Buying and insuring a 2020 Ford Fusion S
is a good idea if you want a hard-working sedan with a hint of sporty spice. But don't be afraid to give the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, and Hyundai Sonata a try if you're not so sure. From its hybrid powertrain to its sporty sensibilities, there's a lot to like about the Ford Fusion. There was, anyway.
If you've missed the Fusion since its discontinuation in 2020, you'll be happy to know that the market for midsize sedans isn't dead. We’ve found eight modern competitors that are more than worth the premiums for a Ford vehicle
. Jerry
, the super app
that gathers car insurance
quotes automatically, is all about giving you options. Check out the strengths (and weaknesses) of the vehicles that could replace your old Ford Fusion.1. Honda Accord
Pros: Perfectly balanced handling, practicality, great fuel economy
Let's start with a long-standing favorite, the Honda Accord. When it comes to the family sedan, Honda has nailed the formula: fun and agile to drive, roomy enough for comfort and luggage, and Apple and Android-based entertainment. With the higher trims, you can expect good value for money, including features like a premium audio system, sunroof, and keyless entry.
The Accord’s five-star NHTSA crash rating is just the icing on the cake. Not to mention, the 47 combined mpg rating for its hybrid engine. Plus its automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, and adaptive cruise control. And its reasonable Honda insurance rates
... You know what? It's all just icing at this point. 2. Hyundai Sonata
Pros: Marvelous fuel economy, industry-leading warranty, great value
Cons: Unrefined driving dynamics
If you want to convince naysayers that the humble sedan is better than the SUV, show them the Hyundai Sonata. Its least efficient engine nets 31 mpg combined, and that’s before considering the three available hybrid setups.
You'll also save on Hyundai insurance costs
since the interior manages to feel premium without resorting to pricey materials. Plus, it’s safe: the IIHS gave it a Top Safety Pick
and the NHTSA gave it a five-star crash test score
. Hyundai's outstanding feature is its unbeatable 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty and its three-year/36,000-mile complimentary maintenance program. Ultimately, there's simply too much to like about the Sonata to dwell on the fact that the steering, handling, and suspension sometimes struggle to harmonize.
4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars 4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers 3. Kia K5
Pros: Excellent warranty, impressive interior, great value
Cons: Unbalanced driving, okay fuel economy
The 2022 K5 earns a lot of goodwill with a long list of standard features for the mid-range GT trim, including all-wheel drive, a 10.3-inch touchscreen, and 360-degree cameras. However, a gutsy 2.5L turbo-four engine and insecure handling make a disastrous combo. Buyers who stick with the base LX should be satisfied with the 180-hp1.6L turbo-four and standard driver assistance features.
Without the Accord for comparison, the K5's 27 combined mpg would be more impressive, but its interior is something we can wholeheartedly recommend. It demonstrates how much of a difference good design can make without resorting to exotic materials that needlessly push up the insurance cost for a Kia
. We also have to credit Kia for being the only manufacturer to match Hyundai's legendary 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. 4. Toyota Camry
Pros: Well-rounded driver assistance technology, good fuel economy
Cons: Unremarkable driving
The Toyota Camry’s standard 2.5L four-cylinder engine is efficient, and for some family drivers, that's all that matters. It’s easy to pilot, roomy enough for some cargo, and equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Additionally, the standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ is very generous. It includes forward-collision mitigation, automatic emergency braking, lane-monitoring tools, and adaptive cruise control.
Drivers without kids or who yearn to taste the road will be disappointed with everything but the fuel-guzzling, 301-hp 3.5L V6, which is only available on mid-range or higher trims. Even at that level, the steering and handling aren't good enough to earn a top rating. We recommend accepting that the Camry is a family vehicle and choosing the cheapest engine to save on Toyota insurance costs
. 5. Nissan Altima
Pros: Does nothing exceptionally wrong
Cons: Does nothing exceptionally right
The Nissan Altima ranks fifth for one reason: it’s completely average. Its gas mileage is better than an SUV’s but not as good as the Sonata’s. It has forward collision mitigation and automatic emergency brakes, but it's not as technologically gifted as the Camry. And although the interior is comfortable, it lacks the confidence and conviction of the K5. ‘Nuff said.
4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars 4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers 6. Subaru Legacy
Pros: Great standard driver assistance aids
Cons: Forgettable driving, unnoticeable design
2022 Subaru Legacy's main selling points are safety and stability. Subaru’s standardEyeSight suite includes automatic emergency braking, lane-centering, and adaptive cruise control. For this reason, the Legacy earns top marks from the NHTSA
and the IIHS
, which is a boon for any Subaru owner's insurance costs
. Thankfully, the driver assistance technology also helps automate some of the Legacy's chore-like driving. It sleepwalks to 60 mph in 8.0 seconds and has a yawn-inducing interior design. There’s little to hold your attention, but at least it comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
7. Chevrolet Malibu
Pros: Budget pick, okay fuel economy
Cons: No standard driver assistance technology, cheaply built cabin
It’s unlikely that the facade, features, or 1.5L turbo-four engine of the 2022 Chevy Malibu will catch your eye, but its price probably will. A budget car raises one question: is it a good deal?
Well, the standard and upgraded engine manage a serviceable amount of speed, power, and fuel efficiency. The interior is also okay, but looking at it too long reveals its bulbous and strangely disproportionate design. What the Malibu doesn’t offer is safety; it has few driver assistance aids unless you buy a package (from $1,095 to $2,095).
It's up to you whether this is a dealbreaker, but don't be surprised if its low safety rating adds a few dollars to the insurance bills for your Chevrolet
. 8. Volkswagen Passat
Pros: Comfortable driving, good manufacturing quality, complimentary maintenance
The VW Passat earns more than a passing grade thanks to its fuel efficiency, solid assembly, and gentle driving habits. Its well-rounded list of features includes standard smartphone connections, a handful of driver assistance features, and a complimentary maintenance plan for two years/20,000 miles.
The downsides are subjective—call us shallow, but the cabin's design is so utilitarian that it’s unwelcoming. Fortunately, the artistic merits of the Passat have little effect on Volkswagen insurance costs
. Ford Fusion vs. the competition
Our comparison wouldn't be complete without a table featuring all the essentials, like powertrain, fuel economy, price, and storage capacity. Check out our article on the insurance rates for a Ford Fusion Hybrid
to get the whole picture before making your choice.
| | | | | | Fuel economy (combined/city/highway) |
---|
| | 1.5L inline-four, 2.0L four-cylinder hybrid, 2.0L four-cylinder plug-in hybrid | | 16 cubic ft, 8.2 cubic feet (PHEV) | | 27/23/34 mpg, 42/43/41 mpg, 103 mpge/42 mpg |
| | 1.5L four-cylinder, 2.0L four-cylinder, 2.0L four-cylinder hybrid | | | | 33/30/38 mpg, 26/22/32 mpg, 47/48/47 mpg |
| | 1.6L turbo inline-four, 2.5L inline-four, 2.0L inline-four hybrid (SEL and Limited), 2.0L inline-four hybrid (Blue) | | | | 31/27/37 mpg, 31/27/37 mpg, 47/45/51 mpg, 52/50/54 mpg |
| | 1.6L turbo inline-four (AWD), 1.6L turbo inline-four (FWD), 2.5L turbo four-cylinder | | | | 28/25/33 mpg, 31/27/37 mpg, 27/24/32 mpg |
| | 2.5L four-cylinder, 2.5L four-cylinder hybrid, 3.5L V6 | | | | 32/28/39 mpg, 52/51/53 mpg, 26/22/33 mpg |
| | 2.0L turbo four-cylinder, 2.5L four-cylinder | | | | 29/25/34 mpg, 32/28/39 mpg |
| | 2.5L four-cylinder, 2.4L turbo four-cylinder | | | | 30/27/35 mpg, 27/24/32 mpg |
| | 1.5L turbo four-cylinder, 2.0L turbo four-cylinder | | | | 32/29/36 mpg, 26/22/33 mpg |
| | | | | | |
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