The 2008 Ford Fusion offers a choice of front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, and it comes in three trim levels, S, SE and SEL. The standard engine for all of them is the 2.3-liter four-cylinder Duratec rated at 160 horsepower. A five-speed manual transmission is standard, a five-speed automatic transmission is optional ($875). A 3.0-liter V6 engine producing 221 horsepower coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission is available in the SE and SEL trims.

The Fusion S ($17,770) comes standard with cloth upholstery, four-way manually adjustable driver's seat, 60/40 split folding rear seat, air conditioning, tilt/telescoping steering wheel, power door locks with remote keyless entry, power windows and mirrors, four-speaker AM/FM stereo with single CD/MP3 player and auxiliary input jack, antitheft system and P205/60R16 tires on steel wheels.

The SE ($18,695) adds a six-way power driver seat with manual lumbar adjustment, a front-passenger seatback that folds down to handle long cargo, redundant speed and audio controls on the steering wheel, dual illuminated mirrors in the sun visors, fog lamps, premium six-disc in-dash CD/MP3 player with two additional speakers, trip computer, carbon fiber center stack appliqué, fog lamps and 16-inch aluminum wheels. The SE is available with the V6 ($21,445) or V6 and all-wheel drive ($23,295).

The SEL ($19,400) adds automatic headlights, automatic temperature control, upgraded cloth interior, upgraded wood or piano black interior trim, leather wrapped steering wheel, analog clock, heated outside mirrors, keyless entry keypad, auto-dimming rear-view mirror and P225/50R17 tires on aluminum wheels. The SEL is also available with the V6 ($22,150) and with the V6 and all-wheel drive ($24,000).

A new Sport Appearance Package ($895) is offered on front-drive V6-powered models. It includes sport-tuned suspension, black chrome grille, decklid lip spoiler, P225/45R18 tires on aluminum wheels, dual chrome exhaust tips, a brushed aluminum radio surround, red seat inserts, and red stitching on the seats, steering wheel and center console.

Leather seating ($895) is available for the SE or SEL. Other options include a DVD-based navigation system ($1,895) that adds voice-activation for 2008, Sirius satellite radio ($195), rear spoiler ($295), heated front seats ($295), and a Moon and Tune Package ($795) with a power moonroof and Audiophile stereo with six-disc CD changer and eight speakers. Also new for 2008 are Ford Sync entertainment and communications system ($395) and ambient lighting ($295), which illuminates the front cupholders and front and rear footwells and is offered in seven colors.

Safety features on all models include dual-stage front airbags; seat-mounted, torso-protecting front side airbags; side curtain airbags for head protection in both rows; tire-pressure monitor; LATCH child-seat anchors; rear-door child-safety locks. ABS comes standard on all 2008 Fusion models. Traction control is standard on all-wheel-drive models, optional on SE and SEL front-drive models ($95). Rear obstacle detection is optional ($295).