Built on a stretched and widened version of the Mazda 6 platform, the Fusion has a healthy dose of the Mazda's athleticism, but none of its legroom and shoulder room shortages in the backseat. A pair of adults will be content in the back of a Fusion, making it a good choice for taller families. Ride quality is smooth, even with the focus on handling, and the cabin stays quiet on the highway. In NHTSA frontal-impact crash tests, the 2007 Ford Fusion earned four stars for driver and front-passenger protection. In side-impact testing, the midsize sedan earned five stars for front-occupant protection and four stars for rear occupants.