The Best Used Ford to Buy

With good fuel economy and responsive handling, the 2012 to 2013 Fusion is the best used Ford to buy.
Written by Holden Easterbrook
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Updated on Jan 20, 2023
The 2012 to 2013 Fusion models are the best used Fords to buy due to their good fuel economy, excellent handling, and controlled ride.
If you’re looking for a midsize sedan that’s both attractive and practical, look no further than the Ford Fusion. While it may not have a V6 engine or a coupe body option, the Fusion is a reliable vehicle that will get you where you need to go without fuss. 
The best model years for the Fusion were 2012 and 2013, which means there are plenty of used Fusions available at reasonable prices.
To make sure you find the car that best fits your needs, the
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Jerry
is here. In this article, you’ll find everything you need to know about the Fusion, why it’s the best used Ford to buy, and how to quickly compare
Ford insurance costs
.
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The best used Ford to buy: 2012 to 2013 Fusion

Ford has been a staple of the American automotive industry since the beginning, and the Fusion may just be their best vehicle to date. Eye-catching and functional, this midsize sedan has something to offer for everyone. 

What makes the 2012 to 2013 Fusion a good used car?

There’s a lot that goes into finding a good used car, but don’t just take us at our word that the Fusion is the best used Ford on the market.
When ranking Ford models, we break the vehicles down by using four metrics: true cost to own, safety features, reliability, and customization. Here’s what those categories mean:
  • True cost to own: Paying a dealership or private seller is not the only time you’ll be spending money on a Ford. Between regular maintenance and insurance, there are a lot of hidden costs when it comes to owning a car. The best used Ford needs to be both affordable when you first purchase it and for all the years to come.
  • Safety features: Used vehicles can sometimes mean out-of-date safety features. When looking for the best used Ford, you need a vehicle that was leading the pack at the time when it comes to features and devices meant to protect you and your passengers.
  • Reliability: Though more affordable than a new vehicle, buying a used car can sometimes feel like a gamble. You need a Ford that you could depend on the moment you got behind the wheel and for all the miles to come.
  • Customization and styling: Buying a used vehicle comes at the expense of being able to tailor the car to your specific needs and tastes. That means the best used Ford needs to have plenty of body styles and trim levels.

The true cost of owning a 2012 to 2013 Ford Fusion

The true cost of ownership for a vehicle factors in the purchase price and costs of operation (maintenance, depreciation, loan, etc.).
Unfortunately, buying a used car means more frequent and expensive maintenance than you would need to deal with if you had purchased your vehicle new. However, don’t be discouraged. Used vehicles are cheaper to insure than new ones, and the Fusion’s sedan design won’t raise your insurance rates like a luxury or sports vehicle would.
Let’s take a closer look at the true cost of owning a Ford Fusion.

Purchase price

The average purchase price for a 2012 to 2013 Ford Fusion is between $8,900 and $16,000. However, the price can range as far as nearly $25,000 for higher-end models, like the 2013
Fusion Titanium

Costs of operation

The total expense a loan will add to your costs of operation is very dependent on the terms of the loan. If you have good or excellent credit and begin with a sizeable down payment, your monthly payments and accrued interest will be manageable.
As for the depreciation of your vehicle, that can also vary based on the wear and tear it experiences as you use it. However, the rule of thumb is that a used vehicle will lose 15-20% of its value each year. 
Finally, we come to maintenance, where the Ford Fusion receives a 3 out of 5 stars from J.D. Power for reliability. While that may seem low, keep in mind that it’s an average rating—meaning that the Fusion is just as dependable as most cars on the road. 
Where the Fusion shines, however, is in the availability and cost of its parts. As a popular vehicle that doesn’t have too many bells and whistles, the Ford Fusion has an easy time finding replacement parts. What’s better, by not qualifying as a luxury or sports vehicle, the parts for the Fusion are fairly affordable and have plenty of cheaper, aftermarket options available.
 Key Takeaway With a reasonable purchase price and average reliability combined with affordable replacement parts, the costs of owning a 2012 to 2013 Ford Fusion are still less than those of a new vehicle. 

Safety features of the 2012 to 2013 Ford Fusion

How safe a car is depends a lot on the model year. Cutting-edge safety features in an early 2000s vehicle are very different from the newest 2022 models. Even so, a high rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) will still hold water.
Luckily, the 2013 Ford Fusion has both organizations standing behind it. The IIHS awarded the Fusion the
Top Safety Pick of the Year
in 2013 and the NHTSA gave the vehicle
five out of five stars
.
What earned the Fusion this recognition for outstanding safety is a frame designed with driver and passenger protection in mind along with a suite of additional safety features:
  • Driver/front knee airbags
  • Front head curtain airbag
  • Adaptive cruise control
  • Automatic high beams
  • Lane-keeping system
  • Active park assist with a forward sensing system
  • BLIS with cross-traffic alert
  • Emergency and security services

Is the 2012 to 2013 Ford Fusion a reliable used car? 

The Ford Fusion falls squarely in the middle when it comes to reliability. It’s important to keep in mind, though, that the reliability of a vehicle isn’t entirely on the car. 
A vehicle with a five out of five reliability score will not last long without routine maintenance. Similarly, a car plagued by performance issues could easily be trusted if you are constantly replacing worn-out components and regularly inspecting the vehicle for issues.
At the end of the day, you need to consider how much care you’re willing to put into your vehicle. All cars need a minimal amount of upkeep and knowing what maintenance your vehicle needs and when is an important aspect of responsible ownership.
On average, with a standard amount of care and maintenance, a 2013 Ford Fusion will last you 200,000 miles. How much work you intend to put in the vehicle will either boost or take away from that figure. 

Customization and styling

So far we’ve talked about costs, safety, and reliability, but what about style? Your vehicle is a great way to show off your personal tastes or make a statement. However, your options are limited to what the manufacturer offers unless you’re willing to pay top dollar for custom work.
While the 2013 Ford Fusion lacks a coupe version, there are still alternatives available for the base S model:
  • SE
    —mainly comfort upgrades with three engine options
  • Titanium
    —for those that want a sportier vehicle with a turbocharged engine
  • Hybrid SE and Titanium—similar to the base version of these trim levels, but with a hybrid engine for far better fuel economy

How to find affordable insurance for a used Ford

New or used, standard model or Hybrid Titanium—you need to have more than liability insurance if you want to protect your vehicle. However, there are a lot of insurance companies out there with dozens of policies on offer for each. With so many options available, how are you supposed to make the right choice? Easy: get
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The average Jerry user sees $887 in savings every year after using the app, and the savings don’t stop there. Jerry will continue to find you new policy quotes every time you need to renew your current policy. There has never been an easier time to insure your vehicle and save money while doing so. Download the Jerry app today and get in on the savings!
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