Does the Ford Fusion use a Mazda engine?

The Ford Fusion does not run on a Mazda-branded engine. It uses Ford-designed powerplants, many of which share heritage with Mazda's MZR family through a long-standing Ford–Mazda collaboration.

Powertrain overview and the Mazda connection

Here are the main engines that powered the Fusion across its production years, along with how they relate to Mazda’s engine lineage.

• 2.3L Duratec I4 (MZR-based design shared with Mazda’s 2.3L family)


• 2.5L Duratec I4 (also part of the MZR-derived lineup)


• 3.0L Duratec V6 (Ford-designed, not a Mazda engine)


• 3.5L Duratec V6 (Ford-designed, used in higher-trim Fusions)


• 2.0L EcoBoost I4 (Ford-developed turbocharged option, not Mazda-based)

In practice, these four-cylinder engines in the Fusion trace their architecture to Mazda’s MZR family, but Ford produced and tuned them for the Fusion under its Duratec branding. The V6 options are principally Ford designs. This means the Fusion benefited from a cross-brand engineering partnership, but it did not use a Mazda engine as-is.

The Mazda connection in more detail

The link to Mazda comes from the MZR engine family, which originated from a collaboration between Ford and Mazda in the 1990s. Ford rebranded the design as Duratec for many of its vehicles, including the Fusion. Consequently, some Fusion engines—particularly the 2.3L and 2.5L inline-4s—share core design features with Mazda’s MZR family, while remaining Ford-manufactured and serviced.

Key points about the shared design

• The MZR/Duratec relationship stems from a long-running Ford–Mazda collaboration.


• The Fusion’s four-cylinder engines borrow architecture from Mazda’s MZR family but are produced and tuned by Ford.


• Higher-performance V6 options in the Fusion are primarily Ford-designed Duratec engines, not Mazda-based.

So, while the Fusion does not use a Mazda-branded engine, several of its four-cylinder engines have a Mazda-derived design lineage. Ford’s engine lineup for the Fusion blends this shared heritage with Ford’s own engineering choices for performance and efficiency.

Summary

In summary, the Ford Fusion does not rely on a Mazda engine in the strict sense. It uses Ford-designed engines, many of which trace their lineage to Mazda’s MZR family through a cooperative history between Ford and Mazda. This means the Fusion benefits from Mazda-inspired engineering, but powers the car with Ford-built components. For most buyers, the practical takeaway is that the Fusion’s reliability and performance come from Ford’s Duratec/ EcoBoost lineup rather than a Mazda-branded powerplant.

What engine does a Ford Fusion use?

The Ford Fusion is available with several engine options, including different gas, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid powertrains. Common gas engines include a 2.5L naturally aspirated 4-cylinder, and 1.5L and 2.0L EcoBoost turbo engines. There is also a hybrid option with a 2.0L Atkinson-cycle engine and electric motor, and a plug-in hybrid version with a similar powertrain. 
Gas engines

• 2.5L 4-cylinder: The base model often comes with this engine, which is a naturally aspirated engine with Ti-VCT (Twin Independent Variable Cam Timing). 
• 1.5L EcoBoost: A turbocharged engine available on mid-level trims. 
• 2.0L EcoBoost: A more powerful turbocharged engine available on higher trims. 
• 2.7L EcoBoost V6: A twin-turbocharged V6 was available on the Sport model for high performance. 

Hybrid and plug-in hybrid engines 

• Hybrid: These models use a 2.0L i-VCT Atkinson-cycle engine paired with an electric motor.
• Plug-in Hybrid (Energi): This version also features a 2.0L i-VCT Atkinson-cycle engine and electric motor, but is designed to be charged externally for electric-only driving capability. 

How to find your specific engine

• Check the vehicle's hood: There is often a sticker on the inside of the hood that lists the specific engine information, including Reddit users mention. 
• Look at the vehicle's VIN: The VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) can be used to look up the vehicle's original specifications, including the engine. 
• Consult the owner's manual: The owner's manual will have the specific engine details for your car.

Who makes Mazda's engines?

Mazda designs and manufactures its own engines, primarily in its facilities in Japan and Mexico. However, it has also formed joint ventures and partnerships with other companies, such as a previous collaboration with Ford and a current one with Toyota for the U.S. market, which has resulted in some shared or adapted engine technologies.
 

• Internal Manufacturing: Mazda's primary engine production hubs are in Japan and Mexico. Japan focuses on the design and production of a variety of engines, including the company's unique rotary engines, while the facility in Salamanca, Mexico, manufactures engines for the North and South American markets. 
• Ford Partnership: In the past, Mazda and Ford had a deep collaboration. Some older MZR engines were a shared design and were still built by Mazda, with Ford's EcoBoost 4-cylinder family based on the MZR engine family. 
• Toyota Partnership: Mazda has a partnership with Toyota, which includes the Mazda Toyota Manufacturing USA facility in Huntsville, Alabama. This plant builds the Toyota-designed hybrid powertrain for the Mazda CX-50 hybrid. 
• Other Collaborations: Mazda has also collaborated with other automakers on engine technology. For example, it has been part of a joint venture to develop new engine technologies with companies like GAC Motor and others in China. It also uses rebadged PSA (Peugeot Citroën) diesel engines in some of its vehicles, such as the 1.6L Y6 engine. 

Does Ford use Mazda engines?

It was co-developed with Ford, who owned a controlling stake in Mazda at the time. Ford uses it as their 1.8 L to 2.5 L Duratec world engine and holds a license to develop engines based on the L-series in perpetuity.

Does the Ford Fusion have a Mazda engine?

Gasoline Hybrid:
The Fusion was the first production car to use Ford's three-bar grille. Available in S, SE, and SEL trims, the standard engine on each was the 160 hp (119 kW) Mazda-designed 2.3 L Duratec 23 I4, paired with either a 5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmission, both also designed by Mazda.