Spy shots of the 2023 Ford Fusion: new sedan's U.S. launch in doubt

Ford engineers were spotted with a prototype of the Fusion sedan.

Previously thought to be a hatchback that will be sold in the U.S. as the Fusion Active, the latest spy shots reveal that the car is a conventional sedan. This means that it is unlikely to be sold in the U.S., as Ford is focusing on SUVs, pickups, and utilities.

The new Fusion will certainly be introduced to the Chinese market, where this body style remains in vogue (China also has a redesigned Taurus sedan). It is also possible that the Fusion will be sold in Europe as a redesigned Mondeo, a badge that was sold outside of North America.

The car is most likely a cousin of the new Lincoln Zephyr, which was unveiled last fall and developed specifically for the Chinese market. This would mean that it would roughly match the dimensions of the Zephyr, including a 114-inch wheelbase and an overall length of 196 inches.

The Zephyr will initially be offered with a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 and an 8-speed automatic, and the new Fusion will likely be the same. A hybrid powertrain may eventually be offered as well.

The debut is expected later this year, but we already have an idea what it will look like, given its similar design theme to Ford's Evos crossover, also developed specifically for the Chinese market.

But what about the successor to the Fusion for the US market? Ford is still expected to offer a soft-roader-like vehicle that combines elements of a car and a crossover. Don't be surprised if such a model is badged Fusion Active. The Active name is the one Ford uses for its soft-loaders sold abroad, like the Fiesta Active and Focus Active.

Stay tuned for updates as development progresses.