Toyota Camry vs Ford Fusion

What’s better about the 2018 Camry?

More standard power. The base Camry now comes with 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. That’s better than the two base engines on the Fusion; they have 175 horsepower/175 pound-feet of torque and 181 horsepower/185 pound-feet of torque respectively.

Better hybrid. Toyota is a pioneer in the hybrid world of autos so it’s no surprise that its Camry Hybrid is significantly more fuel efficient than the Fusion Hybrid. The 2018 Camry Hybrid is rated by the EPA at 51/53/52 MPG city/highway/combined. Meanwhile, the Ford is rated at 43/41/42 MPG city/highway/combined.

Better standard safety features. All trim levels of this 2018 Camry come standard with an impressive grab-bag of active safety features. These include pre-collision warning and braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure alert with steering assist and adaptive cruise control. On the Ford, these features are optional.

What’s better about the 2018 Ford?

More space. The Fusion has a bit more passenger space and cargo space than the Camry. The numbers aren’t overwhelmingly in Ford’s favor but they’re enough to take note of if size is a crucial factor in choosing your midsize sedan.

All-wheel-drive. For buyers who want the peace of mind that all-wheel-drive can bring, Ford’s Fusion has it as an option while Toyota’s Camry doesn’t.

More performance options. Buyers looking to mix a little fun into their family sedans have better ways to do it with the Fusion since it offers a more robust performance-oriented engine option with its 2.7-liter turbocharged V6 engine. It makes 325 horsepower compared to the Camry’s optional (non-turbo) V6 that makes 301 horsepower.

Plug-in hybrid availability. For all Toyota’s expertise in hybrids, they lack one thing the Ford Fusion offers: a plug-in hybrid model. It is rated at 97 MPGe by the EPA and comes with 21 miles of electric-only range before switching to gas.

Autolist’s take:

This generation of Ford’s Fusion has been one of the better-looking models in the family sedan segment since it first came out as a 2013 model. It also packs a nice variety of engine choices, great interior and trunk space and the option for all-wheel-drive. But the 2018 Camry counters all that will impeccable reliability, more standard power (matched with handling that got much better for 2018) and important safety features standard. These benefits are too good to ignore, so we say Buy the Camry.