If you’re an avid cyclist and are considering the 2013 Ford Fusion as your next car, it looks like you’ll want to invest in a roof-mounted bike rack. The design of the Fusion’s rear end presents two issues that make hanging your bike off the back a bad idea. (David Undercoffler / Los Angeles Times)
The second issue is there’s no place to hook one of the three sets of straps these bike racks have. One set goes over the top of the trunk, one set to the sides and the final set hooks under the bottom of the trunk lid. (David Undercoffler / Los Angeles Times)
One problem. In the name of crash safety, Ford made the inside of the Fusion’s trunk lid artificially thick, to absorb energy in the event you’re rear-ended. (David Undercoffler / Los Angeles Times)
Certainly a laudable move, but it prevents you from hooking that third set of straps under the trunk lid. (David Undercoffler / Los Angeles Times)
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The only other spot these straps could attach are at the bottom of the bumper where the Fusion’s exhaust pipe exits. Not a great idea to leave the strap here due to potential heat coming out of the exhaust. (David Undercoffler / Los Angeles Times)