Ford Fusion vs. Honda Accord

Sedans are considered as bottom-line of the automobile market worldwide. Here we are talking about the midsized sedans from the world’s most popular automobile companies: Ford and Honda. We will compare the sporty Ford Fusion with the elegant Honda Accord.

Ford Fusion is popular among the masses for its little bit aggressive styling, thick metallic grill in the front and the chunky brake lights. The cabin of the Fusion is very simple and conventional yet appealing while controls are very smooth and feel rich. Ford gives plenty of options and choices to buyers such as: gas or hybrid technology, manual or automatic transmissions and a choice of four engines with all or front-wheel drive. 

The base models have 175 horsepower with 2.5 liter 4-cylinder engine and 6-speed manual or automatic transmission. The 6-speed automatic transmission helps improve the fuel economy which is a big plus. The gas mileage of Ford Fusion is 24 MPG in the city while it improves to 32 MPG on the highway. The interior space of the car is not huge but it is arranged in a manner to make best use of the available space at top level. 

The driving position is lower than in the traditional sedan but there is enough space for the legs and over the head to fit in nicely and comfortably. The safety side of the car doesn’t have that much to offer but still does the job well. In safety features, this car has standard airbags and stability controls. It also comes with the traffic information and navigation system.

Honda Accord on the other hand has always brought the luxury car image and the best evidence of it is the availability of active noise cancellation feature. The Accord has great body control, powerful brakes and responsive maneuverability. The gas mileage of Accord has always been a strong point for the car. Accord gives does 26 MPG in the city which gets up to 37 MPG on the highway. 

The Accord has kept the always refreshing interior but after having a close look it seems like a more stylish rather than user friendly. The Accord is vastly spacious from the inside. The seats are very comfortable and plenty of room is available for the passengers to fit in. The navigation system has been installed in the car coupled with the rear view camera system and voice recognition.  As far as the safety is concerned the Accord has anti lock brakes and electronic stability control with airbags and active head restraints.

So, over all it is pretty much head to head between both these sedan beauties. But generally the Honda Accord noses ahead from Ford Fusion purposely for its fuel consumption, internal space and the safety features. As Honda has a proven track record in providing such feature in each of its product line. So, Honda Accord emerges out as winner in this competition.

Chevrolet Equinox vs Ford Escape

The comparison between these two powerful SUVs begins from the model built of Chevrolet Equinox which after redesign has become more authoritative and new. The interior has also been changed a little bit from the previous model and is roomier. On the other hand the design and outlook of Ford Escape has pretty much classic touch in it.

In the performance and gas mileage the Equinox offers an option between four cylinder or V6 engines which was also an addition in the newly designed vehicle. The base cars have 182 horsepower with 2.4 liter engine and the 6-speed automatic transmission. Escape on the other hand comes with similar features however the horsepower dips to 171hp.

As for the quality Equinox has a carlike cabin design and the driving position is also very carlike. So whether you are moving from you sedan or coupe to your SUV you won’t feel much difference. Equinox is an ideal vehicle for a small family travelling on a highway. Whereas in Escape four adults will find a plenty of room inside even though the floor is a little bit higher but room is fair enough over the head. The cargo space is good due to box shape of the vehicle.

Equinox has a great rating when it comes to safety. It is all packed with head and curtain sided airbags and seat mounted pelvic and thorax airbags as well. It also has 4 wheel disc brakes and electronic stability control named StabiliTrak. Escape used to be outstanding for the safety features but it lost the enigma in the recent years. The front and side impacts are protected but the roof impact is rated marginally due to which it lost its status of a highly safe vehicle.

In the features the Equinox has all the great features offered by this line of vehicles but the main and a more recent one added is the touch screen based connectivity with voice recognition for easier access while driving. The Escape is enabled with iPod connectivity and you can also connect your smartphone with the audio system. Bothe the SUVs are equipped with state of the art technology matching with the current demands.

The fuel consumption of the Equinox with 4-cylinder versions gives a far better gas mileage of 22 MPG in the city and 32 MPG on the highway whereas; with the V6 versions the mileage is drops to 16 MPG in the city and 22 MPG on the highway. The Escape with 4-cylinder versions the gas mileage is 23 MPG with in the city and 28 MPG on the highway while using the V6 engine the mileage is 18 MPG in the city and 23 MPG on the highway. With V6 version Escape edges pass Equinox and vice versa in 4-cylinder version.

So, these 2 SUVs have been close to each other in many attributes but overall Chevrolet Equinox emerges victor over Ford Escape particularly in the attributes of safety, quality, interior and exterior as Chevrolet has solved many of their shortcomings in the previous model.

Buick Enclave vs Mercedes Benz M Class

Here we are comparing two of the most powerful SUVs of the modern days; The Buick Enclave and the Mercedes Benz M Class. So let us begin with the exterior and the interior of both the vehicles. The Enclave certainly not has the refreshing style and design of General Motors, but it still looks classy and elegant from the outside. In the interior is mostly a success apart from some of the plastic trims used inside look very cheap. The Benz M Class on the other hand has a much more aggressive yet graceful look of the exterior while the interior is pretty much the same used in the S class flagship sedan.

Performance

The performance of the Enclave is 288 horsepower with 3.65 liter V6 engine. It works fine with the 6 speed automatic transmission and it offers front wheel drive along with all-wheel drive especially in any case of winter weather. As for the Benz it drives majorly like a luxury car and offer 3.5 liter V6 luxury engine which produces 302 horsepower and a torque of 275 pounds per feet. Here, the Benz crosses the Enclave by a fair margin.

Now as far as the quality is concerned the Enclave has huge plus when it comes to inside room. It is very spacious vehicle with a room for 8 passengers and even the last row is very acceptable for the adults to fit in and after this there is a huge cargo room as well. On the other hand, the Benz has a very stylish and luxurious interior, but a full row less than the Enclave. Though the room is enough for the adults to fit in however it is a bit squeezed up across. There is a good room for the cargo as well behind the second row. The Enclave passes by the Benz with this attribute.

When it comes to safety both these vehicles provide excellent results. The Enclave has topped all its test ratings like the front and side impact and back and the roof top impact. The Enclave comes with the standard equipment including the airbags for the front and the side seats and curtain airbags and electronic stability control system. The Benz on the other hand is also equipped with all these features, but one of them being the highlight named as the Attention Assist. The feature helps when the driver is yawning a little too much by triggering an alert.

Gas Mileage

Now for the gas mileage the Enclave gives 16 miles per gallon in the city and 22 miles per gallon on the highway which is little bit on the lower side with a 3.65 liter V6 engine. While the Benz with its 3.5 liter V6 luxury engine gives 20 miles per gallon in the city drive and 27 miles per gallon on the highway drive. The Benz again here passes by the Enclave with a fair margin. So overall, Mercedes Benz M Class emerges as the victor in this competition with the Buick Enclave primarily on its mileage and power packed performance. 

BMW 328i vs Infiniti G37

Let’s make a comparison between the two powerful and luxury sedans. Starting from the model built, the BMW 328i is longer in size and has that trademark kidney grille right in front of it and large head and tail lights giving it and aggressive look. The interior again is traditional and nothing out of the ordinary comes here. The G37 Infiniti stands aggressively as well with even larger lights while the elegant compact looks smoother. So, it is Infiniti to take the lead from the front.

Performance of BMW cars has been the benchmarks for sport sedans for decades. It comes with 2 liter 240-hp 4-cylinder while the V6 engines are installed in upper models. The 328i is one of the strongest machines and can achieve 0-60 mph in just 5.7 seconds and that is remarkable. The G37 with 3.7 liter V6 engine does not get that turbocharged power of BMW yet it has enough force to satisfy the speed enthusiasts. But overall G37 lands no where near the turbocharged 328i.

As far as the interior is concerned the 328i has much roomier cabin as compared to previous models. The normal person can easily fit in the rear seat now which was a hard go in previous models. The taller ones may still find it uneasy to get in and out of the vehicle by bending their heads. Here G37 is a weakling once again because interior is not as best as it should be. The interior may feel sporty but it has no lavish touch in it.

328i has a good safety rating apart from the other aspects. The front and side collision has higher while the roof-top collision and rear collision has marginal rating. It has more aluminum along with ultrahigh tensile steel whereas the G37 has an average crash test rating and has higher rating for front and side collision. The electronic stability control is standard in each trim. Here, 328i clearly defeats the G37.

Among other features, the 328i offers automatic climate control, dynamic cruise control, sun roof, fog lamps, ambient lighting, HD and USB Radio and Bluetooth connectivity. Whereas G37 comes with automatic climate control, XM satellite radio, 6 speaker audio system, adaptive front lighting and power front seats. 328i has an edge against G37 in the aspect of features as well.

The fuel consumption of the 328i with 4-cylinder engine gives a great gas mileage of 24 MPG in the city and 36 MPG on the highway whereas; The G37 with V6 engine gives the gas mileage of17 MPG with in the city and 25 MPG on the highway.BMW 328i has a clear edge over Infiniti G37 in the mileage.

So, the two sport sedans have been close to each other in some aspects but overall BMW 328i gains a fair victory over Infiniti G37 specifically in the attributes of quality, gas mileage and features as BMW has been the top notch in producing high quality vehicles over the years.

Audi Q5 VS BMW X3

Compact SUVs are the recognition of better efficiency now-a-days. Families are still looking for a way to travel between places all together. But customers who once born massive list prices and rising gas bills for Ute people with easiness are now sheltering in smaller than mid-size SUVs that keep their higher lineage at one place. Audi Q5 and BMW X3 are most popular crossovers and surely why not? Both models are classy, comparatively economical, and more entertaining in drive than their rivals in U.S. But when they come head to head, one has to be the winner for sure.

One is initiator while other is ruling SUVs segment. At one place, one dominates while at other, the opponent becomes heavier. That’s how the comparison of the two goes, but BMW eventually had to bring some upgrades including limiting its second generation X3 before bringing it to the front. The new BMW X3 is all set to challenge Audi Q5. Superficially, X3 does not appeal by any means but neither does the Q5. But with a longer wide-eyed gaze, one thing is obvious that Q5 is more fashioned while the X3 is a little more functional of the two. But on the whole, both sports machine are equally well-built and able to stand their individual trade symbols on their grille.

For interior, both SUVs pack top-notch kits including wider panoramic sunroof, a host of airbags, ESP, ABS, well-detailed infotainment systems with iDrive on X3 and MMI on Q5 while both have a seating capacity of five. Audi has more stylish and clean interior that appeals more than relatively low fashioned X3’s. While X3 has an edge for its little roomier cabin, Q5 features more comfortable rear seats. BMW X3 also has Start-Stop which the current Q5 fails to pick. There are 2.0-litre or 3.0-litre diesel engines to pick from while the Q5 has included an extra turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine as well.

The 2.0-litre diesel engine in BMW X3 is faster and stronger than the Q5’s which feels as slightly laggard. However on the economy end, both machines give you 10 kilometers per liter which is a good average especially for the vehicles of such size. Performance-wise, Audi’s turbocharged 4-cylinder engine obsoletes its own V6. The front drive, 211HP, 2.0-litre turbo four generates more power than 270-horsepower V6 with better mileage. It is a robust runner with 0-60mph times of just over 7 seconds not as speedier as the six but definitely economical.

BMW offers two six-cylinder drive-trains with now including the 8-speed automatic transmission, obscuring the Q5’s straight-line transmission and also offer better fuel economy. Of the two, we like the extraordinary acceleration of 300-horsepower on turbo six with 0-60mph times of just over 5.0 seconds. It is the nearest approximation of sedan performance in an SUV and the base model is going to be replaced in the 2013 with more turbocharged and economical four-cylinder engine. Surely, you would drive yourself to compare both machines. The X3 wins here by influencing its very crossover basics.