Fusion or Altima (rentals, 2014, best, MPG)

[LeavingMA]

I think you will get more for your money with the Fusion than the Altima.

[POS VETT]

If you include the Sonata/Optima, that's a different ball game. I know a certain Honda engineer who would actually pick the Optima over the Accord (no, I'm not telling). If I was ever in the mid-size WWD sedan market, I'd pick the Korean too.

[Novadhd5150]

Thanks for the feedback..I have narrowed it down to Fusion , Altima and Mazda6.
I wont buy a kia for personal reasons.

[RandyWatson13]

FYI a new Altima should debut maybe next year. A new Camry will be shown at the NYIAS next month to be sold in the fall.

[hoffdano]

We almost bought a Fusion Sport last year. Very nice car and I liked it a lot. The Fusion is not so pedestrian, especially in the Sport version. The Fusion chassis is derived from the Mazda6, which gives it better handling and a firmer ride than many in the class.

I am just not a CVT fan, so I wouldn't buy the Altima even though it is a respected car.

The Mazda6 is a good choice too. A bit less roomy than the Fusion, but sleeker and a bit more stylish interior. Ford Sync BTW is very good.

[Novadhd5150]

What is wrong with CVT?

[NJGOAT]

Originally Posted by Novadhd5150

What is wrong with CVT?

Nothing per se, it is just a different kind of automatic transmission. If you google CVT trans, you can see how it works. They have a different feel and response when driving that some people adapt to quickly and are fine with and others absolutely hate. In general a CVT is able to get marginally improved fuel economy over a regular automatic.

On the Nissan end, they are the only manufacturer to have wholesale replaced their automatic transmissions with CVT's. Beginning in 2003 or so they were introduced and from MY 2003-2010 there were a lot of issues with them, prompting Nissan to extend the warranty on CVT's top 10 years and 120k miles to satisfy customers and avoid a lawsuit. The CVT was redesigned for 2011 and is reportedly much improved, but Nissan also ended the extended warranty program and the CVT now just falls under the 5 year and 60k mile powertrain warranty.

[Innotech]

I have a 2010 Ford Fusion V6 SE with the sun and sync package and it is an absolutely fantastic car. It handles pretty well no doubt about that. Its no sportscar, but it scoots along with some urgency. THe ride is very smooth and the chassis feels extremely solid. The doors close with a solid germanic thump and the interior seems well screwed together. Nothing about the car really screams cost cutting or compromise. IMO it is also one of the best looking midsize sedans out there. I recommend people to at least test drive this car. Its worth your time.

[djmilf]

And in comparison to Innotech's post....

I have a 2010 Ford Fusion I4 SE without the sun and sync package, I wouldn't call it an absolutely fantastic car, but its an incredibly nice 4 door at a good price ($16K total for me, but I had a $4500 CARS rebate when I bought it in August 2009).

One big difference from Innotech's experience is the I4...it lacks the punch of the V6 and it does make for some interesting moments when merging onto a freeway. There's no 'stomp on the gas pedal' effect...I've got to really pay attention and look for my spot on the merge. But it does manage a solid 25 mpg in mixed driving and 30 in highway driving.

I don't have the sunroof...that adds another 1 to 1.5 inches of headroom in the front seat. And I didn't get the Sync...and regret it.

But aside from that, I agree with everything Innotech says.

[The Greek]

Don't rule out Malibu,take a closer look.

Front profile



The rear profile





The side profile





Interior pics













Performance specs

Ford fusion

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM 265 @ 6250
Displacement 3.5L/213
6 speed Transmission with Selectshift
18/27 est. Feul Economy

Nissan Altima

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM 270 @ 6000
3.5L V6 and 6 speed Trans
19/26 est. Feul Economy

Chevy Malibu

Displacement 3.6L
SAE Net Horsepower 252 @ 4900
6 Speed Trans with selectShift
19/27 est. Feul Economy

Dimensions

Ford

Curb weight 3591
Interior Dimensions
Passenger Volume (ft³) 100.3

Second Hip Room (in) 53.3

Front Head Room (in) 38.7

Front Shoulder Room (in) 57.4

Second Head Room (in) 37.8

Front Hip Room (in) 54.0

Second Leg Room (in) 37.1

Front Leg Room (in) 42.3

Passenger Capacity 5

Second Shoulder Room (in) 56.5


Exterior Dimensions
(in) 107.4

Height, Overall (in) 56.9

Length, Overall (in) 190.6

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in) 80.1

Track Width, Front (in) 61.7

Track Width, Rear (in) 61.3

Trunk Volume (ft³)15.3



Altima

Base Curb Weight (lbs) 3357
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room (in) 40.6

Second Head Room (in) 36.8

Front Shoulder Room (in) 55.7

Front Hip Room (in) 56.8

Passenger Volume (ft³) 100.7

Second Hip Room (in) 52.5

Second Leg Room (in) 35.8

Second Shoulder Room (in) 55.5

Passenger Capacity 5

Front Leg Room (in) 44.1


Exterior Dimensions
Wheelbase (in) 109.3

Liftover Height (in) 27.6

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in) 70.7

Track Width, Front (in) 61.0

Min Ground Clearance (in) 5.4

Length, Overall (in) 190.7

Track Width, Rear (in) 61.0

Height, Overall (in) 57.9


Cargo Area Dimensions
Trunk Volume (ft³) 15.3

Malibu

Base Curb Weight (lbs) 3649
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room (in) 39.4

Front Hip Room (in) 53.0

Passenger Capacity 5

Front Leg Room (in) 42.2

Passenger Volume (ft³) 97.7

Second Shoulder Room (in) 53.9

Second Leg Room (in) 37.6

Second Hip Room (in) 52.1

Front Shoulder Room (in) 55.9

Second Head Room (in) 37.2


Exterior Dimensions
Min Ground Clearance (in) - TBD -

(in) 112.3

Height, Overall (in) 57.1

Track Width, Front (in) 59.6

Length, Overall (in) 191.8

Liftover Height (in) - TBD -

Track Width, Rear (in) 60.0

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in) 70.3


Cargo Area Dimensions
Trunk Volume (ft³) 15.1