2018 Ford Fusion Trim Levels with Comparisons & Configurations.

When Ford brought together its first-generation Fusion design and the highly successful European Ford Mondeo, the resulting vehicle was a stunning success. Spacious, comfortable and responsive, the Ford Fusion took on the established leaders of the mid-size sedan market and came out triumphant.

All of the key features of the segment are strong points for the Fusion. It has a very spacious cabin that easily fits five tall adults, a large trunk that can easily carry a full family’s luggage and a selection of strong engines. That makes it a very attractive vehicle for many shoppers looking for a solid and reliable mid-size sedan. 

One of the reasons for the Fusion’s wide appeal is its full range of different trim levels. From basic budget builds to upscale Platinum and Titanium models, as well as the high-powered Sport, there is a Ford Fusion for practically everyone. Each one also has a number of different optional packages that can be used to customize it. This guide puts together the information on all of the key features that each of the Fusion models and packages offers, helping you find the right one for your requirements.
 

Compare the 2018 Fusion S vs SE Trims. What is the difference?

The Fusion S is a fairly standard base model of a mid-size sedan, with its main distinguishing feature being a lower price point than most of its competitors. It is still fairly spacious, which is a major draw for a lot of buyers, and comes with a decent selection of basic amenities. A four speaker audio system, push button start, a rearview camera and a 4.2-inch infotainment touchscreen with Bluetooth and voice commands join the basics like keyless entry, power windows and air conditioning on this model. It also uses the standard 2.5-liter engine and is only available in a front-wheel drive configuration.

The SE accounts for much of the variety of different configurations that the Fusion is available in. It only offers a few standard features over the S, but it really opens up the opportunities for customization. The standard equipment is the same as on the S, with a few additions. There are power seats for the driver and the front passenger, two additional speakers and satellite radio.

The same 2.5-liter engine as on the S is standard, but the SE offers two additional options: a 1.5-liter and a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine. The 1.5-liter is only slightly stronger than the base engine and a little more efficient, but the added low-end torque of the turbocharger makes for a much more responsive driving experience than the 2.5-liter. The 2.0 on the other hand, gives the Fusion 245 horsepower and puts it on par with V-6 options from the Fusion’s competitors. All-wheel drive is also an option on the Fusion SE.

In addition to the engine options, the SE has a full range of optional features. One package, bundled with the 1.5-liter engine, adds leather upholstery, heated seats and a remote starter. Another adds a full range of advanced safety features like forward collision warning with automatic braking, blind spot monitors with rear cross traffic alerts, lane keep assist, and automatic high beams. An entertainment bundle includes both the more advanced SYNC 3 infotainment system as well as a premium 11-speaker sound system and dual-zone climate control. Stand-alone features include navigation, a moonroof and dynamic cruise control. 

Most people are attracted to the Ford Fusion due to its comfortable interior and its large size, so even the Fusion S will satisfy those key characteristics. The strength of the SE is how customizable it is, thanks to so many different engines and optional packages. Even high-end features like leather upholstery and premium audio are available on the SE, though it can get relatively expensive once one starts adding up different options and packages.

Compare the 2018 Ford Fusion SE vs Titanium Trims. What is the difference?

The Titanium used to be the high-end model of the Fusion until the arrival of the Sport and Platinum models. It incorporates a lot of the more popular optional features from the SE. Power heated front seats, leather upholstery, a 12-speaker sound system by Sony, dual-zone climate control and premium infotainment are all standard on this model. It also comes with the more powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged engine standard, with all-wheel drive as an option. The safety features, navigation and moonroof are all optional, just like on the SE.

The best way to think of the Titanium is as a best-of compilation for the large selection of the SE optional features. It is slightly nicer in terms of trim, but mostly serves as a bundle of the favorite SE features. This makes it a good choice if those are the features you want, though you will lose some of the customizability that is the mark of the SE. This is particularly noticeable when it comes to the engines, as the 2.0-liter is not quite as efficient as the 1.5-liter turbo.

If the features offered by the Titanium match your requirements, then it is a better deal than a similar SE. If there are major features that you do not care for, then choosing the more customizable SE is the smarter option.

Compare the Fusion Titanium vs Sport Trims. What is the difference?

The Ford Fusion Sport is the high-power variant of the Fusion family, with a feature set based on the Titanium. In addition to the standard Titanium features, it also adds larger wheels, a unique leather-and-suede upholstery, a sport suspension and steering wheel gear shifters.

The main attraction is the 2.7-liter twin turbo V-6 engine. At 325 horsepower, it is easily in sports car territory, and handles itself quite nicely on its standard all-wheel drive system. It also offers most of the same optional features that are available on the Titanium as well. 

For most drivers, the added power of the 2.0-liter turbo is easily enough for this midsize sedan. The Fusion Sport is really oriented towards the drivers who want to own a sports car, but also need the large passenger and cargo space of a mid-size sedan. In that case, the Sport is a perfect car, but the vast majority of the people looking at the Ford Fusion will not have much of an opportunity to put all of that power to use. 

Compare the Fusion Titanium vs Platinum Trims. What is the difference?

In the same way that the Fusion Titanium is a collection of the best SE options, the Platinum is all-inclusive option when it comes to the Titanium feature set. It is a new trim level, and arose as a result of the increased amount of optional high-end features that were being added to the Titanium every year. It basically includes all of the standard and the optional Titanium equipment, along with ventilated front seats and a high-end leather upholstery.

The primary reasons to choose the Fusion Platinum over the Titanium or even the SE trims are the looks and the prestige of owning the top-end model. Aside from those, the Platinum offers little that the Titanium does not. But if getting all of the options has been a part of your plan from the very beginning, then the Fusion Platinum can be a relatively cost-effective choice.

As a relatively low-volume and low-demand model, it can also be a good candidate for special deals or additional discounts from dealers, depending on the market conditions. If none of those things apply in your case though, then you may be better off getting the lower trim levels instead.

 

Final Thoughts

The vast majority of the Ford Fusions bought and sold are the SE model, which makes sense given the different features that each trim level offers. As far as price-leader trims go, the Fusion S is a good one, and can be a good choice for drivers looking for a simple and straightforward driving experience, but the sheer amount of available options make the SE a much more attractive proposition, especially when taking into account the availability of the different engines and all-wheel drive.

The higher end models like the Titanium and the Platinum offer little that you can’t get in the SE, and derive their value primarily from the easy availability of the most commonly chosen features. You are unlikely to have to hunt down the perfect Titanium the way you might search for an SE with the right features. And if you are a performance enthusiast, you might want to give the Sport a try, though most will find its additional horsepower superfluous to their everyday needs.

Ford Fusion Buying Guides:

• Why buy a 2018 Ford Fusion? w/ pros vs cons