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Honda Accord vs Ford Fusion
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Odie
Oide's Carspace
Incorrect. I owned a 2003 Accord and that car had a drive by wire throttle
You are responding to a post from Aug 30. We have already established that there was no Vtec engine in an Accord in 92, and that drive-by-wire throttle was available on the Accord EX V6 model only, in 03. Try to stay in the present day please.
I am the proud owner of both a 07 Fusion SE and an 07 Accord exl. Both 4 cylinders, both black with black leather interior and a power sun roof.
Heres how I see it. The Fusion is fun to drive. The engine is throaty and the chassis is fantasic, best I have ever driven in a midsized sedan. I love it. It feels a lot faster than it is, but first gear wears out its welcome. This car loves the highway. The cabin feels huge and stays out of the way, though the seats are a bit uninviting. The stereo POUNDS!! and the trunk never ends.
The Accord is entry level luxury. The engine is smooth and quiet with a psychic transmission. The cabin is as hush as a recording studio. The interior is stylish without closing in on you and the seats are buttery soft. If the Accord had the Fusions chassis, there would not be ANY competition.
The Fusion is a great car. I drive it. My wife drives the Honda, but it IS out of its league against the Accord. I'm sorry, it is. Fit and finnish really creates the gap here and the Accord is just much more refined.
Instead of getting defensive, think of it as comparing a great bone in pork chop to beef filet. They are both great in their own way but, most people will opt for the filet.
My bad; I didn't look at the date of that post; however I would have expected to see the 'establishment' posts right after that one, which I didn't.
I still stand by my statement that my 2003 Accord LX (4 Cyl) had a drive by wire throttle - I will do some research and provide proof for this. In the meantime, please look at the link below from an Edmunds.com long term test of the 2003 Accord (4 door EX); reviewer Karl clearly mentions drive by wire throttle is standard on all 4 cyl Accords. Link below
http://www.edmunds.com/apps/vdpcontainers/do/vdp/articleId=98548/pageNumber=1
Statement below is taken from the same link
<<Meanwhile, Karl, who had already spent much time behind the wheel of an '03 LX V6 sedan, said his time with our long-term car only reinforced his affinity for the seventh-generation Accord.
"I like this car more than I did before, which is saying a lot because I already felt it was one of the strongest cars in the category. My favorite aspects are the steering (great weighting and responsiveness), the throttle response (all four-cylinder Accords have drive-by-wire throttle), seat comfort (I know Honda really focused on that for this Accord) and overall refinement. Normally, I feel like Toyota has the edge on refinement and Honda has the edge on driver enjoyment, but otherwise the products from these two companies are nearly identical in most areas. It's likely the Camry would still feel more refined than this Accord if I drove them back to back but, barring that, I can't imagine a vehicle feeling more refined than this Accord. Everything from the drivetrain to seat comfort to overall quietness is at a level I formerly associated with pure luxury sedans." >>
My dad's 2005 EX I-4 has obvious slack in the throttle pedal before hitting the "mechanical" throttle. It is not drive by wire, and the I-4 models weren't until the 2006 Mid-Model Refresh. The V6 models were from the beginning however.
I guess you can say it is all in what you feel you want to pay. I bought my Fusion from a "Mega dealer". He had both Ford,Toyota, Honda, Chevy, Subaru, VW, Hyundia and I believe Suzuki. The Ford salesperson was so confident about the Fusion he acutally drove it to the Honda lot and parked it side by side to a like model. We went through it with a fine tooth comb. Along with other salespeople. Did the same with the 07 Camry. After looking at the price differences of $2-$4,000. I felt there was not a $2-$4,000 dollar justification in buying the Accord or Camry. Anyhoo.. to each their own..
Anyway, no I did not mention the price but that is part of my point. The Accord does cost thousands more but so does the Zypher. I guess I am saying that the Accord competes better against the Zypher.
My point is that the Fusion is out of its leaugue against the Accord. Its beyond opinion.
Listen, I love driving my Fusion. Its the best Ford I have ever owned (its #8 for me). Its an awsome car for the price. Its a great car. Best in this price point bar nun. Its better than the Mazda6, better than the Impala and the Altima, But I think saying its up there with the Accord is pushing it. The Accord and the Camry are a step above. Thats all Im saying.
Did you drive the Accord or the Camry?
Saying the fusion is inferior to the Accord or Camry is saying that you believe the hype. I couldn't believe how much I hated those cars.
I bought a Mazda 6s 6 cylinder. Saying its better than the Mazda 6 is purely subjective. The Fusion is softer riding than the Mazda, but the Mazda drives like a sports car which is more to my taste. The Fusion is a great car, it was my second choice, but because of the way that the Fusion is selling, it made the price higher than the 6.
To say tha the Camry and Accord are "a step above" and "beyond opinion" is simply not true when price point is taken into consideration. I got my Mazda 6 6 cylinder for less than I could get a 4 cylinder Accord or Camry. Both of those cars are far inferior to the Mazda 6 in Acceleration and Handling. These assertions are supported by tests in Car and Drive and Consumer Reports. I could only get a 4 cylinder Fusion for the money I spent on my mazda. This is not because the Mazda is not a great car, it is because the automotive press's unconditional love of the Camry and Accord.
Its also because Mazda has taken some risks with the 6 that make it appeal to a minority of people who are looking for a true sports sedan at an affordable price. By the way, the Ford Fusion is a slightly bigger, softer riding mazda 6.
What do you mean by the Accord's chassis was "unstable?"
The fact that you got a Mazda V6 for less than even a Fusion I-4 is a great deal!
I drove the 6. The Fusion chassis is an updated version of the 6. It is wider and longer. The 4 cylinder engine on the Fusion is also smoother than the one in the 6. It is a different car. It is NOT a less expensive Fusion, but it is also a very nice car.
"To say tha the Camry and Accord are "a step above" and "beyond opinion" is simply not true when price point is taken into consideration."
This does not make any sense. You could say that about the Fusion vs. a Lexus. They have better build quality and that is part of the higher price.
Listen, I already stated that I was in no way bashing the Fusion. I have both a Fusion and an Accord. The Accord is a better quality vehicle, period. But that does'nt mean I dont fully enjoy driving my Fusion or think that it is not a quality product.
Im talking gray, and your hearing black and white.
The Accord is a better quality vehicle, period.
Im talking gray, and your hearing black and white.
That first statement sounds pretty black and white to me!
Some things may be better on the Accord, but overall I think you'll find that as far as problems reported, including TSBs and recalls, the Fusion is actually doing better than Accord and Camry.
It's subjective, yes, but that's my personal opinion, based on my personal experiences with the two vehicles.
I think there is a big difference between the S/SE with wood trim and the SEL w/piano black.
The stupid Ford radio certainly doesn't help. I hope they fix that next year.
I'll have to check out a new Accord and see for myself.
It was a top level Fusion, piano black maybe? (it's been over a year). I just remember the awkward placement of the climate controls, and cheaper looking dials. Also, everything was square (which made it seem dated, although that is just a personal qualm with the design).
Yep, sure did, drove them 2x as a matter of fact. I felt the Fusion handled better than the Camry. Camry handled the worst out of the three. Accord and Fusion are even as far as handling and road manners are concerned in my book. The Fusion handles like its on rails and is very confident in the twisties.. You mention "same league" Are you saying the Accord is a luxury car? I honestly believe much of it is perception.
I do believe the Fusion SEL V6 comes standard with traction control..
Purely subjective. The Fusion won the Stratigic Visions quality award for the interior. Like I have said. I parked an 06 Fusion SEL v6 side by side to an Accord EX-L V6. Both optioned the same. The outer body panels there was absolutely no difference in fit/finish of body panels, doors ect.. This coming from 1 Ford salesperson and 2 Honda sales people!. Interior, materials are different. Honda went with a softer material/plastics layout. Ford went with plastics that had more texture. I had a guy that owned Audi's for a good portion of his life call the Fusion interior very European, with some Audi feel!.. The price difference between these two vehicles is thousands of dollars. I felt no need to spend the extra $2,500 for a perceived quality/reliability advantage. If you do, go ahead its your money, not mine.. All I know is after 6 months and over 6,000 miles my Fusion has no squeaks, no rattles and still drives and runs great! Choice is nice.. :shades:
Yes, a layout and texture combo I much preferred. The harder, more 'textured' plastic reminded me of a much less expensive car... and the squareness reminded me of my parents' 1984 LTD (you should see the square everything in that car!)
The Audi feel may come from the driving experience (which was pleasurable IIRC), but I don't see it in the interior. Choice IS nice.
And could everyone here remember that this is the Accord vs Fusion discussion and not the Midsized Sedans topic?
Yes, a layout and texture combo I much preferred. The harder, more 'textured' plastic reminded me of a much less expensive car... and the squareness reminded me of my parents' 1984 LTD (you should see the square everything in that car!)
The Audi feel may come from the driving experience (which was pleasurable IIRC), but I don't see it in the interior. Choice IS nice.
You say choice is nice but you're implying anyone who spends the extra money for an Accord is making a foolish one. The Accord is a higher quality engineered car so of course people will pay more for one. Be it the engine, interior, gauges or something trivia like in the way the trunk shuts.
You're two Honda salesmen scenario doesn't mean anything. Like I said before, I sure could point out the differences. You think they're going to say anything to hurt their co-worker's chance of a sale? Try that trick using a brand not sold from that dealer.
Here we have an individual who has both the 07 Accord and 07 Fusion in his household. He's the one who drives the Fusion and has driven many Fords before that. But you sum up his observations to perception.
I guess it really comes down to what you want to spend and what is it worth to you. Myself, I didn't see the extra $2,500 in the "Higher quality engineering" as you say it.. in the Honda to make it worth my while. I am perfectly happy with my Fusion SEL V6 all in all. I am very confident it will serve me well. :shades:
Never said the Fusion was "better" than the Accord. Just has more value for your $$. Handles just as well if not better. Styling is better I feel. Get out on the net and there are people with over 20,000 miles now on thier Fusions with no issues. Why isn't this in the media? hmmm... :confuse: The Fusion/Milan look like they are turning out to be reliable. Relaiblity is now pretty much a dead issue. The new buzz word now is "refinement"...
Also, never said you were "bias" I kind of find it funny that you would own two vehicles of the same class/size. Why did you buy the Fusion?? and not another Accord?
I don't think it was planned. Just don't see other salesmen from the same dealership bashing a car you're interested in.
"I guess it really comes down to what you want to spend and what is it worth to you. Myself, I didn't see the extra $2,500 in the "Higher quality engineering" as you say it.. in the Honda to make it worth my while."
Finally a reasonable statement. Different values for different people. But what you have repeatedly said is those people who do spend the extra money for an Accord are doing it because of perception and media brainwashing.
"Get out on the net and there are people with over 20,000 miles now on their Fusions with no issues. Why isn't this in the media? hmmm..."
Why is this news?
"Relaiblity is now pretty much a dead issue. The new buzz word now is 'refinement'"
I agree about reliability. Other aspects of quality is something I have always harped on. Just because a car is reliable doesn't doesn't mean it's a high quality car. The Buick Century before it was discontinued was a very reliable car but I hardly think of that car as high in quality. Crude comes more to mind.
"I kind of find it funny that you would own two vehicles of the same class/size. Why did you buy the Fusion?? and not another Accord?"
I fine some of your anecdotal stories funny. I would say he drives a Fusion becuase he likes how it drives and is a fan of Fords.
I have an 11 year old (next month it will be anyways) Accord with 167,000 miles on it, with only two major repairs in its lifetime (never leaving us stranded), which total a fairly cheap $600 (considering its age that's cheap to me). Why isn't this in the media (since longevity of particularly older Hondas is incredibly good)? When nothing is operating as it shouldn't, there is no news; let something operate outside of its expected function, THEN you have news (like Toyota recalling Scions being in USA Today, Toyota Highlander recalls making the Nightly News with the Big Three Media giants (NBC, ABC, CBS)). There are no stories that sound like "no recalls have been issued today... now over to Jim for sports..."
I can give you a possible answer to this. It has to do with how long a car, on average, stays on the lot compared another car. The longer the car stays on the lot, the more it costs the dealership. The Accords and Camrys have had much less average time on the lot than the domestics, therefore, the sales people jump at an opportunity at getting a car that usually spends more time on the lot off faster. They know the Accord will sell faster than the Fusion on average.
As for me not having two Accords, why not two Fusions? They are cheaper and are good cars. Well one reason is that my wife does not want to have the same car as me. Also, her sister has a black Milan so thats out of the question too. Another reason is the Honda dealership gave me much more for the Toyota I traded in than the Ford dealership wanted to. Also, my wife really likes the Accord. Not to mention that there is Ford blood on both sides of our family. We live in Southeast Michigan.
I wouldn't be so sure about that. Fusions are selling quite well. Do you have any facts to back that up?
I'm gonna jump in briefly; I think I recall that Ford cannot produce as many Fusions as Honda can Accords... and Accords are still selling well over 300k units a year (last figure I remember is ~370k Accords for 2005.
Nope, I wore the "Honda's are overrated, overdone, and over priced" Tee shirt that day.. :shades:
Ford needs to keep the build volume of the Fusin/Milan low. Build quality, they must keep quality up, fit/finish up to the highest standard possible for this segment of sedan. The competition is fierce.
I enjoy the comments and inquiries about my fusion. Still after over 6 months of ownership. I get someone at least once a week asking me about it.
I see some Fusions/Milans on the road but not near as many Accord/Camry. I like this...
I see more New Balance Shoes than I see Reeboks at school, too. Doesn't make Reeboks more desirable to me bud, sorry.