Jones Auto Centers Compares 2016 Kia Optima VS 2016 Ford Fusion Near Buckeye, AZ

The Optima has standard Active Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Headrests system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Fusion doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The Optima (except LX/EX) offers optional Autonomous Emergency Braking, which use forward mounted sensors to warn the driver of a possible collision ahead. If the driver doesn’t react and the system determines a collision is imminent, it automatically applies the brakes at full-force in order to reduce the force of the crash or avoid it altogether. The Fusion offers an available collision warning system without the automated brake feature that would prevent or reduce the collision if the driver fails to react.

The Optima (except LX/EX) offers an optional Around View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Fusion only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

Both the Optima and the Fusion have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front-wheel drive, height-adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, rearview cameras, available lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

The Optima comes with a full 5-year/60,000 mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Fusion’s 3-year/36,000 mile basic warranty expires 2 years and 24,000 miles sooner.

Kia’s powertrain warranty covers the Optima 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Ford covers the Fusion. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Fusion ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Optima has a standard 800-amp battery (760 2.0T). The Fusion’s 500-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2015 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are better in initial quality than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 21 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is ranked 12th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2015 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia 20th in reliability. With 30 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is ranked 24th.

The Optima has more powerful engines than the Fusion:

On the EPA test cycle the Optima LX Turbo gets better fuel mileage than the Fusion w/Start/Stop 1.5 turbo 4 cyl. (28 city/39 hwy vs. 25 city/37 hwy).

On the EPA test cycle the Optima LX with its standard engine gets better fuel mileage than the Fusion FWD with its standard engine (25 city/37 hwy vs. 22 city/34 hwy).

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Kia Optima uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Fusion with the 2.0 turbo 4 cyl. engine requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Optima has 2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Fusion FWD’s standard fuel tank (18.5 vs. 16.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Optima has a gallon more fuel capacity than the Fusion AWD’s standard fuel tank (18.5 vs. 17.5 gallons).

For better stopping power the Optima’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Fusion:

The Optima stops shorter than the Fusion:

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Optima is .5 inches wider in the front and 1.1 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Fusion.

For better maneuverability, the Optima’s turning circle is 1.7 feet tighter than the Fusion’s (35.8 feet vs. 37.5 feet).

The Kia Optima may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 200 to 250 pounds less than the Ford Fusion.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the Optima is rated a Large car by the EPA, while the Fusion is rated a Mid-size.

The Optima has .6 inches more front headroom, 1.2 inches more front legroom, 1 inch more front hip room, .3 inches more front shoulder room and 1.6 inches more rear hip room than the Fusion.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Optima LX Turbo/EX/SX/SXL’s trunk can be opened just by holding your hand near the emblem on the trunk, leaving your hands completely free. The Fusion doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its trunk, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The Optima has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent vandalism, such as sugar in the tank and fuel theft. The Fusion doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Optima SX/SXL has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Fusion doesn’t offer cornering lights.

Both the Optima and the Fusion offer available heated front seats. The Optima also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Fusion.

Both the Optima and the Fusion offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Optima offers optional rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Fusion S doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.