Audi A4 S-Line vs. AWD Ford Fusion Titanium - Are Those Four Rings Worth $7500 Extra?

The chances of a buyer cross-shopping an Audi A4 with a Ford Fusion are close to 0%.

This is an uneven comparison.

Not sure I'd agree with this.

If you're a car enthusiast or a label snob, then likely you're not going to ever cross shop a premium make with a non-premium make unless your wallet absolutely dictated it. However, the larger majority of buyers are non-enthusiasts and don't focus on labels or whether a car is FWD or RWD.

The line between premium and non-premium is getting more and more blurred each day, especially in the compact and mid-size sedan segment, and somewhat in the large-sedan segment. Non-premium makers are offering equipment levels and quality levels at a very high level, sometimes no different than what is offered on premium makes priced higher. In the compact/mid-size segments, buyers are being much more savvy and not drawn to a name and label as much as they are to a product and what it offers, in addition to consideration of maintenance costs and fuel economy.

To add…

My comment regarding the larger majority of buyers is specific to the compact/mid-size segments and that price range. Anything above that, i.e., E and S Class, 5 and 7 Series, then its' a different story and a different demographic of buyer.

Also, I think you'd be extremely surprised at how many people who regularly purchase Toyotas, Hondas, Fords, and Chevys, could EASILY afford almost any car from the luxury makes, but choose to purchase a non-premium car. I know many of them (and don't hang out with them..haha, just kidding).

Of course, this is why you see so many secretaries and douche bags driving a base 3-series like it's a Ferrari.

The A4 is for housewives, and high school girls. They have no idea the base version they drive is FWD with a cvt... They just want the badge.

Agree...

Interesting premise. And one that I've pondered more than once, recently.

Thirty or forty years ago, the premium brands' offerings were so far removed from the mainstream cars, that there were much greater benefits to considering them.

It seems we're in an age where we are offered great product, but lines are blurred. Cars are becoming more and more alike. Individual brands' personality and distinction is fading.

Over the years, I've owned many high end Euro cars, and loved them. But the attraction is less and less all the time.

Also, it's not just the premium at purchase time. It's frequency of repairs, the cost of those repairs, higher insurance rates, usually greater percentage of depreciation, the inconvenience of poorer reliability, etc.

I still love some of these cars, including Audi. But I question myself a little more these days.

BINGO!

We used to argue pedigree, and features only obtained in a premium car.

Now that has all gone away.

Call me shallow, but I would gladly spend the extra $7500 for the A4. It performs just as well as the Fusion and my friends are not going to get excited to go out to lunch in a Ford. It's all about prestige with luxury cars. No one's ears perk up when they find out someone bought a Ford Fusion. It's a shallow point of view, but we all know it's how most of us feel.

...you need better friends.

Personally, I would load out an Accord and take that over the Audi and the Ford.

Those who say it's an uneven comparison are German car snobs. The Fusion is good enough that the Audi has no purpose to charge $7500 more...then factor in the superior Ford reliability and better styling and it's Ford all the way.

The current A4 is not that great a deal anymore, even with 3k to 4k knocked off by dealer to make a sale. Why buy a luxury car with an outdated 2.0T engine, relatively low power output compared to its competitors and not so great fuel economy for 45K (A4 Prestige) to 50 K (A5 Prestige)? It looks great, but the car deserves a much better engine, especially for A4s priced over 40K. The A4 used to be the bread and butter model for Audi. I understand Audi has now delayed the next iteration for another year or more beyond original target due to unsatisfactory reception with Audi corporate. It's good they are trying to get it right, but it is also kind of ridiculous that they could not do better in the 5 years the current iteration has been out. How are they going to keep the current model fresh for another year or two and ensure the new version surpasses where the C-Class and 3-series will be at the time when it does finally come out? The expectations are going to be extremely high when it is released.

This comparison is retarded.... Im a huge fan of Ford and Audi, probably two best companies in their classes. Even the most frugal value oriented person isnt comparing Ford and Audi. The question of whether an Audi A4 is worth $7,500 more than a Ford Fusion is yes every time. Here are some simple facts from a automotive research company... If you message me I would be happy to share their website with you which compares any vehicle you want against each other.

Pretty much I would be happy to pay $10k, $12k, $15k for an Audi over a Ford. The dummies that agree with this article probably ended up in a Mercedes CLA lease because they thought it was better than Ford and something they can afford and still show up to pick up their friends a new Mercedes. Dummies. Even the new Audi A3 craps on the best in "non luxury" class Ford Fusion.

Here we go...

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Audi A4 have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Ford Fusion doesn’t offer pretensioners for the rear seat belts.

The A4 has a standard Audi Backguard System, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Audi Backguard System moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. At the same time the pretensioning seatbelts fire, removing slack from the belts. The Fusion doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The Audi A4 has Daytime Running Lights to help keep it more visible under all conditions. Canadian government studies show that driving with lights during the day reduces accidents by 11% by making vehicles more conspicuous. The Fusion doesn’t offer Daytime Running Lights.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Audi A4 is safer than the Ford Fusion:

A4

Fusion

Driver

STARS

5 Stars - A4

5 Stars - FUSION

HIC

104 - A4

125 - FUSION

Neck Injury Risk

28% - A4

28% - FUSION

Neck Stress

200 lbs. - A4

200 lbs. - FUSION

Neck Compression

16 lbs. - A4

24 lbs. - FUSION

Leg Forces (l/r)

128/269 lbs. - A4

167/333 lbs. - FUSION

Passenger

STARS

5 Stars - A4

4 Stars - FUSION

HIC

252 - A4

254 - FUSION

Neck Injury Risk

35% - A4

52% - FUSION

Neck Stress

144 lbs. - A4

197 lbs. - FUSION

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH, results indicate that the Audi A4 is safer than the Ford Fusion:

A4

Fusion

OVERALL STARS

5 Stars - A4

4 Stars - FUSION

Front Seat

STARS

HIC

252

254

Neck Injury Risk

35%

52%

Neck Stress

144 lbs.

197 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH, results indicate that the Audi A4 is safer than the Ford Fusion:

A4

Fusion

OVERALL STARS

5 Stars

4 Stars

Front Seat

STARS

4 Stars

3 Stars

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.
Warranty

The A4 comes with a full 4 year/50,000 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 1 year and 14,000 miles sooner.

The A4’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Fusion’s (12 vs. 5 years).

Reliability

The Audi A4’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the Fusion’s engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2013 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Audi vehicles are better in initial quality than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Audi 13th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 23 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is ranked 27th, below the industry average.

Engine

The A4’s 2.0 turbo 4 cyl. produces 45 more horsepower (220 vs. 175) and 83 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 175) than the Fusion’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4 cyl. The A4’s 2.0 turbo 4 cyl. produces 42 more horsepower (220 vs. 178) and 81 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 177) than the Fusion’s optional 1.5 turbo 4 cyl. The A4’s 2.0 turbo 4 cyl. produces 38 more horsepower (220 vs. 182) and 74 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 184) than the Fusion’s optional 1.6 turbo 4 cyl.

Transmission

An eight-speed automatic is optional on the Audi A4 Quattro, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the Fusion.

The A4 has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Fusion doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the A4’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Fusion:

A4

Fusion

Front Rotors

12.6 inches

11.8 inches

The A4 stops much shorter than the Fusion:

A4

Fusion

80 to 0 MPH

206 feet

216 feet

Road & Track

70 to 0 MPH

165 feet

175 feet

Car and Driver

60 to 0 MPH

113 feet

120 feet

Motor Trend

60 to 0 MPH (Wet)

133 feet

145 feet

Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the A4 has larger sta

Suspension and Handling

The A4 2.0T Sedan Quattro handles at .90 G’s, while the Fusion SE pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Road & Track skidpad test.

The A4 2.0T Sedan Quattro executes Motor Trend ’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.5 seconds quicker than the Fusion SE (25.9 seconds @ .69 average G’s vs. 27.4 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

Chassis

The A4 is 6.7 inches shorter than the Fusion, making the A4 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Cargo Capacity

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the A4 offers cargo security. The Fusion’s non-lockable folding seat and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

Servicing Ease

The A4 uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Fusion uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The engine in the A4 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Fusion. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Audi service is better than Ford. J.D. Power ranks Audi 6th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 60% lower rating, Ford is ranked 20th.

Ergonomics

The A4 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.

The A4’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Fusion’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the A4 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Fusion doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The A4 offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Fusion doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the A4 Prestige has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Fusion doesn’t offer cornering lights. The A4 Prestige also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle

The A4’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Ford only offers heated mirrors on the Fusion SE/Titanium.

The A4’s standard automatic temperature control maintains the temperature you set, automatically controlling fan speed, vents and temperature to maintain a consistent, comfortable environment. The Fusion S doesn’t offer automatic air conditioning.

Both the A4 and the Fusion offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the A4 has available 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.

Economic Advantages

The A4 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The Intellichoice estimates that the A4 will retain 52.03% of its original price after five years, while the Fusion only retains 43.81% to 46.08%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the A4 is less expensive to operate than the Fusion because typical repairs cost less on the A4 than the Fusion, including $21 less for an alternator and $147 less for a timing belt/chain.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports ® recommends the Audi A4, based on reliability, safety and performance.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the A4 second among compact premium cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Fusion isn’t in the top three in its category.

The A4 is ranked first in its class and received the 2012 “Total Quality Award.” The Fusion is not ranked.

Ford Fusion build quality is a farce. And the ride feels like... a Ford.

So I'm not sure what the point of this comparison is.

For me, the styling alone justifies the $8,000 premium of the Audi over the Ford.

Beyond the styling, I've never been satisfied with the way Ford cars, trucks are a different story, drive. From the steering to the seats, they have never felt quite right to me.