Fusion Sport

[Doel]

Unleashed tuning =100+ HP on a FS is also = guaranteed blown engine. There is so much more head room on a 3.3 V6 than compared to the 2.7 V6.

I don't know anything about the FS, but saying adding an extra 100 hp is a guaranteed blown engine is a bit silly without any evidence. I'm sure a lot of people would say "Adding 100 hp to a Kia makes it a ticking time bomb!". Let's not be one of those guys.

 

[Doel]

Friend here from the Fusion Sport crowd.

According to C&D, the FS (AWD) is 1/2 second slower than the Stinger GT (AWD):

Fusion Sport AWD
0-60 mph: 5.1 sec
¼-mile: 13.7 sec @ 101 mph
Weight: 4127 lbs

Stinger GT AWD
0-60 mph: 4.6 sec
¼-mile: 13.2 sec @ 108 mph
Weight: 4157 lbs

Got my FS last year as a new '17 leftover, paid $27k US. Two guys on our forum just purchased new '18 leftovers, paid $24k US. Incidentally, no one is really "talking smack" about the Stinger GT on our forum. As a matter of fact, we've been having a pretty healthy debate on the topic. So ...

Just for fun I had to drive a Stinger GT AWD to see what all the commotion was about. My thoughts:

• GT handles flatter in the corners
• GT's extra power is definitely there, but not day/night difference
• GT has great styling
• GT's interior is upscale by comparison
• GT's optional sound system was ok compared to "base" FS 9 speaker system (req adjusting?)
  
• Remote start (a must for cold climate dwellers) is a $500 option, standard on the FS
  
• No base GT's available within 50 miles of my area, all are 48-52k 2018/2019 GT1's/GT2's

All in all, the GT is a very adept/very capable car. But 24-27k for a new FS leftover makes it enticing.

Peace Out.

It's not really fair to compare leftover pricing to MSRP. I had my GT1 marked down to 37k before buying it, also got 0% financing. Next year you might be able to find a "left over" Stinger for even cheaper. The FS has an MSRP of 40k, that puts it in between a GT and GT1. I wouldn't touch one for that price, but it sounds like a good deal for the mid 20s.

 

[Regs120]

It's always a gamble to mod, but after seeing a few or maybe many having issues with unleashed over at the Mustang forums, I find them the most riskiest of the tuners.

 

[BlaydeX15]

I was considering the Fusion Sport, coming from an '11 Fusion SEL with the 240 HP V6...

But comparing "what you actually paid" prices, I wanted brand new, and I got a brand new Stinger GT for 32k OTD. The Fusion couldn't compare.

Additionally, I didn't want to buy a car that the manufacturer might stop making parts for, since Ford is killing it's car branch.

But if you're willing to go 1-2 year used, the Fusion Sport is definitely worth considering if a Stinger is pushing the budget too high.

 

[lucif3r]

Im actually surprised that the Fusion puts out that kind of power. For that price it's def a worthy competitor. I will probably never own a domestic vehicle tho.

 

[MisterMac]

I am glad there are people who like the Fusion Sport and want to buy it. For me, it is blah. Dime a dozen, so to speak. Uninspiring, that's all.

I don't eat supermarket steak. I only eat the best dry aged steak. Why? because it looks better, tastes better, and brings me more enjoyment. it never needs steak sauce. Doesn't shrink or shrivel as the blood and fat drain out while being grilled. It melts in my mouth with every savory bite, unlike the supermarket steak. Yes, the dry aged beef cost about twice as much as the supermarket steak, yet to me it is worth every penny.

Same thing when comparing the Fusion Sport to the Stinger GT: supermarket steak vs. dry aged beef. Personal preference.

 

[ScottM]

I am glad there are people who like the Fusion Sport and want to buy it. For me, it is blah. Dime a dozen, so to speak. Uninspiring, that's all.

I don't eat supermarket steak. I only eat the best dry aged steak. Why? because it looks better, tastes better, and brings me more enjoyment. it never needs steak sauce. Doesn't shrink or shrivel as the blood and fat drain out while being grilled. It melts in my mouth with every savory bite, unlike the supermarket steak. Yes, the dry aged beef cost about twice as much as the supermarket steak, yet to me it is worth every penny.

Same thing when comparing the Fusion Sport to the Stinger GT: supermarket steak vs. dry aged beef. Personal preference.

I like the concept of what you are saying, but for those who cannot afford the fancy steak...they must buy the supermarket stuff and use steak sauce. Like...maybe someone using NOS, in some cases. Having said that, I'm fine with the supermarket steak... I however, will pay the extra for a nicer house/car (relatively speaking). Oh, then a decent fridge to keep the supermarket steak at the appropriate temperature until ready to grill on the engine of the nicer car.

 

[twig2121]

I did cross shop to a FS. The fusion is decent, but just doesn't compare to the stinger IMO:
- Looks - The fusion looks like every other fusion whereas the stinger's unique
- Driving - stinger's rear-biased sport mode feels better as a driver. Handling is also better
- power - I think they both are powerful and upgradeable (as most forced inductions are), but bigger displacement is an edge for power
- practicality - the stinger's hatch is a big positive for me

I realize ford did the best they could without spawning off a whole new car, but you need to take risks like kia did and it's well done

That being said - if you're on a budget and find a great price, the FS is much better than an accord or camry IMO

 

[turboAWD]

I looked at the Fusion Sport, since I need a usable 4-door car. As far as I could tell, they had a lot of issues with the center diff (transfer case?) barely being able to hold stock power. Tune it at all, and you're constantly having issues.

 

[Doel]

I am glad there are people who like the Fusion Sport and want to buy it. For me, it is blah. Dime a dozen, so to speak. Uninspiring, that's all.

I don't eat supermarket steak. I only eat the best dry aged steak. Why? because it looks better, tastes better, and brings me more enjoyment. it never needs steak sauce. Doesn't shrink or shrivel as the blood and fat drain out while being grilled. It melts in my mouth with every savory bite, unlike the supermarket steak. Yes, the dry aged beef cost about twice as much as the supermarket steak, yet to me it is worth every penny.

Same thing when comparing the Fusion Sport to the Stinger GT: supermarket steak vs. dry aged beef. Personal preference.

what I want to know is, where are you finding dry aged beef at only twice the cost of a supermarket steak?? Around here, supermarket select grade runs from $5-$10 a lb, real dry aged is easily over $30 a lb! I dry age my own beef because it's so dang expensive to buy that way.

 

[MisterMac]

what I want to know is, where are you finding dry aged beef at only twice the cost of a supermarket steak?? Around here, supermarket select grade runs from $5-$10 a lb, real dry aged is easily over $30 a lb! I dry age my own beef because it's so dang expensive to buy that way.

Bingo. I buy it a side at a time

 

[Pachanga918]

I cross shopped the fusion sport and Lincoln MKZ which share the same platform. The fusion had a bland exterior and terrible interior. I think the better competitor would be the MKZ but I was not a fan of the interiors use of plastic and plastic buttons for gear shifting.

There’s little touches to the stinger that I just liked better. There’s auto hold, better keyfob, better lane keep technology, black chrome, sportier interior, better warranty, etc. I think what attracted me most is the overall look of it. People at work can’t believe it’s a Kia. When I get people inside for a little test drive they are blown away.

Is it worth ~$15k more? I think so. Some people think paying an extra $15k for a BMW 440i is worth it. To each their own.

 

[JJay03]

Ran into a cocky FFS owner yesterday and passed him without too much trouble. Not sure if he was stock or not because he did not follow me into the store parking lot. Would be fun to run a tuned one.

 

[JJay03]

Im also confused how the Stinger GT cost so much more when the MSRP is with in a few hundred dollars if comparing base GT to base Sport.

 

[M'Kehyah]

I was quite excited about the FS when it came out. A great sleeper again (like the European-designed Contour with V6 and manual "back in The Day").
But at the DC Autoshow/side by side... the Stinger was "wow" and the FS was "meh."

The 100K mile warranty KIA-confidence in design and hatch sealed the deal for me...
I also shopped the Buick Regal GS Sportback... but not for long... it too was "meh" (of course subjective - but it is my opinion and my muny! )

I love getting approached and complimented on the car...

I bought my GT (used) for $36K - about all I could get authorized by the Budget And Finance Committee Chairperson...

 

[Bjjpurple]

For the price the Fusion Sport is a good deal. If you are spending 27k do you want the fusion sport or a Camry? The 2.7s tuned are holding up well, even lugging around big heavy f150’s. What gets me is ford put the 2.7 in the Fusion, then stuck the 2.3 eco boom in the mustang. The 2.7 in the mustang would have been an awesome combo when tuned. Lighter then the 5.0 with more torque down low as well as close on peak hp.

 

[turboAWD]

The only problem with Fusion Sport is the transmission, more specifically the transfer case (I think they call it PTU or PDU or something like that). Apparently, even with a mild tune, they frequently leak oil and / or have issues.

 

[Ucinn]

For the price the Fusion Sport is a good deal. If you are spending 27k do you want the fusion sport or a Camry? The 2.7s tuned are holding up well, even lugging around big heavy f150’s. What gets me is ford put the 2.7 in the Fusion, then stuck the 2.3 eco boom in the mustang. The 2.7 in the mustang would have been an awesome combo when tuned. Lighter then the 5.0 with more torque down low as well as close on peak hp.

They will never have the lower end motor compete with the 5.0.. the GT is their cash cow.

 

[MisterMac]

Better check this out.

2020 Ford Mustang EcoBoost High Performance Package is your rear-drive Focus RS

 

[Ucinn]

Better check this out.

2020 Ford Mustang EcoBoost High Performance Package is your rear-drive Focus RS

It will be nowhere near the GT which has 460HP. It's barely stronger than the motor that's in it now which is 310HP turbo. You could get the 3.31's in it now, so they added 20HP and put an available 3.55 gear for it.... In Mustang land, this isn't really big news as much as the soon to be 4 door and AWD versions are.