| 2010 Ford Fusion vs 2010 Mazda 6 | November 17, 2009 | AUTORIVALS.NET |
| Share |
|
|
|
| The Ford Fusion has gained popularity after its recent redesign and now sits among the top 10 best-selling automobiles (at spot number 10). The Mazda 6 hasn't been able cover as much ground but the good news is that the Mazda 6 and Ford Fusion are closely related. They're not as close as brothers like the Fusion and Mercury Milan are, but more like cousins. They share the same platform and other parts but designs fall into two completely different categories. | ||
| 2010 Ford Fusion | vs | 2010 Mazda 6 |
 The Ford Fusion is one of the first Ford's to incorporate the upcoming new company look. The trapezoidal lower grill is a fresh design and looks good accented by the fog lights. The triple wide chrome grill is another story. Ford seems to have a fascination with chrome these days and might've gone over the top on this one. It doesn't necessarily look bad and actually pulls it off with the extension over the headlights. |
 The Mazda 6's front end styling depends on taste. The curvature of the front fenders are distinctive and create a fluid look. The overall look is more moderate than the Fusion and lacks the aggressiveness. The main disappointment is the styling of the lower grill that is bland and extends too far across the front bumper. But if you like the look, enjoy it while you can. It's only a matter of time until Mazda ruins the 6 like the rest of their models by adding the gigantic smile to it. |
|
 |
 |
|
| The 6's front fenders resemble the
RX-8 and pulled off various concept cars in the recent years.
They might look good on sports cars and concepts but on a sedan
is hit or miss. The most distinguishing feature of the Fusion
(aside from the grill) is the hood which is contoured handsomely
to match the front's design. |
||
 |
 |
|
| The Mazda edges out the Fusion in side profile design. The well-formed window shape contours to the car's profile with perfect proportions. The more rigid Ford has an misshapen C-pillar that is too large and cuts the window silhouette too short. | ||
 Ford seems to have trouble finishing off their designs well. Just like the new Taurus, the rear is where things just fall apart for the design beginning at the C-pillar. The tail lights, trunk design, and even bumper look 1990s, or even 1980s. The rear profile is also too tall for the body but at least it adds cargo space. |
 The Mazda on the other hand, is where everything falls together beautifully. Where the front might not appeal to all, it's hard to deny the exquisiteness of the 6's rear. The tail lights are elegant and flow into the bumper and trunk. Even the exhaust pipes are unique and integrated well. |
|
 |
 |
|
| The Mazda wins hands down for rear end styling. The profile is just the right size fitted with stunning tail lights. Even the tail lights are magnificent and integrated well into the rear bumper. The Ford is another story. The already tall profile is made worse with the license plate housing placed too high and misshapen tail lights. Once again, chrome is added only this time to the trunk with the third brake light awkwardly sitting on top. Lastly, the exhaust pipes look 1980s style just hanging there out of place. | ||
 |
 |
|
| The blue trim shown in the Fusion isn't standard (thank goodness). The layout designs are similar to each other but the 6 looks a bit more refined. The Fusion's materials look cheaper and the layout lacks the smoothness of the 6. Functionality wise, Mazda added an information screen atop of the center vents while Ford added a small closable compartment instead. | ||
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| RECAP | RECAP | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
PROS +Nicely designed front fascia CONS -Poorly proportioned C-pillar -1980/1990s rear styling |
PROS +Exquisite rear fascia +Unique exhaust pipes CONS -Hit or miss front styling |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Video Source: YouTube via Car and Driver |
| NOTES |
| The Ford Fusion seems to win in the front end styling
department. The Mazda 6 however, wins in the rear end styling
department. If they could just put them together, they'd have a
real winner. Everyone knows that Ford is American and Mazda is Japanese but here's an interesting fact: the final assembly for the Ford Fusion is actually in Mexico while the Mazda 6 is assembled in the United States. It begs the question, which car is more American now? |
|
|