2010 Ford Fusion - 360° View

Optional all-wheel drive, SYNC, and Sirius Travel Link separate the nonhybrid Fusion from most of these competitors.

If you favor ride quality over everything else, pick the Camry.

But be aware of the quality of inside the Camry: Toyota has skimped on the quality and look of many interior bits and pieces, so it is no longer the nicest interior in the class.

The sportier personality of the Accord more closely mirrors the 2010 Fusion, but so does the all-new Mazda6, a perennial favorite of TheCarConnection.com, and the Mazda should be considered for those who appreciate more of a performance feel; the new version is considerably more refined without giving up its sporty edge.

Nissan's Altima is another good choice.

The excellent 2009 Chevrolet Malibu and Saturn Aura also face off against the 2010 Ford Fusion.

The Malibu is our pick of the two; it's larger and delivers premium exterior style, plus a rich-looking interior.

The Aura, Malibu, Camry, and Altima are also offered in hybrid versions, each with similar-sized four-cylinder engines, although not all hybrid systems are the same.

General Motors uses a mild-hybrid system in its Aura and Malibu hybrids—they can't start up from a traffic light on electric power alone.

Both are well equipped, handle nicely, and boast excellent quality.

Some may like the Malibu's all-new style and larger interior, but neither of these mild hybrids can match the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid in fuel economy.

The Fusion exceeds this pair by 13 mpg city and 3 mpg highway, although the step up in cost is less for the GM models.

The Toyota Camry and Nissan Altima are full hybrids that get better mileage than GM's mild hybrids but still trail the Fusion Hybrid.

The step up in cost from the GM mild hybrids to the full hybrids is significant (about $3,000 versus $1,500 for the GMs).