The 2019 Ford Fusion and Hyundai Sonata put a sensible spin on luxury, with their plush comfort and high-tech safety. Which is your best option? Our comparison guide takes a close look at two of the most popular mid-size sedans on the road.
Classiest Cabin: 2019 Ford Fusion
To feel like star of your own show, choose the 2019 Ford Fusion. This sporty sedan is known for its quiet ride and elegant cabin design. It's got a definite European luxury vibe, but without the exorbitant price tag. If you do a lot of traveling, we have more good news: hours-long road trips won't put a dent in the Fusion's excellent seating comfort.
The Sonata is less about form and more about function. But that's not necessarily a bad thing. Inside, this four-door sedan features clean lines and a smooth, quiet ride. The Sonata lacks the touch of luxury you get from the Fusion, but offers a straightforward commute.
Savviest Tech Interface: 2019 Ford Fusion
Trust us, when you're in frustrating stop-and-go traffic, the last thing you need is a touchscreen that's slow to respond to your input. That's why we highly recommend the Fusion's Sync 3 infotainment system. It's one of the best options out there. You won't struggle to understand its menu structure or to get it to do what you want. The touchscreen and voice controls are all about function. Importantly, Sync 3 includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, technology that lets you use your smartphone without actually looking at it.
The Sonata comes standard with complete smartphone integration (read: Apple CarPlay and Android Auto). However, especially compared to Ford's SYNC 3, Hyundai's multimedia options aren't exactly cutting-edge. For example, Hyundai doesn't offer some internet radio controls or teen driver settings (unlike SYNC 3, which does).
Best Road Trip Sedan: 2019 Ford Fusion
The 2019 Ford Fusion is the best traveler of the pair, delivering a wealth of standard safety features and an enthusiastic performance. As sedan powertrains go, the Fusion has a little something for everyone. In spite of being the line's thriftiest engine, the turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder can really move. And, if you're in the market for some thrills, you can nab the 2.7-liter turbo V6. Its 325 horses and 350 pound-feet of torque leave every Sonata in the dust.
The Sonata offers three engine options to the Fusion's four. Choose the Eco trim for the thriftiest performance. The speedy turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is only available on the top-trim Limited 2.0T, and its 245 horses and 260 pound-feet of torque can't compete with the Fusion's best performance.
Every Fusion comes standard with the new Co-Pilot360 Protect bundle of safety aids. Features like automatic emergency braking and lane keeping assist even intervene on your behalf, with the potential to skirt danger. The Sonata offers similar safety aids, but they're not standard equipment. You must upgrade to at least the midgrade trim and then add another package on top of it to get the same features. By then, you may find yourself spending way more money than you'd like.
Most in Fuel Mileage: 2019 Hyundai Sonata
If you've got an especially long journey to work, the Sonata's 31 mpg combined start to look really good. Back on the Fusion, you get a pretty good return with up to 27 mpg combined. On a greener note, both of these sedans offer their own hybrid version, each of which returns 42 mpg combined.
In the end, drivers who crave luxury and street-smart safety gear can safely choose the 2019 Ford Fusion. This sedan is ready for your long commute, or even a series of comfy road trips.