Honda Accord vs. Ford Fusion
It’s a given that Ford Motors is synonymous with the word “musclecar.” It is considered the quintessential American brand of automobile, and many car companies have modeled their models after the Ford. The big, brash and loud, and most if not all of the vehicles that Ford makes, are known as the gas guzzlers. However, things have changed in the automotive world, with the entry of fuel-efficient and practical Japanese cars into the US. One Japanese car company in particular, which has made a mark on foreign soil, is Honda Motors. .
Honda’s flagship brand is the renowned Accord, which has earned praise for its practicality, build quality and reliability. The brand has remained fast, on the bottom rung of the hotly contested midsize sedan market, where target consumers are urban professionals and small families. Ford hasn’t managed to grab much attention in this department until the arrival of the new Fusion, which is what the company calls an import fighter. That said, we take a look at how the entry-level trims of these two cars stack up against each other, starting with the starter, the Honda Accord.
The base model, the Accord LX, has a 2.4L inline-4, producing 177 horsepower at 6,500 rpm, delivered by a 5-speed manual transmission gearbox. The economy engine has a fuel economy of 25 miles per gallon for combined city and highway driving. The suggested retail price for this model is $21,765.
The Fusion, on the other hand, starts cheap, at just $19,620, showing that Ford is staying true to its import fighter motto. This car is equipped with a standard 2.5-liter inline-4 engine, which reaches 175 hp at a redline of 6000 rpm. That power is delivered to the front wheels through a 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive, although a 6-speed automatic gearbox is an available option. Ford claims that the Fusion can even achieve the same fuel efficiency ratio as the Accord, which is 25 miles per gallon.
The standard safety feature offered for both cars is 4-wheel ABS on ventilated disc brakes, plenty of airbags, and other crash safety requirements. They differ in terms of curb weight, with the Accord LX weighing in at 3,230 lbs., slightly trimmer, with 16-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 215/60 all-season tires.
The Fusion weighs in slightly heavier at 3,285 pounds. for the manual gearbox model, and 3342lbs. for automatic change. This weight is carried by 205/60V spec tires, on 16-inch alloy wheels.
You have to remember, though, that all of these numbers are for the entry-level models only, for both automakers. Things get a little more exclusive, more competitive, and more expensive as you go up the different trim levels. The Accord offers three different trim levels, namely the base LX, the upgraded EX, and the top of the line EX-L, which offers premium features such as leather upholstery and an optional navigation system.
The Fusion is offered in four trim levels, namely S, SE, Sport and SEL. Although a relative newcomer to the midsize sedan segment, the Fusion has earned praise for its use of high-quality materials in its spacious cabin. Despite being considered undersized for its category, its roomy interior proves that midsize sedans don’t have to be as big as the Accord to accommodate the needs of families. Because of these facts, along with its low price scheme, the Ford Fusion is sure to win the hearts of consumers.
