Jump LinksThe Fusion's Sport Mode Sharpened It Up SignificantlyFord has left the sedan behind as of 2020, the brand instead having bet its future primarily on SUV-type vehicles and crossovers, whether it be a full EV or a possible range of future hybrids. The Ford Fusion was the automaker's last sedan offering to be sold in the US, though unlike the Fiesta and Focus models offered during the 2010s, it was never available in ST form.That doesn't mean a performance-focused version of the car was never available, however, as a forgotten variant that was sold until shortly before the model was axed filled the gap perfectly. CarBuzz decided to explore the story of Ford's forgotten final sports sedan.This article covers the Ford Fusion V6 Sport, and why it was the ST model of the car that US audiences never got. The Fusion Sport's last model year was 2019. The Fusion Was Ford's Mainstream Sedan Offering FordThe Fusion was Ford's mid-size sedan offering for just over a decade, the model first introduced in 2006 as a partial successor to the long-standing Taurus, which was classed as a full-size car but was dropped due to declining sales. The latter ended up being resurrected once more in 2008. The Fusion was essentially the US equivalent of the Mondeo, which was sold in most other areas of the world, and is still offered in China. Two generations of the vehicle were built during its 14-year tenure, with the second-gen model debuting in 2013.FordIt went up against the likes of the Toyota Camry and Chevrolet Malibu in the mid-size sedan segment, with the second-gen car mostly available with a range of four-cylinder engines. These varied in power, with naturally aspirated variants sitting at the bottom end of the range and turbocharged units coming with higher-priced models. There was also a hybrid variant available, which promised more fuel efficiency than its standard ICE siblings. While models with the turbocharged 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-pot had up to 245 hp at their disposal, they couldn't be described as sports sedans. This was bad news for fans of the smaller Fiesta and Focus ST models who were after a sports sedan equivalent. Luckily, even though it wasn't graced with the ST name, there was a model that could fulfill these fantasies. The Fusion Sport Was A Proper Sports Sedan FordFor most of their run, neither of the two Ford Fusion generations was available with a truly sporty model. The car was geared more toward the family-oriented driver, and built to make short work of long highway trips while carrying a generous amount of cargo. This all changed in 2017 though, as Ford introduced the Fusion Sport. Unlike the other models in the range, the Sport did away with any of the four-cylinder units and utilized a mighty 2.7-liter twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6.This provided a meaty 325 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque, which was transferred to the road via an all-wheel-drive system that afforded the car all the traction it needed. A manual transmission wasn't available, with a six-speed automatic being used instead. This meant that the Fusion could also be used as a comfortable cruiser, though it would burst to life at the touch of a button. The Fusion's Sport Mode Sharpened It Up Significantly FordLocated in the middle of the rotary gear selector on the center console, the Sport button invoked Sport mode, and transformed the Fusion in seven different ways to provide a more engaging driving experience. The headline feature was the car's adaptive suspension setup, which meant the dampers stiffened significantly when the mode was activated. Not only does this tighten up the car's handling, but it also helps to reduce body roll through corners.The steering is also sharpened up to ensure the Fusion feels more responsive, something further emphasized by the quicker throttle response. The transmission is also tweaked, both in automatic and manual modes. In auto mode, the gearbox makes sure to quickly grab lower gears to ensure revs are kept up to increase pick-up response, while gears are held longer through corners to ensure the vehicle remains nicely balanced.FordThe downshifts are also rev-matched when braking, which helps keep the car stable when attacking braking zones. For those looking for a more engaging driving experience, shift paddles are mounted to the back of the steering wheel so that you can shift gears manually. To further up the drama quotient inside the cabin, the noise-canceling system is tuned to provide a louder engine sound. The final element is minor, with a Sport icon appearing in the driver's information cluster. While not quite on the same level as the more chuckable Focus and Fiesta ST hot hatches, the Fusion Sport's enhancements help to ensure it's a very capable sports sedan. Should you fancy your own, you can get a hefty discount on the used market compared to what they cost new. The Short-Lived Sports Sedan Is An Affordable Proposition FordWith Ford electing to move away from the sedan market as the 2020s beckoned, it slowly started to wind down production of the Fusion. The Sport was one of the first trims to meet its end, as it was dropped after the 2019 model year. Fortunately, its failure to make a big impact on the sports sedan market now means they can be had for a bargain in 2026.While earlier 2017 examples can be had for around $12,600 according to Kelley Blue Book, later MY2019 cars are quite a lot more expensive at a shade under $18,000. The main reason for this is due to the Fusion getting a facelift for 2019, which introduced slightly altered front and rear styling and the brand's Co-Pilot 360 driver-assistance system. This includes blind-spot assist, emergency braking, and lane-keep assist, so it's a good option for the safety-minded drivers out there. For those not so bothered, the earlier models offer a nice discount for the same road performance.