10 Ford Fusion Competitors to Consider

2019 Ford Fusion front profile1 ・ Photo by Ford

The 2018 Ford Fusion mid-size sedan is available in a myriad of configurations, from the affordable $22,840 base model to pricey feature-laden variants. Meanwhile, there's a range of powertrains, including a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine — which isn't particularly efficient at 27 mpg combined but gets better mileage than other gasoline-only Fusion engines. There is also a hybrid version that hits 42 mpg and the plug-in hybrid has 26 miles of all-electric range. The Fusion also offers strong safety, with available all-wheel drive and an IIHS rating of "Good" in all tests with "Superior" front crash prevention when properly equipped, though its headlights are rated "Poor."

Does that add up to a winning combination? To see if there are better options out there, the editors at Autobytel have created a list of 10 Ford Fusion competitors to consider.

2019 Volkswagen Passat

Starting at $25,295, the Volkswagen Passat has reserved styling both inside and out that doesn’t call attention to itself but does provide for a roomy interior (especially in the rear seat). Materials are nice on higher-end versions, but lower end trims aren’t quite as lucky. The ride is very comfortable and handling is fairly good, but the Passat isn’t a German sports car.

All 2019 Passats are powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder motor that’s good for 29 miles per gallon combined. The Passat is rated Good in all tests by the IIHS but the passenger side small overlap, where it scored Marginal. Its headlights are rated Poor, and even when properly equipped it’s only rated Advanced (the middle grade of three) for front crash prevention.

Photo by Volkswagen

2019 Buick Regal Sportback

Given its starting price of $25,070, Buick is trying to position the Regal Sportback as a step above the other cars in the class, but the Buick can’t quite meet the mark in terms of interior materials, standard equipment, and outright performance, though it is spacious and quite comfortable. Thanks to its hatchback design, it is quite practical and can hold a ton of cargo, especially with the rear seats down.

A turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder is the most efficient Regal model with a combined fuel economy rating of 26 miles per gallon. The Regal Sportback has not yet been tested by the IIHS, but all the front-crash prevention systems including front pedestrian braking and forward collision alert are available, as is all-wheel drive.

Photo by General Motors

2018 Hyundai Sonata

Starting at $22,050 the Hyundai Sonata is a solid mid-size car with an attractive exterior, a good ride, plenty of standard features, and a great warranty. However, it doesn’t offer anything particularly exciting, with dull handling, less grip than its competitors, and mediocre acceleration from the base engine. The interior is roomy and pleasant enough, but the Sonata’s materials aren’t quite up to the best in the class.

The most economical model is powered by a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that earns it a combined fuel economy rating of 31 miles per gallon. The Sonata is rated Good in all tests by the IIHS, with Good headlights and Superior front crash prevention when properly equipped.

Photo by Hyundai

2019 Subaru Legacy

The 2019 Subaru Legacy starts at $22,545, making it one of the most affordable cars on our list, especially when you consider the standard all-wheel drive system. The interior is roomy but the materials aren’t the best, and the whole car is ready for an update.

The 2.5-liter flat-four’s combined fuel economy of 29 miles per gallon isn’t the highest in its class, but it is respectable when you consider the added weight and friction of the all-wheel drive system. The Legacy is rated Good in all tests by the IIHS, and it has Good headlights and Superior front crash prevention when properly equipped. If you’re looking for a safe and secure all-weather mid-size sedan, it’s hard to beat the Subaru Legacy.

Photo by Subaru

2019 Chevrolet Malibu

With a starting price of $22,090, the refreshed for 2019 Chevrolet Malibu is an attractive and comfortable mid-size sedan with a good ride and decent handling. The interior is attractive and usable with nice materials, but seems noisier than rivals when on the move.

The 1.5-liter four-cylinder is the most efficient gasoline-only powertrain, rated at 32 miles per gallon combined, while a hybrid with a 46 mpg combined rating is also available. In IIHS testing the Malibu is rated Good in all tests other than the passenger side small overlap test, in which it scored Marginal. Like several of its competitors, it earned a Poor rating for its headlights while having Superior front crash prevention when properly equipped.

Photo by General Motors

2019 Kia Optima

With a starting price of $22,900, the refreshed for 2019 Kia Optima finds itself among the best Ford Fusion competitors to consider thanks to its attractive design, standard features, driver assistance tech, and generally good driving experience.

The turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder with the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission is the most efficient gasoline powertrain with a combined fuel economy rating of 31 miles per gallon, while a hybrid with a combined rating of 41 mpg as well as a plug-in hybrid with an all-electric range of 29 miles are also available. In IIHS testing the Optima was rated Good in all tests, including Good headlights and Superior front crash prevention.

Photo by Kia

2019 Nissan Altima

There’s an all-new Nissan Altima for 2019, with an attractive exterior and a roomy comfortable interior for a starting price of $23,750. Inside there are a few hard plastics, but most materials are nice and the colors have been tweaked to provide a cabin that’s less drab than in previous models. Ride quality is good and handling is above average, though not quite best in class.

The naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder paired with the continuously variable transmission is the most frugal powertrain option with a combined fuel economy rating of 32 miles per gallon. The IIHS hasn't yet crash-tested the new 2019 Altima, but last year's model earned a Good rating in all tests with Acceptable headlights and Superior front crash prevention. All-wheel drive is newly available.

Photo by Nissan

2018 Mazda Mazda6

The Mazda6's starting price of $21,950 is among the lowest for a mid-size sedan. Furthermore, the Mazda6 is a good-looking car with an attractive and surprisingly roomy interior, very nimble handling that encourages you to have fun, and (finally for 2018) an available turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, though we think the chassis could handle the power a bit more boost would provide.

The most efficient model is the naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder paired with the six-speed automatic, rated at 29 miles per gallon combined. In IIHS testing, the Mazda6 is rated Good in all tests with Acceptable headlights and Superior front crash prevention when properly equipped.

Photo by Mazda

2019 Toyota Camry

Starting at $23,845 the Toyota Camry is an excellent choice for someone looking for an attractive, comfortable, reliable, and economical mid-size car. But it’s held back by the fact that, despite its looks, it isn’t at all sporty or exciting to drive.

The naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder paired with an eight-speed automatic is the most efficient all-gasoline powertrain in the lineup (and also the most efficient non-hybrid powertrain on our list) with a combined fuel economy rating of 34 miles per gallon, while a hybrid with an impressive combined rating of up to 52 mpg is also available. The Camry is rated Good in all tests by the IIHS with Good headlights and Superior front crash prevention.

Photo by Toyota

2019 Honda Accord

Starting at $23,570 the Honda Accord is our favorite Ford Fusion competitor to consider, thanks to its roomy interior, reasonable economy, excellent handling, quick acceleration (with the optional turbocharged 2.0-liter engine), and overall fun to drive nature. There isn’t much to complain about, though if we had to nitpick we’d say that the base 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine sometimes feels a bit pokey and that the ride might be a bit firm for some people.

That 1.5-liter engine when paired with the continuously variable automatic transmission is the most economical Accord, with a fuel economy rating of 33 miles per gallon combined. The IIHS rates the Accord sedan Good in all tests, with Acceptable headlights and Superior front crash prevention.

Photo by Honda