The Ford Fusion has presence, unusual among midsize sedans that tend to blend in to the scenery. Some people, including us, like the aggressive, angular look of the Fusion, some don't. We'd like to note that polarizing designs are often more successful than bland designs that neither offend nor excite anyone. In short, we think this is a good-looking car.

The styling features large headlights and a bold grille. Three thick chrome bars across the grille have a razor-like appearance and make the car look more upmarket than its pricing might suggest. The front bumper almost disappears as there are two chrome strips below it that match the ones on the grille.

When the Fusion was first introduced, Ford executives said its three-bar horizontal grille would become the signature styling cue for Ford cars. Since then it has been seen on concept vehicles, as well as the Edge crossover vehicle and the new Taurus and newly restyled Focus. This distinctive grille catches your eye on the road, distinguishing the Fusion from other mid-size sedans.

The sides of the car are crisply separated from the hood, roof and rear deck. A fold along the top edges of the front fenders runs all the way back along the edge of the roof to the rear deck.

The Fusion features a wide track, which makes it stand out on the freeway when viewed from behind. A high trunk line and large triangular taillight clusters with chrome trim give the rear end a classy look.

The overall effect is pleasing. The chrome on the car contrasts nicely with the body work, especially on dark-colored models or red. Gaps between body panels seem a bit larger than those on some of the other cars in the class.

All-wheel-drive models have AWD badging on the rear deck. While the 17-inch wheels that drive the AWD SEL models are the same design, they have a tell-tale hash mark to identify all-wheel-drive models.

The Sport Appearance Package features a black chrome grille, color-keyed fog lights, a unique rear spoiler, chrome exhaust tips, and most notably, 18-inch aluminum wheels on lower profile tires.

The Fusion fits into the Ford car lineup between the compact Focus and the big Taurus sedan. It has much the same dimensions as its competitors. Although the Fusion shares its basic floorpan with the Mazda6, its wheelbase is two inches longer and it is an inch or so wider. Ford also says Fusion has a stiffer bodyshell than the Mazda6, which is good because a rigid structure is the key to a smooth ride and responsive handling.