Back in 2017, Ford unveiled its Fusion Sport, a 325-hp all-wheel drive sedan with an MSRP of $41,000. While this may sound a bit pricey for a Ford, enthusiasts who required a family sedan and didn't want a crossover were given the opportunity to spend thousands less than a comparatively equipped BMW 3 or 5 Series. The Ford Taurus SHO, meanwhile, is both bigger and slightly more expensive than its Fusion sibling. In other words, the Fusion Sport fit the bill for many. Unfortunately, it will not return for the 2020 model year, as confirmed by CarsDirect.

Ordering guides for the 2020 model year confirm this but the Fusion itself won't be discontinued just yet. A Ford spokesperson has confirmed the mid-size sedan will be back for 2020 and that the Fusion Sport's discontinuation is being done to simplify the lineup and to focus on more popular styles. So it goes.

The Fusion Sport is powered by a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 with that aforementioned horsepower rating and 380 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed automatic distributes power to all four wheels. While nearly as luxury as the top trim Titanium, the Sport also featured performance-themed design cues such as a gloss black mesh grille, dark 19-inch wheels, a low-profile spoiler, and quad-tip exhaust system. Leather seats adorned the interior and they also incorporate suede-like inserts and carbon fiber-themed trim. Performance? Try 0-60 mph time in around 5.3 seconds. Not bad.

Although Ford doesn't publish the take-rate for specific trim levels, the Sport's hefty price tag may have been its ultimate undoing. The luxurious Titanium trim, also equipped with AWD, is around $3,600 less.

The Fusion Sport may have simply been too expensive for a majority of customers, despite its impressive performance. The Fusion Sport is not the only performance-focused Ford to be sent to the graveyard in recent times. The Fiesta ST, Focus ST, and Focus RS were all dropped for 2018. The 365-hp Taurus SHO (as well as the Taurus lineup in general) will also be gone after this year. But if a performance Ford is still your thing, the Mustang isn't going anywhere and the Edge ST and Explorer ST SUVs are on dealership lots.