ford’s turbocharged 2.0L EcoBoost inline-4 paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission, delivering noticeably stronger response than the base engine while keeping drivability smooth and predictable. The AWD system adds extra traction in slippery conditions and helps the Fusion feel more confident when accelerating on wet or snowy pavement. Handling is tuned for stability and comfort rather than sharp sport-sedan behavior, but it remains composed and reassuring at speed.

For fuel efficiency, EPA estimates for the 2.0L EcoBoost AWD are 20 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined, which is about 11.8 L/100 km city, 8.1 L/100 km highway, and 10.2 L/100 km combined. If you use the provided fuel-consumption figure, 12.9 L/100 km represents a more conservative real-world outcome that can occur with short trips, cold weather, heavier traffic, or an aggressive driving style.

Turbocharged, direct-injected 4-cylinder character with strong mid-range pull
6-speed automatic operation focused on smoothness and everyday usability
AWD traction advantage in rain, slush, and winter conditions
EPA estimate for 2.0L EcoBoost AWD: 20/29/23 mpg (city/highway/combined), about 11.8/8.1/10.2 L/100 km

Technology and Connectivity

The 2019 Fusion emphasizes modern connectivity, with infotainment that supports smartphone integration and available features that make commuting easier. Depending on trim and options, the Fusion offers a larger touchscreen interface, voice controls, and connected services that can provide convenience for navigation, communication, and entertainment. Ford also made a major push for driver-assistance tech availability in 2019, helping the Fusion feel current in a very competitive midsize-sedan segment.

SYNC 3 infotainment available with an 8-inch touchscreen (trim-dependent)
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility (where equipped)
Available 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot capability (where equipped)
Driver-assistance tech packaged to support daily commuting and highway travel

Safety Features

A major highlight for the 2019 Fusion is the broad availability of driver-assistance technology. Ford promoted standard Ford Co-Pilot360 driver-assist technologies on the 2019 Fusion lineup, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot information with cross-traffic alert, a lane-keeping system, a rearview camera, and automatic high-beam lighting. For crash testing, the 2019 model year is reported with a 5-star NHTSA crash rating; as always, specific results can vary by exact configuration and equipment.

Automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection
Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert
Lane-keeping assistance features
Rearview camera and automatic high-beam lighting
Reported 5-star NHTSA crash rating for the 2019 model year

Pricing and Variants

When new, the 2019 Ford Fusion’s starting MSRP is commonly listed around $23,835 for the base model, with AWD versions priced higher depending on trim and equipment. In the 2019 range, AWD was available on select trims with specific powertrains, while performance-focused models and electrified versions (Hybrid and plug-in Energi) followed their own configurations and transmissions. Against competitors like the 2019 Toyota Camry and 2019 Honda Accord, the Fusion AWD stands out for offering all-wheel drive in a mainstream midsize sedan format, though rivals may lead in cabin space, updated platforms, or long-term powertrain variety.

Pros and Cons

Pros

AWD traction adds confidence in bad weather
Comfortable ride quality suited to daily commuting
Strong available driver-assistance tech emphasis for 2019
Turbo 4-cylinder AWD versions feel noticeably more responsive than base models
Good blend of practicality and upscale styling when well equipped

Cons

Fuel economy can drop notably in city driving and cold climates with AWD
Platform is older versus some newer midsize rivals
Option and trim complexity can make it hard to find the exact feature set you want
Some EcoBoost engines in this generation have documented coolant-intrusion concerns
Resale value can lag behind class leaders in certain markets

Maintenance and Common Issues

Estimated annual maintenance cost for the Ford Fusion is about $581 per year on average, though real costs depend heavily on mileage, local labor rates, tire choice, and whether you service the vehicle at a dealer or independent shop. For this generation of Fusion, a key item to know is that Ford issued a technical service bulletin for certain 2017–2019 Fusion vehicles with the 2.0L EcoBoost regarding coolant intrusion into the cylinders, with build-date and diagnostic criteria noted in the bulletin.

Five common owner-reported issues to watch for on the 2019 Fusion generation include:

Coolant intrusion symptoms on certain EcoBoost engines (low coolant, white smoke, misfires, rough running)
Transmission shift quality complaints (hesitation, harsh or delayed shifts) on some vehicles
EVAP system and purge-valve related faults (check engine light, fueling/start issues after refueling in some cases)
Infotainment and connectivity glitches (screen behavior, pairing, intermittent system quirks)
Suspension and brake wear concerns typical of higher-mileage midsize sedans (noises, vibration, uneven wear)

Rating

Overall rating: 7.8/10. Design: 7.5/10. Comfort: 8.0/10. Performance: 7.8/10. Technology: 8.0/10. Safety: 7.8/10. The 2019 Fusion AWD earns its score by combining secure all-weather traction, a comfortable ride, and a strong safety-tech story for its model year, while losing points for mixed real-world fuel economy and known powertrain concerns that buyers should research carefully by VIN and build date.

User Reviews and Feedback

Owner feedback for the 2019 Fusion AWD often centers on how calm and confidence-inspiring it feels as an everyday car, especially in winter conditions. Many drivers like the combination of traction, comfort, and available tech, while complaints frequently focus on fuel economy in stop-and-go driving and concerns about long-term durability of certain powertrains. Overall satisfaction tends to be highest among owners who prioritize ride comfort and safe, predictable behavior over maximum rear-seat space or the newest platform in the segment.

Praise for stable winter traction and secure wet-weather behavior
Positive notes on ride comfort and quiet cruising
Strong appreciation for modern driver-assistance features in daily commuting
Mixed opinions on real-world fuel economy, especially in city use
Recurring caution around EcoBoost coolant-intrusion risk and long-term reliability questions

Best Cars in This Category

2019 Toyota Camry
2019 Honda Accord
2019 Mazda Mazda6
2019 Hyundai Sonata
2019 Kia Optima

Summary

The 2019 Ford Fusion AWD is best suited for drivers who want midsize-sedan comfort with the extra reassurance of all-wheel drive for changing seasons. It delivers a polished, easygoing driving experience, useful tech, and a safety feature set that became a bigger part of Fusion’s identity for 2019. As a value play, it can be very appealing when priced right and properly maintained, but shoppers should prioritize a thorough pre-purchase inspection, confirm the exact engine and build details, and budget realistically for fuel use that may be closer to 12.9 L/100 km in demanding real-world conditions.