You know the excitement you had as a kid the night before Christmas or your birthday as you literally bubbled over with excitement.

You couldn’t sleep, you couldn’t eat. The new day couldn’t come fast enough.

That’s the way I was feeling the evening before my very first road test 14 years ago when I was destined to receive the keys to a BMW 750iL, the flagship luxury sedan—Munich’s best.

The butterflies in my stomach tickled, the clock seemed to be set on slow.

Finally, daybreak came. I was not disappointed and the V-12 powered beauty with power everything was mine for a week.

I had a similar experience recently, but it wasn’t a $100,000-plus automobile I was getting.

This was a test drive in the real world and not that of a lottery winner.

I was going to get the ride of the masses—an everyday car fit for everyday people, yet I was still getting anxious.

That’s because I was getting behind the wheel of a Ford for the first time in quite a few years. And the car I was being entrusted with was the new Fusion.

So, why the excitement?

This was a test without any pretence. A real life turn at a car plenty of North Americans buy.

Plus, this was the leading edge of the “new” Ford.

What was the result?

Let’s just say I was reminded by all the birthday and Christmas gifts I received over the years from well-meaning relatives that didn’t quite fit, weren’t the right style, or didn’t possess the appropriate cachet.

Then I thought of how my kids tossed aside the toys given them in favour of the brightly coloured packaging they came in.

That hurt, just when you thought you had got it right and found what they actually wanted, they go for the wrapping.

How does that equate with the 2010 Fusion?

It meant the view from the curb beat the one from behind the steering wheel.

That didn’t mean the car was a total failure, but just a disappointment when the exterior made me expect so much more.

The looks were right up there with the crisp European styling the Ford designers across the Atlantic manage to pull off time and time again.

The three-banded chrome grille—the Fusion’s trademark—has been beefed up with much wider strips making it look more sophisticated and well finished.

The effect is worn like a finely tailored garment. It fits well, looks balanced and is very appealing.

Too bad the effect doesn’t transfer inside and under the hood.

The Fusion’s cabin is rather mundane inside, probably styled for an off the rack, one size fits all customer base from middle America.

For a start the dashboard speedometer dial lacks panache and border on appearing cheap as they rest behind a plastic lens cover.

Flanking the speedometer is a collection of readouts conveying other traditional information such as engine temperature, but they lack any interesting animation that would help say this was a high tech auto.

Striking up the bland even further was the centre stack of controls for the climate control and entertainment system.

The resulting design would not have looked out of place in a low-end Ford Ranger, not a sedan belonging to a company that is desperate to pull its way out of a quagmire of red ink.

The big plus on the inside was the ample passenger room for the rear seats. This is a car you wouldn’t mind being deposited in for long road trips, even when its broiling outside since the air conditioning system beat back the oppressive California heat and would have attracted a flock of penguins in short order when cranked to the max.

But just don’t expect the Fusion to get your destination in a hurry. And especially watch out for highway on ramps, because when I tried to summon some oomph from the 2.5 litre, 175 horse power, in-line four cylinder it all but abandoned me.

In some cases there can be a delay and a sudden rush of momentum. But I waited and waited and still nothing as I entered the Interstate where cars were rushing by at the highway velocity I so dearly wanted to match, not because of the latent Steve McQueen/boy racer inside me but for safety’s sake.

The power did come, eventually. But it seemed like an eternity when you are contemplating eternity with a semi trailer looming larger and larger in your rear view mirror.

I am pretty confident if you go up a trim level or two and shell out the extra cash for the 3.0 litre V6 that kicks out 240 horses or 3.5 litre all wheel drive-equipped V6 with 263 horse power it would solve any performance anxiety moments.

But this car is really aimed for the middle of the road customer who is lured by the $21,499 base price.

For that you get a serviceable car, but one that doesn’t live up to the exterior billing.

Too bad, but a promising situation if Ford manages to get the balance right.

And with the competition out there among domestic car makers you have to expect Ford to ultimately achieve that fine fusion of two worlds in one package.

n editor@southdeltaleader.com