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Comparing the 2018 Ford Fusion vs the 2018 Ford Edge – Or why the crossover is winning via /r/cars

Comparing the 2018 Ford Fusion vs the 2018 Ford Edge – Or why the crossover is winning

TL;DR at bottom

So here on /r/cars, there is this endless debate over crossovers versus sedans, what their perceived advantages and disadvantages are, and why one would buy a crossover over a sedan. Well today, I thought I’d dig deep into the crossover vs sedan comparison, and I’ll dig deep into comparing the Ford Fusion and the Ford Edge, two midsized cars made by the same company on the same platform.

So first of all, let’s look at Fuel economy: https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?action=sbs&id=39545&id=39296&id=39552&id=39299

A FWD Fusion gets 1mpg better than a FWD Edge with the same engine. AWD Fusions and Edges get the same fuel economy. So obviously fuel economy isn’t a concern when choosing between the two.

On paper, it is possible to get Fusions for cheaper. The lowest MRSP for a Fusion is $22,840 while the Edge starts at $29,315. However, the cheapest Fusion is equipped to a much lower standard than the cheapest edge (steel wheels, 2.5L naturally aspirated engine, etc) than the cheapest Edge. A mechanically identical Fusion and Edge are nearly identical in price (2.0L Ecoboost AWD SEL Trim), with the Fusion being $32,165 and the Edge being $32,040.

Now from a size perspective, the two cars are nearly identical. Fusions are 191.7 inches long, and 72.9 inches wide, while Edges are 188.1 inches long (2 row version) and 75.9 inches wide. So yeah, the Fusion is 3 inches longer while the Edge is 3 inches wider. When it comes to parking and maneuverability, I don’t think the two would be much different, as they have nearly identical footprints.

The big difference comes down to practicality. Passenger wise, the Edge gets you a solid 113.9 cubic feet of passenger volume, while the fusion only has 102.8 cubic feet. The Edge gets better head and shoulder room on both the front and second rows. When it comes to leg room, the Fusion wins with 2 more inches of front leg room, but the Edge has 2 more inches of rear leg room.

Now when it comes to practicality, the Edge wins, and by a long shot. You get 39.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the 2nd row, while the Fusion only gets 16 cubic feet of space in the trunk. The Edge also becomes significantly more useful once you put down the 2nd row, while the fusion doesn’t improve by too much due to the trunk opening design.

Now the Fusion does win in 1 way, acceleration. The 2.7L Ecoboost Fusion makes it to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds, while the 2.7 Ecoboost Edge does it in 5.6. (Numbers from Car and Driver). Aside: how does the Edge get the same fuel economy despite more weight? Probably due to gearing, which contributes to worse acceleration

Shocking however, the Edge does not lose to the Fusion in handling. The best handling Fusion is the Fusion Sport, which corners at 0.84g, while the Edge Sport with the identical drivetrain corners at 0.83g. The standard Fusion Sport takes 178 feet to stop from 70mph to 0, a number the Edge, well, edges out the competition at 176 feet. Why did the Fusion lose to the Edge? The Edge Sport comes with 245s, while the Fusion Sport comes with 235s. Now Ford Performance does offer a tire upgrade to performance summer tires, allowing the Fusion Sport to pull 0.89g on the skidpad and stop from 70mph in 155 feet (again, performance data from Car and Driver).

But here’s the thing with the performance numbers, the Fusion sport is $40,910 (without the optional performance tires), while the Edge Sport is $38,765. So you’re paying $2000ish for a car that accelerates better, but doesn’t brake or turn better. I’m pretty sure however, the Fusion’s advantage is fleeting, as next year once the Edge ST comes out, it should at least match the Fusion Sport’s performance in every way around the same price.

So yes, I fully understand why Edge sales are soaring every year, while Fusion sales are declining (and won’t see a next generation). The Edge is just blatantly a better car in every single regard besides acceleration, where the top trim fusion that’s $2000 more expensive is better (and the upcoming Edge ST might beat).

Now I get it, the Edge is one of the better mid-sized SUVs, while the Fusion is around the middle of the pack when it comes to midsized sedans, but I think the same conclusion is playing out in dealerships of every single brand, where the crossover is beating the sedan in either every single aspect or maybe just losing a bit when it comes to performance figures while winning significantly in practicality at around the same price or just with a small premium.

And this is why I don’t personally lament the death of the family sedan. The average family sedan is just a meddling, mediocre product, designed to get you from A – B, while the modern crossover is a much better way to get from A – b, with more head and shoulder room, alongside better practicality at a minimal performance and fuel economy loss.

PS: What about wagons? Well considering that the Mondeo Estate and the Fusion Sedan are the same car outside of the 5th door, all my above conclusions still hold, since although the Mondeo Estate has slightly better practicality, the Edge still easily beats it. According to Ford UK, the Edge can load 800 liters with both rows up, the Mondeo Estate can only do 525 liters with both rows up.

TL;DR: The Edge is better than the Fusion in interior space and practicality, while being nearly identical in size, price, handling, and fuel economy. The only place where the Fusion is better than the mechanically identical Edge is acceleration.