2020 Ford Fusion vs 2020 Mazda6 – Albany, NY

Gas, Hybrid, and Plug-In Hybrid! 

The 2020 Ford Fusion features five powertrains, and all of them are good options, blending power and efficiency. Whether you are looking for power, fuel efficiency, or high-performance, you can find an option that will fit your needs. The base engine is a 2.5-liter inline-4 with 173 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque. This is a modern engine with plenty of merging and passing power that returns 21 city/31 highway MPG. With its combination of power and efficiency, this is a great entry-level engine and comes standard on the S trim. The second engine comes standard with the SE and SEL trims and is a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-4 with 181 hp and 185 lb-ft of torque. This engine increases power and is also more fuel-efficient, returning 23 city/34 highway MPG. And while these are two great options, you still have three more to choose from, and they are all exciting options.

 A 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 is one of the options for the Ford Fusion. This engine further increases power while also returning an excellent fuel-efficiency rating of 21 city/31 highway MPG. With 245 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque, it offers incredible power. This engine is standard on the Titanium Fusion trim, and it’s also a part of the SE AWD Package. The next two options are for the environmentally conscious, or for people who don’t like to spend a lot of money on gas. A 2.0-liter inline-4 with a hybrid motor returns 43 city/41 highway MPG, while a plug-in hybrid version of the same engine returns 103 MPGe. The plug-in hybrid also has 25 miles of electric-only EV range. So no matter what you are looking for, whether it be power or all-wheel-drive capability or fuel-sipping efficiency, the 2020 Ford Fusion has a model for your family and lifestyle.

Two Simple Options 

The 2020 Mazda6 follows the 2020 Ford Fusion a while, with similar base and optional engines, but then ends the conversation there. The standard engine for the Sport and Touring trims is a 2.5-liter Skyactiv 4-cylinder engine with 187 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque. This engine has a feature called "cylinder deactivation," which improves fuel economy and lessens wear and tear on the engine. It returns 26 city/35 highway MPG, which is excellent, but the engine is paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission, which has fewer gears than many rivals. The Mazda6’s charm is in its focus on performance, so this is a little disappointing.  

The optional engine for the Mazda6 is a 227 hp turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine mated to the same 6-speed automatic transmission. This engine typically uses regular gasoline; however, with 93 octane fuel, it can hit up to 250 hp, while also turning 310 lb-ft of torque. Although, fuel efficiency drops to 23 city/31 highway MPG with this engine. For a sedan focused on performance, you would expect more from the Mazda6 than to just keep pace, but there are no more engine options. If you are looking for a hybrid powertrain or all-wheel drive, the Mazda6 is not the midsize sedan for you.

The Ford Fusion's Interior

The 2020 Ford Fusion offers a great deal of standard tech and convenience features. From Ford Co-Pilot360 Protect safety suite, standard on all 2020 Ford Fusions, to a power driver’s seat along with Sirius satellite radio, Sync 3, and FordPass Connect, the Fusion offers families a variety of options to outfit their ride. 

Moving up in trim levels adds even more: SEL models come with heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, a special easy-to-clean interior fabric, and a premium 11-speaker audio system. The Titanium trim adds a 12-speaker Sony audio system, a heated steering wheel, heated and cooled seats, leather seating, inflatable rear seatbelts, adaptive cruise control, and voice-activated navigation. In all, the Fusion is jam-packed with features and allows for much customization. 

Inside the Mazda 

The 2020 Mazda6 brings considerable charm with a nice-looking interior but lacks the standard features and comfort of the Fusion. The rear legroom, for instance, is tight, at only 38.7 inches, and trunk space is limited with only 14.7 cu.ft. In comparison, the 2020 Ford Fusion has 16 c.ft. of trunk space, which is roomier than most in its class, and you will especially appreciate the room when packing the car for your first road trip. Special features for the 2020 Mazda6 include an 8-inch display, heated front seats, power-adjustable driver’s seat, power moonroof, and 19-inch alloy wheels. In general, it is a nice vehicle. However, it does not stand up to the Ford. 

Which Is Better?

Both the Ford Fusion and Mazda6 come well equipped with innovative tech and convenience features. With both midsize sedans, there is plenty of standard and optional features to accommodate any lifestyle. The Fusion’s Sync 3—Ford’s smart, hands-free entertainment and vehicle information system—is the standout here, giving the Fusion the edge. The Sync 3 system is voice-activated technology, which helps you communicate, find your way around, operate your vehicle, and enjoy yourself on the road. Flexible, updatable, and configurable to your individual preferences, the Sync 3 system steals the show, and the extra space inside the Fusion helps too.

Ford Co-Pilot360 Safety

What do all 2020 Ford Fusion models have in common? They all feature Ford’s Co-Pilot360. This advanced suite of safety features includes automatic emergency braking (with pedestrian protection), blind-spot information (with cross-traffic alert), a lane-keeping system, a rearview camera, rain-sensing wipers, and auto high-beam lighting. The Co-Pilot 360 Assist Package, which is available on the SE and SEL and standard on the Titanium trim, includes adaptive cruise control as well. Ford Co-Pilot360 is aptly named as it is a comprehensive suite of safety features that checks all of the boxes to keep you and your family safe on the road.

The Mazda6's Safety Suite

The 2020 Mazda6 features a full suite of driver aids as well, including forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking, which is activated at speeds between 2 and 50 mph. Pedestrian detection works at speeds over 6 mph. Blind-spot monitoring is standard as well, and this monitors the lanes on either side of the vehicle. High-beam control is another standard safety feature, and this monitors oncoming traffic and automatically dims the headlights when a vehicle is approaching. When cars leave the range, the system automatically turns on the high beams.

Comparing Safety Suites

While both the 2020 Ford Fusion and 2020 Mazda6 demonstrate a commitment to safety with their many advanced safety features, the Ford Fusion makes just about everything standard, including a rearview camera, which gives the Fusion the edge for safety. Ford clearly shows it has made your safety a priority by offering its most advanced safety features on even the entry-level model, making this technology available to everyone.