Navigating car lineups with expert guidance
Guide

Which midsize sedan reigns supreme? ford fusion vs kia optima 2017

Mike has spent over 15 years working in the automotive industry and is a lifelong Ford truck guy. He currently drives a 2018 Ford F-150 Lariat that he enjoys customizing on the weekends. As editor of wheelsgeeks.com, Mike focuses on sharing his passion for Blue Oval vehicles through reviews, how-to...

What To Know

  • The Fusion’s turbocharged four-cylinder engine gets an EPA-estimated 21 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway.
  • The Optima’s turbocharged four-cylinder engine gets an EPA-estimated 22 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway.
  • If you want a sporty sedan with a comfortable interior and good fuel economy, the Ford Fusion is a great choice.

The Ford Fusion and Kia Optima are two popular midsize sedans that have been competing for market share for years. Both cars offer a comfortable ride, plenty of features, and impressive fuel economy. But which one is the better choice for you? In this blog post, we’ll compare the 2017 Ford Fusion and Kia Optima side-by-side to help you make a decision.

Exterior Design

The Ford Fusion has a sleek and sporty exterior design, with a wide grille and sharp lines. The Kia Optima has a more conservative look, with a rounded grille and softer lines. Both cars are attractive in their own way, but the Fusion’s sportier design may appeal to those who want a more aggressive look.

Interior Design

The Ford Fusion has a well-designed interior with high-quality materials. The seats are comfortable and supportive, and the dashboard is easy to use. The Kia Optima also has a well-designed interior, but the materials are not quite as high-quality as the Fusion’s. The seats are also not as comfortable, and the dashboard is more cluttered.

Features

The Ford Fusion and Kia Optima both offer a wide range of features. Some of the standard features on both cars include:

  • Air conditioning
  • Cruise control
  • Power windows and locks
  • Bluetooth connectivity
  • A rearview camera

The Fusion also offers some features that are not available on the Optima, such as:

  • A sunroof
  • Heated seats
  • A navigation system

Performance

The Ford Fusion and Kia Optima both offer a variety of engine options. The Fusion’s base engine is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that produces 175 horsepower. The Optima’s base engine is a 2.4-liter four-cylinder that produces 185 horsepower. Both cars also offer a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a V6 engine.

The Fusion’s turbocharged four-cylinder engine produces 245 horsepower, while the Optima’s turbocharged four-cylinder engine produces 247 horsepower. The Fusion’s V6 engine produces 280 horsepower, while the Optima’s V6 engine produces 274 horsepower.

In terms of performance, the Fusion and Optima are very evenly matched. Both cars offer a comfortable ride and plenty of power. However, the Fusion’s turbocharged four-cylinder engine gives it a slight edge in acceleration.

Fuel Economy

The Ford Fusion and Kia Optima both offer good fuel economy. The Fusion’s base engine gets an EPA-estimated 22 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. The Optima’s base engine gets an EPA-estimated 23 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway.

The Fusion’s turbocharged four-cylinder engine gets an EPA-estimated 21 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway. The Optima’s turbocharged four-cylinder engine gets an EPA-estimated 22 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway.

The Fusion’s V6 engine gets an EPA-estimated 19 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. The Optima’s V6 engine gets an EPA-estimated 20 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway.

Safety

The Ford Fusion and Kia Optima both received good safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The Fusion received a five-star overall safety rating, while the Optima received a four-star overall safety rating.

Both cars also received good ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The Fusion received a Top Safety Pick+ award, while the Optima received a Top Safety Pick+ award.

Price

The Ford Fusion has a starting price of $22,120. The Kia Optima has a starting price of $22,600. Both cars are available in a variety of trim levels, so the price will vary depending on the features you choose.

Which Car Is Right for You?

The Ford Fusion and Kia Optima are both excellent midsize sedans. The Fusion has a sportier design, a more comfortable interior, and a slightly better fuel economy. The Optima has a more conservative design, a less comfortable interior, and a slightly worse fuel economy.

Ultimately, the best car for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences. If you want a sporty sedan with a comfortable interior and good fuel economy, the Ford Fusion is a great choice. If you want a conservative sedan with a less comfortable interior and slightly worse fuel economy, the Kia Optima is a good choice.

Alternatives to Consider

If you’re considering the Ford Fusion or Kia Optima, you may also want to consider the following cars:

  • Honda Accord
  • Toyota Camry
  • Hyundai Sonata
  • Mazda6
  • Nissan Altima

These cars all offer a similar combination of features, performance, and fuel economy as the Fusion and Optima.

Common Questions and Answers

Which car has a better warranty?

The Kia Optima has a better warranty than the Ford Fusion. The Optima comes with a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, while the Fusion comes with a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Which car has a more spacious interior?

The Ford Fusion has a more spacious interior than the Kia Optima. The Fusion has 102.3 cubic feet of passenger space, while the Optima has 101.5 cubic feet of passenger space.

Which car has a better infotainment system?

The Ford Fusion has a better infotainment system than the Kia Optima. The Fusion’s infotainment system is easier to use and has more features than the Optima’s infotainment system.

Mike Sullivan

Mike has spent over 15 years working in the automotive industry and is a lifelong Ford truck guy. He currently drives a 2018 Ford F-150 Lariat that he enjoys customizing on the weekends. As editor of wheelsgeeks.com, Mike focuses on sharing his passion for Blue Oval vehicles through reviews, how-to guides and industry news updates. When he's not writing about Ford, you can find Mike cheering on his favorite NFL team at the local pub on game days.
Back to top button