Honda & Driver Ranks Fusion 2nd in Comparo

[mustang84]

The Rundown: Camry - 4th Sonata - 3rd Fusion - 2nd Accord - 1st They moan about the Fusion's fit-and-finish, but I've heard from many that the Fusion has higher quality materials than the Accord. When they first reviewed the Five Hundred, they said the same thing and then later on did a 180 and praised it for its high quality materials. I'm sure the 0-60 numbers were what swung it though...the Fusion really needs that 3.5L. But look at the price difference between the Accord and Fusion...$4500! That's a fairly hefty number that may make or break a sale for some families.

[The O.C.]

Probably a legit ranking......I'd be more inclined to pick the Fusion because of the xtra dose of style....but damn I have to admit, the Honda Accord (an L4 even) I drove recently was incredibly competent, drove sweetly, handled crisply (but had crappy tires) and had great fit-and-finish.... Where was the G6 (or even Malibu) in this comparo??????????

[pow]

"Toyota Camry XLE V-6... Lows: Too AARP in its control responses, too Martha Stewart in attitude." :lol: As far as the Fusion v. Accord, I suppose its a matter of character and perfection. Personally, I'd take the louder, but cooler-looking car.

[regfootball]

the fusion has a really nice interior in its price class and my new FIVE HUNDRED makes the Camry look like a PILE OF HORSE SH!T. Edited October 27, 2005 by regfootball

[Cory Wolfe]

I agree with that ranking... And I'm glad they didn't test the G6 and Malibu as we all know they'd place them last. They might have a chance to beat out the Camry since it royally sucks (IMO) and maybe even the Sonata if C&D is feeling slightly american. The G6 that is. I doubt the Malibus good for much since the G6 has a better interior, much better styling, and is just a better overal car, IMO. So, if they did, I'd say... 6: Malibu 5: Camry 4: G6 3: Sonata 2: Fusion 1: Accord Yeah, I think that's what we could probably expect from C&D.

[Northstar]

I didn't read the article, as I only have about 5 minutes break from my big english term paper, but if they complained about the fit-and-finish then that doesn't mean the materials weren't good. The materials could be first class, but if they don't fit and align right and look bad, then they have bad fit-and-finish regardless of whether they are high quality.

[pow]

I didn't read the article, as I only have about 5 minutes break from my big english term paper, but if they complained about the fit-and-finish then that doesn't mean the materials weren't good. The materials could be first class, but if they don't fit and align right and look bad, then they have bad fit-and-finish regardless of whether they are high quality.

[post="35288"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

"Finish" could indicate material used. But, yeah, they were complaining about the exterior panel gaps, paricularly the distance between the hood and grille.

[sciguy_0504]

How Ford positioned the bars on the grille makes it look like there's something wrong with it. The grille looks good on a black car because you don't notice the difference in spacing but on any other color it stands out. Personally, I think the ranking is spot on. I might even list the Fusion at #1.

[CSpec]

How Ford positioned the bars on the grille makes it look like there's something wrong with it.  The grille looks good on a black car because you don't notice the difference in spacing but on any other color it stands out.

Yup:



I bet the Fusion would have won with the 3.5, even though I think the interior looks terrible. Edited October 28, 2005 by CSpec

[mustang84]

How Ford positioned the bars on the grille makes it look like there's something wrong with it.  The grille looks good on a black car because you don't notice the difference in spacing but on any other color it stands out.

Personally, I think the ranking is spot on.  I might even list the Fusion at #1.

[post="35311"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

They have to be positioned like that for air intake. From what I have heard, the distance between the bars is too narrow, so instead of making it look worse by spacing them further apart, they just let the bottom parts be more open. Cool air has to get to the engine somehow.

[Chicagoland]

Car and Driver would lose their loyal readers if Accord was never #1 in a test. But, it beat the #1 selling family car, ;) Too many Camrys I see have cheap hubcaps and look like left over Deawoos. Time for a re-style; in 6 months actually Edited October 30, 2005 by Chicagoland

[Shantanu]

Maybe the Fusion is what the Chevy Malibu should have been.

[titan]

I think the Fusion deserves #1. But, the decision was close and the arguement for the Accord was a rational one, so it was a fair win.

[regfootball]

if ford built a 'fusion sport package' with simply this 3.5l 260hp engine 6 speed manual or driver select auto sport cloth or lthr seats nice gauges killer stereo tight steering sunroof DO THEY KNOW HOW MUCH IT WOULD KICK ASS? Edited October 28, 2005 by regfootball

[Northstar]

They have to be positioned like that for air intake.  From what I have heard, the distance between the bars is too narrow, so instead of making it look worse by spacing them further apart, they just let the bottom parts be more open.  Cool air has to get to the engine somehow.

[post="35337"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

I dunno, I think if they all had even gaps it'd look the best. It would still get the same amount of air into the engine assuming the bars were the same heighth, just with more space in between.

[2b2]

if ford built a 'fusion sport package' with simply this

3.5l 260hp engine
6 speed manual or driver select auto
sport cloth or lthr seats
nice gauges
killer stereo
tight steering
sunroof

DO THEY KNOW HOW MUCH IT WOULD KICK ASS?

[post="35492"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

*cough* Fusion-ST *cough*
270hp/manual is 50 weeks away


ps Awd too

[mustang84]

*cough* Fusion-ST *cough*
270hp/manual is 50 weeks away
ps Awd too

[post="35556"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

Where'd you get that information? Sounds cool! B)

[pow]

*cough* Fusion-ST *cough*
270hp/manual is 50 weeks away
ps Awd too

[post="35556"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

Hm, I wonder if its the Mazda Mazda6 Mazdaspeed6 in Fusion drag.

[2b2]

Hm, I wonder if its the Mazda Mazda6 Mazdaspeed6 in Fusion drag.

[post="35817"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

Nope. The Mazdaspeed6 uses a turbo 2.3 4cyl, with direct injection too. The Fusion-ST uses the new 3.5v6, no turbo needed. Tho they are testing a supercharged 3.5v6 that gets about 350hp.

Mustang84, Ford hasn't confirmed the ST yet afaik - so no one has to believe it... yet. But insiders/Ford employees have posted the info on many sites.

[mustang84]

Nope. The Mazdaspeed6 uses a turbo 2.3 4cyl, with direct injection too.  The Fusion-ST uses the new 3.5v6, no turbo needed. Tho they are testing a supercharged 3.5v6 that gets about 350hp.

Mustang84, Ford hasn't confirmed the ST yet afaik - so no one has to believe it... yet. But insiders/Ford employees have posted the info on many sites.

[post="35851"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

I heard there was going to be an ST, but this is the first time I've seen horsepower numbers and a timeframe. I'll definately be looking into an ST when I'm in the market for a new car in the next couple years.

Where does that leave the SVT though? I was under the assumption that the ST would be below the SVT, and 270 hp out of the 3.5L is probably pushing close to the max it can make, although I've heard that 300 is possible. Has there been any more talk of an SVT (last talk I heard was months ago)? Edited October 29, 2005 by mustang84

[2b2]

...Where does that leave the SVT though?  I was under the assumption that the ST would be below the SVT, and 270 hp out of the 3.5L is probably pushing close to the max it can make, although I've heard that 300 is possible.  Has there been any more talk of an SVT (last talk I heard was months ago)?

[post="35914"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

Yeah, if they make an SVT version it'll be more powerful than the ST, but last I saw, Ford hasn't committed to one yet - tho also read in a Mustang thread, they're not necessarily going to call future performance models "SVT" anyway. More like Fusion-GT by SVT... that sounds nice! (I bet they offer the 270hp in the Zephyr too... wonder what they'll call that?)

With gas prices so uncertain, it might make sense to wait as long as they can to decide. One of the insiders I mentioned made it sound like the supercharged 3.5 program is so they can quickly offer it if/when a business case can be made. Afterall, they don't start 3.5 production 'til January.

[regfootball]

production of the 3.5 can't some to soon, ford should have had this motor out 3-4 years ago

[Chicagoland]

But with gas prices so high, more power is not a priority. Fusion V6 gets 21 city EPA, almost same as some 4 banger imports.

[pow]

But with gas prices so high, more power is not a priority. Fusion V6 gets 21 city EPA, almost same as some 4 banger imports.

[post="36455"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

The 244-hp Accord V6 gets 21 MPG as well.

[Chicagoland]

But average Honda Accord buyers couldn't car less about HP. Only spec sheet and magazine racers who drive Civic DX's, with etc.....