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2025 Buick Enclave vs Honda PilotUnder $10,000: Hyundai Sonata vs Ford Fusion
If you have $10,000 to spend on a used Hyundai Sonata or Ford Fusion, which one should you go for? Check out this comparison for a rundown on the best bet.
Used Hyundai Sonata vs Ford Fusion
If you’re in the market for a mid-size sedan, you may have noticed the segment is smaller than ever as automakers continue to move away from sedans and into SUVs. In fact, Blue Oval fans would be disappointed to learn that Ford has flat out abandoned the traditional car market with 2020 being the final year of their mid-size sedan-offering, the Fusion. Fortunately, there is a robust used sedan market for those who appreciate the lighter weight and finer handling of which an SUV can’t compete. With a $10,000 budget, the aforementioned Fusion was a solid option and a used Hyundai Sonata is an obvious competitor.
Specs and Cost
While a new Ford Fusion stickered between $24,000 and $34,000 during its final year, a 2013 model with 60,000 to 70,000 miles on it can be found for $10,000 or less. That happens to be the first year of the Fusion’s second-generation which saw striking new sheet metal on a new chassis. Dressed with a stepped hood design, raked windshield, and nearly fastback rear, the 2013 Ford Fusion approached the “four-door coupe” design popularized by the Mercedes-Benz CLS. Earning a 5-star rating from NHTSA and Top Safety Pick+ award from IIHS, the second-gen Fusion represented excellent mid-size sedan value.
A used Hyundai Sonata from 2014 offers a nearly apples-to-apples cost comparison to the Fusion. The original MSRP was in the same range and for about $10,000, you can find a nice used model in the same mileage bracket. Though 2014 was the final production year for the sixth-gen Sonata, the 2013 model earned a Most Dependable Mid-Size Car award. Offering an equally alluring four-door coupe look to the Fusion, Hyundai’s mid-size sedan also had the NHTSA 5-star rating. However, the used Hyundai Sonata is about 200 pounds lighter than the Ford competitor, has slightly larger in trunk space at 16.4 cu-ft vs 16 for the Fusion, and passenger volume at 103.8 cu-ft to the Ford’s 102.8.
Driving and Performance
While a 2013 Ford Fusion came with three engine options, the used model we’re looking at is typically an SE with the EcoBoost (AKA turbocharged) 1.6-liter 4-cylinder. Unusual for this segment was the available 6-speed manual transmission, though most Fusions came with a 6-speed automatic running the front wheels. Making 173 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, this powertrain was the first time Ford applied idle start-stop technology which helped with the solid EPA fuel economy estimates of 25 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway.
Base Fusions came with a naturally aspirated, 2.5-liter 4-cylinder and higher trims could be had with a more potent EcoBoost 2.0-liter engine making 231 hp and 270 lb-ft of twist, plus AWD, but they’re harder to find with under 100,000 miles for less than ten grand. The SE, like all 2013 Fusions, sported a four-way independent suspension and electric power-assisted steering that imbued it with athletic handling. 17” alloys were standard, though 18” wheels were available.
A comparable 2014 Hyundai Sonata in used form is the SE trim with a naturally aspirated, 2.4-liter 4-cylinder making 190 horses and 179 torques, run to the front-wheels via a 6-speed automatic. This motor was standard on all three trim levels, though a pricier 274 hp turbocharged 2.0-liter mill was optional on SE and Limited models. Achieving fuel efficiency ratings of 24 mpg around town and 35 mpg on the highway, the naturally aspirated Sonata came close to matching the Fusion while offering a nice power bump.
The Sonata is also equipped with a fully independent suspension including a multilink rear configuration. All trims also came with driver selectable settings for steering effort and the base GLS trim sported 16” alloys whereas an entry-level Fusion had hubcaps covering steelies. If you can find a used Hyundai Sonata SE with the turbo for under $10,000, you’ll be greeted with a sport suspension, sport tuned exhaust, and paddle-shifters.
Comfort and Interior
Across the 2013 Ford Fusion lineup, acoustic underbody shields and a full-perimeter hood seal offered high levels of noise insulation to achieve a quiet cabin. Cloth seating and single-zone, manually operated HVAC were standard equipment on entry-level models, but the SE could be upgraded with dual-zone, automatic climate controls, leather upholstery, and a moonroof. Outboard rear seats are equipped with the LATCH child seat system and other options to look for are 10-way power adjustable and heated front seats.
While the 2014 Hyundai Sonata competes as a mid-size sedan, the EPA technically classifies it as a large car due to its interior dimensions. For instance, the Sonata’s total interior volume measures 120.2 cubic feet against the Ford’s 118.8, a notable distinction if you intend to cart around multiple passengers. The Sonata is similar to the Fusion with cloth upholstery, manual seats, and single-zone HVAC featured on base GLS models while leather, power-adjusting heated seats, and automatic climate controls are available on the midpack SE trim. However, the Hyundai offers amenities unavailable on the Ford like heated rear seats, ventilated fronts, LED ambient lighting, and a panoramic sunroof.
Trims and Features
For 2013, the Ford Fusion could be had in entry-level S trim, midpack SE, or top-spec Titanium. S and SE models are readily available for less than $10,000 with fewer than 100,000 miles, but the SE has a higher level of standard features and options not found on the S. Outside, 17” alloy wheels are a step up from the 16” steel wheels with hubcaps found on the S model. Standard equipment on the SE includes voice-activated SYNC software with Bluetooth audio and phone connectivity plus three 12-volt outlets.
Ford also offered a long list of driver-assistance aids that were standard on the Titanium and optional for the SE like adaptive cruise control, active park assist, rain sensing wipers, and lane keeping alert. An 8” touchscreen infotainment interface was also available on the SE along with navigation, a pair of USB ports, and Sony 12-speaker audio system.
A key difference for the 2014 Hyundai Sonata is that even base GLS models came with the option for a touchscreen interface, albeit small at 4.3”. The SE and Limited models sported an 8” touchscreen for infotainment duty along with the same Bluetooth connectivity found on the Fusion. Hyundai did not offer nearly as many active-safety features as the Fusion with blind spot monitoring the only optional system on this front. Additional options to look for are a navigation system and premium, 12-speaker stereo by Infinity.
Should You Buy a Used Hyundai Sonata or Ford Fusion?
In a comparison between a used Hyundai Sonata from 2014 and used Ford Fusion from 2013, it’s a tight race. The Ford is arguably more handsome with its Aston Martin-esque front grille and athletic proportions. It also came with a much longer list of driver-assistance aids. However, those were the early years of active-safety systems, so they may come across as somewhat clunky today. Moreover, the used Hyundai Sonata offers more amenities that are likely to function just fine in 2021 such as a panoramic sunroof and ventilated front seats. That combined with the more powerful engine lineup and slightly roomier accommodations noses the used Hyundai Sonata in front of its Fusion counterpart.
