[BIG ACH]

I don't like some of the comparisons being made by Ford (Camry, and Accord)... come on.... lets look at real performance vehicles and compare!

Feel free to add to the list accordingly!


2017 Ford Fusion Sport
AWD
3,681 lbs (Estimated)
2.7L V6 Twin Turbo
325 HP @ 5,500
350 lb-ft @ 3,500

2016 Subaru WRX STI
AWD
3,386 lbs
2.5L I4 Turbo
305 HP @ 6,000 RPM
290 lb-ft @ 4,000 RPM
0-60 in 4.6 sec

2015 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution GSR
AWD
3,527 lbs
2.0L I4 Turbo
291 HP @ 6,500 RPM
300 lb-ft @ 4,000 RPM
0-60 in 4.4 sec

2016 Volvo S60 T6 Drive-E R-Design
AWD
3,684 lbs
2.0L I4 SuperCharged & TurboCharged
302 HP @ 5,700 RPM
295 lb-ft @ 2,100 – 4,500
0-60 in ??

2016 Audi S4
AWD
3,869 lbs
3.0L V6 SuperCharged
333 HP @ 5,500 – 6,500 RPM
325 lb-ft @ 2,900 – 5,300
0-60 in 4.4 sec

2016 BMW 340i
RWD
3,695 lbs
3.0L I6 Twin-Turbo
320 HP @ 5,500 – 6,500 RPM
330 lb-ft @ 1,300 – 5,000 RPM
0-60 in 4.7 sec

2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG
AWD
3,450 lbs
2.0L I4 Turbo
375 HP @ 6,000 RPM
350 lb-ft @ 2,250 – 5,000 RPM
0-60 in 4.1 sec

 

[escape]

I don't like some of the comparisons being made by Ford (Camry, and Accord)... come on...

They do that because that's what people cross shop typically. Someone who wants a BMW or an MB is not going to cross shop it against a Ford.

 

[FordPWR]

Audi S4? Really? It starts at $50k, anyone willing to spend that shouldn't bother looking at the Fusion, at that point the Fusion is such a lousy car to choose. Better to shop in the $50k range than to stoop down to a $34k-37k car (Fusion Sport)

 

[BIG ACH]

I totally understand the points you two are making.... there is a lot of absurdity around the discussion I've started....

But I was purely talking about performance. Nothing else. I'm completely aware no one will cross shop some of these luxury brands with a Fusion, but its still interesting to compare the numbers.


It's funny you guys mention this because last night, I was watching TV with my wife and we saw an ad for the new Jaguar XE (Which starts at $34,900)....

My wife who knows I plan to get the Fusion Sport goes "Wait... I don't get you... for the same amount of money, you're going to go buy a Ford Fusion over this Jaguar???"

Immediately on my phone I pull up the engine specs of this Jag:

2.0L I-4, 240 HP, 251 lb-ft of torque. (0-60 in 6.5 seconds)

OR

Diesel, 2.0L I-4, 180 hp, 318 lb-ft of torque (0-60 in 7.5 seconds)


So now from a financial perspective, i could cross shop these two vehicles.... I can pick up one of the world's top luxury brands, or I can buy the American equivalent of a Honda Accord.

I'm still getting the Fusion Sport over this Jag... because I frankly could care less about the badge on the vehicle, I'm just looking at performance right now, which is why I made the comparison listed in my original post

 

[escape]

It's funny you guys mention this because last night, I was watching TV with my wife and we saw an ad for the new Jaguar XE (Which starts at $34,900)....

Funny. I was about to suggest you add Jag XE to your comparison. However, from a performance perspective, you should really be looking at the XE 3.0 supercharged. This one is rated at 5.1s 0-60. However, by the time you option it out a little, it'll cost about the same as BMW 340i - about $50K, in which case I'd have a hard time choosing between the XE and the 340i. Some reviews say the XE is more fun/engaging to drive, but also complain the rear legroom sucks in the XE. I guess I would have to drive and see it for myself. One of my requirements is that it needs to be practical. If the rear space is too small to comfortably fit a rear-facing child seat, then it may be an issue for me.
From the looks perspective, I do like the XE quite a bit though. It's more unique, less of a cookie cutter design.

 

[escape]

One of my requirements is that it needs to be practical. If the rear space is too small to comfortably fit a rear-facing child seat, then it may be an issue for me.

Or I can hold off another year. By that time my kid will be using a forward-facing seat, and so rear legroom may not be as big of an issue anymore.

Reliability and post-warranty repair cost is also something to ponder as I typically keep my cars for a very long time. My current car is 14-years-old. Now that Jag is owned by TATA, I think reliability is still a bit of an unknown. It will possibly be worse than Fusion. And I'd expect parts and labor would be notably less on a Fusion than on a Jag, unless you plan on DIY. Then again, most people don't buy Jags for their reliability - that's Honda/Toyota territory.

 

[BIG ACH]

I didn't even realize the XE had a 3.0L Supercharged engine. For some reason it didn't show up in the engine line up when I checked, but looking at it now I do see it and yes it lines up right with the 335 at that point.


Thats the thing about this Fusion Sport... it will provide comparable performance but sits an entire price bucket lower.

 

[Drof]

At that point, I feel we're really going to be looking and brand loyalty and price range of the segment the prospective buyer is looking at

 

[Bamm1]

I would add the Mercedes C450 / C43 AMG sedan to your "4 door AWD high(er) performance sedan" hypothetical exercise.

A really close facsimile of the 2017 Sport already exists (see below). I would expect very similar performance and fuel economy from the 2017 Sport.

2015 Volvo S60 R-Design
AWD
6-Speed Automatic
235/40R19 tires
3.0 I6 Turbocharged
325 HP @ 5,600 RPM
354 lb-ft @ 2,100 RPM
The 2 ton V60 with the same drivetrain went 0-60 in 4.9 sec.
MPG: 18/27/21

 

[FordPWR]

Some people might even be able to look into the CLA, but that's if your requirements for space are minimal since the CLA in size is much smaller but still offers great performance.

 

[Bamm1]

Some people might even be able to look into the CLA, but that's if your requirements for space are minimal since the CLA in size is much smaller but still offers great performance.

BIG ACH did list the CLA in his original post.

I would also add the 2016 Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400 AWD.

 

[LonsterBrau]

I walked a 2015 Subaru WRX sedan tonight from a light...I don't think he expected me to hand him his ass.

 

[dogmush]

It's funny you guys mention those cars, and say no one is cross shopping. I 100% am cross shopping to luxury brands. Here's why:

I want a performance/sports sedan. I like driving, and like a quick car, but also need 4 doors, more gas mileage than my Cobra got, and a trunk. looking in the $30-$40k range.

I can get:

Brand spanking new Fusion Sport-$39,900 specced how I want.
CPO 2015 BMW 335i M-sport with 15,000mi-$39,998 on the website today
CPO 2014 Lexus is350 F-sport with 11,000mi-$34,900 at a dealer in town.

Yes used vs new comparison, but the CPO cars do come with a warranty, I don't need to tune them to get the performance I want, and are right there in price. The Fusion Has a longer warranty, likely cheaper parts and maintenance costs down the road (at least than the BMW). I'm a Ford guy, so I have some brand loyalty but $40k is a lot of money on a Fusion.

I think when Ford put that engine in that car they opened themselves up to comparisons with real sports sedans rather than Accords and Maximas. So it's fair to look at those. People don't ONLY cross shop new cars at MSRP.

 

[Donjohnk]

It's funny you guys mention those cars, and say no one is cross shopping. I 100% am cross shopping to luxury brands. Here's why:

I want a performance/sports sedan. I like driving, and like a quick car, but also need 4 doors, more gas mileage than my Cobra got, and a trunk. looking in the $30-$40k range.

I can get:

Brand spanking new Fusion Sport-$39,900 specced how I want.
CPO 2015 BMW 335i M-sport with 15,000mi-$39,998 on the website today
CPO 2014 Lexus is350 F-sport with 11,000mi-$34,900 at a dealer in town.

Yes used vs new comparison, but the CPO cars do come with a warranty, I don't need to tune them to get the performance I want, and are right there in price. The Fusion Has a longer warranty, likely cheaper parts and maintenance costs down the road (at least than the BMW). I'm a Ford guy, so I have some brand loyalty but $40k is a lot of money on a Fusion.

I think when Ford put that engine in that car they opened themselves up to comparisons with real sports sedans rather than Accords and Maximas. So it's fair to look at those. People don't ONLY cross shop new cars at MSRP.

Before making my choice with the Fusion I was looking at the cpo 335and the f-sport. My decision to buy the fusion was easily made with the cost of repairs, reliability and insurance costs. When I test drove the fusion I was sold on it immediately.

 

[SludgeFactory]

Audi S4? Really? It starts at $50k, anyone willing to spend that shouldn't bother looking at the Fusion, at that point the Fusion is such a lousy car to choose. Better to shop in the $50k range than to stoop down to a $34k-37k car (Fusion Sport)

I disagree. I was planning on buying an Audi. Test drove it along with a BMW and MB. My other car is a Lexus. I decided against the BMW and MB because for the price, they should be more reliable and I know too many people who have too many problems with theirs. I love my Lexus, but I was looking for a different style this time. So I was planning on buying an Audi S4. Then I heard about the FuSpo and drove that. Obviously it isn't an Audi and there are a few sacrifices in buying the Ford, but it was by far a better value. The Audi was not a $20k+ better car. Performance-wise I thought they both felt pretty similar. So I went with the better value. I got a comparable car and got to keep some of my money. Just because I was willing to spend that much for a car doesn't mean I'm not considering the value of what I get in return.

I think a comparison is justified if all you are talking about is the drive itself and not all the other luxuries.

Plus now I am having fun adding mods to the car, which I never would have done to the Audi.

 

[Frizz2112]

I disagree. I was planning on buying an Audi. Test drove it along with a BMW and MB. My other car is a Lexus. I decided against the BMW and MB because for the price, they should be more reliable and I know too many people who have too many problems with theirs. I love my Lexus, but I was looking for a different style this time. So I was planning on buying an Audi S4. Then I heard about the FuSpo and drove that. Obviously it isn't an Audi and there are a few sacrifices in buying the Ford, but it was by far a better value. The Audi was not a $20k+ better car. Performance-wise I thought they both felt pretty similar. So I went with the better value. I got a comparable car and got to keep some of my money. Just because I was willing to spend that much for a car doesn't mean I'm not considering the value of what I get in return.

I think a comparison is justified if all you are talking about is the drive itself and not all the other luxuries.

Plus now I am having fun adding mods to the car, which I never would have done to the Audi.

I was set on a 2017 Audi A4 until I drove the Sport. Like you, I just didn't see an extra $10K (in my case) value in the Audi. While I'm sure many people wouldn't cross shop these cars, those people are also probably swayed by brand prestige, which means precisely nothing to me. Ford saved me $10K and I feel like I gave up little in return.

 

[Monk3yFuzz]

I'm shopping right now, and both the S4 and Q50RS are on my list. I'm struggling between my head that says FS, and my heart that says Audi, and my eyes that say Infiniti. Honestly locked up and can't decide. Think it will be spring before I can make a move.

 

[LonsterBrau]

I had 2 cars on my radar...Tesla P70D and the Ford Fusion Sport. I can afford the Tesla, but being a practical man, I chose the Fusion.

 

[JaredC01]

Realistically, why are we comparing the "cheap" FuSpo when the 3.0 MKZ exists? Realistically at the price point of the BMW, Audi, etc, the MKZ is right there with them.

If you've looked at the MKZ, it's basically a higher-quality FuSpo...

If I had the extra $15k, I would have bought the MKZ (even over the German and Japanese alternatives), but for the cost, there's no new car out there that matches what the FuSpo offers IMO.

 

[D&D]

I have been driving Japanese cars and trucks for 25 years. It has been a long time since i have owned a Ford. 5 years ago we bought a Ford Edge we were very happy with it. When I saw the FuSpo on the lot and drove it, I knew this was the sedan I was waiting for. We had an Acura TL and missed it. My wife took the FuSpo for a test drive and when she got home she said lets do the deal. The next day it was ours.