American sedans are, generally, a thing of the past these days. Turn back the clock a few decades, and the sedan was one of the most popular vehicle segments on American roads, until the SUV and, to a lesser extent, the pickup truck swooped in and began eroding the four-door car's long-standing market share. Nowadays, just a couple of sedans remain, namely the newly resurrected Dodge Charger and both the Cadillac CT4 and CT5.Ford doesn't produce a single four-door car these days. It just so happens that the final four-door Ford, the Fusion, was the most reliable sedan the automaker has produced since the 2011 axing of the Crown Victoria. The most reliable 2020 Fusion was the base "S" model. However, there were a few other aspects to the 2020 Fusion S that made it exceedingly dependable, as well. Ford's Meat & Potatoes Midsize Sedan FordThe Fusion's final model year, 2020, marked the nameplate's 14th year in production. When it was introduced, the 2006 Fusion was meant to replace the Taurus, which was about to make the move from a midsize to a fullsize sedan. The Fusion's platform, the Ford CD3, was largely developed by Mazda, which called it the G Platform. Ford took the G Platform, extended and widened it by a few inches, and began using it for its then-new Fusion.Ford In 2010, the Fusion received a mid-cycle refresh. Both its front and rear fascias were altered, along with its interior styling. The sedan also gained some new powertrain options and an all-new six-speed automatic transmission. The facelifted Fusion also boasted an all-new, athletic trim level called the Sport. Sport-trimmed Fusions came standard with a 3.5-liter V6 producing 263 horsepower, a rear spoiler, and a special interior, among other things.FordBy 2013, the Fusion was due for a new generation. The second-gen model's style was very different from its predecessor's, mainly due to Ford's "One Ford" initiative, which brought together designers from the company's studios in the US, Germany, and the United Kingdom. The Fusion now mostly used the EcoBoost turbocharged engine family, except for a 2.5-liter inline-four, which belonged to the older Duratec series.FordThe second-gen Fusion underwent a facelift in 2017. Its styling was slightly refreshed, and the Sport grade returned, this time powered by a twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6. Another styling update was undertaken in 2019, and Ford added its Co-Pilot 360 driver assistance suite as standard. For 2020, the Fusion's final model year, the lineup was condensed to remove "waste" grades, such as the Sport, Hybrid S, and Energi (PHEV) SE model.However, the ultra-reliable, base Fusion S remained. Here's Why It's So Reliable FordThe bulk of the 2020 Ford Fusion S's reliability lies in its engine, the 2.5-liter Duratec inline-four, also known as the Duratec 25. The mill itself had been a staple on Fusion's options list since 2010 and was originally developed by Mazda as the Mazda L5-VE, part of the Japanese automaker's MZR engine family. Ford's iteration remained virtually unchanged, except for small differences in engine mapping/tuning. Ford's setup was more geared toward smooth operation and fuel efficiency, whereas Mazda's L5-VE was intended for slightly sportier use.One of the hallmarks of the Duratec 25's reliability is its use of sequential multiport fuel injection rather than direct injection. Using port injection helps the mill avoid excessive carbon buildup, a common issue with direct-injected engines. The Duratec 25 found in the 2020 Fusion S also lacks a turbo, meaning the motor is much less stressed than one featuring any sort of forced induction. Its i-VCT variable valve timing setup is also notably reliable.YT: DeLo Enterprises The engine's construction is also notably robust. Both its block and cylinder head are cast from aluminum, and its cylinders are walled with cast-iron liners to help prevent wear and increase heat isolation. While not forged, the cast-iron crankshaft is known to be strong, along with fracture-split, forged, powdered-metal connecting rods. Because it lacks a turbocharger or hot tuning, the Duratec 25 is understressed overall, which means less force acting on the various components, generally causing the parts to last longer.Thanks to numerous strength- and longevity-improving features, the Duratec 25 actually made it to Ward's 10 Best Engines list in 2010, though in the powerplant's hybrid setup. Just How Reliable Is It? FordIn short: very. The 2020 model year is regarded as one of the most reliable for the Fusion as a whole, especially the second generation. Its final model year also seems to have the fewest reported problems and owner complaints. According to RepairPal, the average annual repair cost is roughly $581, though this figure includes all 2020 Fusion grades, all of which sport EcoBoost engines, save for the base S.Let's see how the 2020 Fusion S stacks up against a few of its competitors in real-world reliability. For this comparison, we are using Kelley Blue Book's Consumer Reviews resource:The 2020 Fusion S tied the Honda Accord for reliability,a massive feat in and of itself, especially for an American car. There's Not Much Included YT: DeLo EnterprisesBeing the base-spec grade, the 2020 Ford Fusion S doesn't cater to the luxury-minded buyer. Its seats are cloth and manually adjustable, and its infotainment screen is a 4.2-inch non-touchscreen LCD. All radio and HVAC controls are buttons and dials, which, to us, is a good thing. Its gauge cluster is fully analog, save for a small LCD screen sitting in the middle. Air conditioning, electric windows, and electric mirrors are also standard. However, the silver lining in having virtually no options is that there's much less to go wrong, and no moonroof to leak. Here's What You'll Pay For One FordIf you're like this author, you might have a partiality to base-model cars. Fewer features mean less to go wrong, and as long as you have the creature comfort basics, what more could you want? Plus, when it comes specifically to the 2020 Fusion S, the base model happens to be the most reliable. According to current pricing trends, an example in average condition with average odometer mileage fetches about $14,182 on the open market.To expound on that average price, let's take a look at a few for sale right now: $9,950 in Illinois with 99,921 miles $10,450 in Illinois with 88,743 miles $14,700 in Michigan with 73,276 miles Judging by the listings above, it's safe to assume that a savings range of $11,000 to $16,000 would be enough to cover the cost of the car, taxes, and registration fees. Of course, the 2020 Fusion S is also just six years old, meaning many banks would still finance it, albeit with a slightly higher interest rate. Should You Buy One? Via: FordIn our opinion, the facts speak for themselves. The 2020 Ford Fusion S isn't all that pretty, exciting, or interesting. But it packs loads of reliability and simplicity into its bones, all while still offering enough to keep its occupants comfortable. Its current pricing is also agreeable for most folks, and can even be financed if need be. If you need a car that won't cause a fuss, but will get you from one end of the earth to another, the 2020 Ford Fusion S is a strong contender.