2014 Ford Fusion vs. Its Competition

Bengt Halvorson Senior Editor

The 2014 Ford Fusion starts at a base price that's a bit higher than most of its rivals, and the price spread actually grows wider as you move up the trims.

If price is the real concern, the cheapest Nissan Altima might be a better bet; it's very comfortable and well-equipped in its base guise.

The Kia Optima and Hyundai Sonata are some of the best values otherwise, with great interior room and trend-setting lines; but artificial steering feel and too-firm rides can be letdowns considering their curvy looks.

The Chevy Malibu suffers from a small back seat, mediocre gas mileage and styling, though its cockpit looks good and its steering can be very crisp, depending on wheel and tire choice.

And the Honda Accord isn't so dramatically changed, but its infotainment has been brought more up to date and it has some clever features, like LaneWatch.

The new Mazda 6 might be the toughest rival for the Fusion.

The Mazda is definitely less expensive and has a lean and sporty yet polished feel that might like what they see in the Fusion but are scared away by the price and technology.