Fusion is a good buy four years on; used car shootout

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), August 3, 2007

Our series spotlighting the best used cars on the market pits some of the most popular models in a head-to-head shootout aimed at finding the finest and best value cars in each sector. This week it is the turn of the Ford Fusion and Renault Modus

FORD hoped the F-factor would change the face of family motoring when the Fusion joined the Fiesta and Focus five years ago.

Billed as the ultimate vehicle for the urban family, the Fusion offers a blend of off-roader appeal and people carrier practicality.

And because demand has never been especially high there are some good deals to be secured.

The Fusion is taller than the Fiesta, on which it is based, but of similar length and width. And while it lacks any serious flair, it's certainly versatile, scoring heavily with available interior space.

As for practicality, a 60/40 split-rear seat allows maximum luggage capacity to be increased.

A choice of three engines - 1.4 and 1.6-litre petrol and a 1.4 Duratorq TDCi diesel - is available.

Running costs are relatively cheap. Even the entry-level Fusion 1 has ABS, twin airbags and central locking, Fusion 2 adds electric front windows and air conditioning while 3 includes alloy wheels. Expect to pay a main Ford dealer around pounds 5,750 for a 1.4 TDCi diesel Fusion 2 on a 2003/03 plate or pounds 4,900 for the same trim level and model year 1.6-litre petrol Fusion.

RENAULT describes its versatile Modus as a small car with a big heart.

It also possesses a capacity to deceive. Its profile hides a raft of talents that quickly have you hooked.The emphasis is placed firmly on simplicity and practicality.

Interior space is Tardis-like, but it's those touches that tackle irritating problems that make the little Frenchman stand out.

High on the list is what they call the Triptic seat, which is a sliding rear bench with folding centre section. It slides through 170mm with four possible positions and can accommodate two or three passengers while providing as much legroom as a large luxury car.

Sticking with the seat theme, just tug a small tab and the front passenger squab lifts to reveal a hollow ideal for stuff that slides around like bottles, computer games or mobiles.

Another piece of ingenuity comes in the form of a 'boot chute', designed after a Renault stylist found he couldn't load shopping into his hatchback in a tight parking spot. It's part of the normal tailgate, but hinged at the bottom to rest loads on and allow items to be dropped into the boot in confined spaces.

Modus comes with a choice of three petrol units - and the same number of 1.5-litre dCi diesels, all of which are quiet.

As a family car, Modus is strong on safety. It achieved a maximum five-star rating in the independent Euro NCAP crash tests.

Expect to pay around pounds 4,850 for a 2004/54 1.4 Expression model.

Renault Modus:

MODEL: Renault Modus

DRIVING: High driving position allows optimum forward visibility; predictable and safe handling.

PERFORMANCE: Useful all round. Even the 1.4-litre petrol boasts 98bhp.

ECONOMY: Adequate on petrol models - 1.4-litre will return 42mpg - and excellent, up to 63mpg, from diesels.

SAFETY: All versions have anti-lock brakes and four airbags; five-star crash test rating.

WHAT'S HOT: Interior space, nippy yet economical performance, Triptic rear seat, maximum safety rating.

WHAT'S NOT: Dinky shape, rear view blind spot.

RECOMMENDED BUY: Modus 1.5 dCi 80 Expression.

STAR RATING (out of five): ****

Ford Fusion:

MODEL: Ford Fusion

DRIVING: Good ride, handling and grip; decent visibility; easy to park.

PERFORMANCE: Adequate at best; turbodiesel is the one to go for if you're not fussed about punch.

ECONOMY: Around the 40mpg mark from petrol models, TDCi will return closer to 60mpg.

SAFETY: All versions have anti-lock brakes and twin airbags.

WHAT'S HOT: Versatile interior; sensible layout; cheap parts and ser vicing.

WHAT'S NOT: Boxy shape, lack of image.

RECOMMENDED BUY: Fusion 1.4 TDCi.

STAR RATING (out of five): ***