Car of the year, MT vs AM

[KIAman]

So Motortrend names the Ford Fusion as car of the year while Automobile names the Volkswagon GTI as car of the year.

I have both magazines and reading through the various candidates, the criteria and reasons.
My opinions below.

Fusion - Thumbs up from me. It is a refined sedan with a good spread of power train options from I4 to V6 to Hybrid. The best thing is the competitive price and good reliability.

GTI - So so from me. It is a refined car with good interior, a great engine and chassis and competitive price but it doesn't have a range of power train options, the reliability is so so and doesn't really innovate much from the first refresh from 07.

So, who is more right? Motortrend or Automobile?

Edit: To fix my Engrish

 

[CurseTheSky]

Having an '08 V6 SE, I can say that the Fusion is a great car. It's really not the best at anything, but it's cheaper than the competition (used), and looks great IMO. Brand new it's a more difficult choice against the Altima, Accord, Mazda6, etc.

I really wish Ford would release a $35k Sport version (no, not the 2010 Fusion Sport that already exists) with ~300-320 HP, AWD, bigger brakes, stiffer suspension, and some new styling details. I doubt they ever will, since it'll compete with the Taurus SHO and somewhat with the Mustang.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

I had a subscription to Motortrend once. It sucked.
My cousin 12 years later got a subscription to Motortrend. He agreed.

 

[LTC8K6]

Having an '08 V6 SE, I can say that the Fusion is a great car. It's really not the best at anything, but it's cheaper than the competition (used), and looks great IMO. Brand new it's a more difficult choice against the Altima, Accord, Mazda6, etc.

I really wish Ford would release a $35k Sport version (no, not the 2010 Fusion Sport that already exists) with ~300-320 HP, AWD, bigger brakes, stiffer suspension, and some new styling details. I doubt they ever will, since it'll compete with the Taurus SHO and somewhat with the Mustang.

The 3.7L 305HP Duratec going in the Mustang should fit in the Fusion Sport...

 

[DivideBYZero]

I dunno, the Golf has tons of powertrain options here. I don't think that is an accusation that can be leveled at it.

 

[JDub02]

I dunno, the Golf has tons of powertrain options here. I don't think that is an accusation that can be leveled at it.

The GTI only has 1 engine option (2.0T), afaik. The Golf has either the 2.5 or TDI. VW considers the GTI and Golf as separate models.

 

[ayabe]

This new GTI is mechanically identical to it's predecessor isn't it? If so, that's a fail as is the ever increasing MSRP.

 

[exar333]

I had a subscription to Motortrend once. It sucked.
My cousin 12 years later got a subscription to Motortrend. He agreed.

Thanks for the insightful comment.

Back on topic - both cars are very good, but different. Any vehicle chosen as "car of the year" isn't going to satisfy everyone. Personally. the Fusion is more attractive to me because it is new, and the GTI is more of the same.

 

[jpeyton]

I'd pick up a Mazda6, Accord or '11 Sonata before the Fusion.

 

[PricklyPete]

I recently drove both of these cars...and to be honest I think they appeal to two different crowds. While the Fusion probably has the best handling in its segment of cars, it feels very much like a family sedan...a great family sedan...but nothing more.

In my opinion, a top spec GTI is even nicer inside than the Fusion and is WAY more sporty. The Fusion is fun to drive, the GTI is VERY fun to drive.

The changes to the MK6 GTI and the MKV GTI are as extensive as the changes between the '08 Fusion and the '09 Fusion. Both were evolutionary...but in a very, very good way. I'm actually a big fan of making incremental improvements to a car rather than rushing out complete redesigns. This usually results in a much more refined/polished car...which I feel both of these cars are good examples of. Look at Porsche, they have taken this approach and their cars are phenomenal and very, very polished.

 

[Zap]

Any vehicle chosen as "car of the year" isn't going to satisfy everyone.

What about a "top ten" instead of "top one?"

http://www.caranddriver.com/features/09q4/2010_10best_cars-10best_cars

The Fusion and GTI both made the top 10 list.

 

[ecom]

The 3.7L 305HP Duratec going in the Mustang should fit in the Fusion Sport...

If they do that, is there any transmission that would mate up to it since Fusion is FWD?

 

[Demon-Xanth]

If they do that, is there any transmission that would mate up to it since Fusion is FWD?

The one from the SHO maybe?

 

[zerocool84]

GTI's are overpriced as hell. They get demolish by their competition. If they were priced cheaper then I'd understand but they are not. Ok so it has a good interior but just because something is nice on the inside doesn't make it a good car. GTI's have never been good buys and never will be if they just stick to the nice inside slow everything else.

 

[KIAman]

The one from the SHO maybe?

I think he meant in terms of engine packaging. The Mustang V6 is a longitudinal mounted engine VS the Fusion having a transversely mounted engine. AFAIK, the SHO is also transversely mounted.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

I think he meant in terms of engine packaging. The Mustang V6 is a longitudinal mounted engine VS the Fusion having a transversely mounted engine. AFAIK, the SHO is also transversely mounted.

I don't know about the bolt patterns and such, but I way saying that the SHO transmission should be able to handle the power output from the Mustang's V6 without requiring a broom and kitty litter.

 

[thegimp03]

I rented a Fusion back in May and drove it about 500 miles over two days. It only had the I-4 engine in it but I got it up to 108 mph out in the middle of nowhere and checked it with my GPS. I think it had a bit more juice in it as I wasn't flooring it but I didn't want to check and see...plus the gf in the passenger seat was starting to get nervous. Overall, I liked the car and wasn't too uncomfortable for being a rental.

 

[Arkaign]

I recently drove both of these cars...and to be honest I think they appeal to two different crowds. While the Fusion probably has the best handling in its segment of cars, it feels very much like a family sedan...a great family sedan...but nothing more.

In my opinion, a top spec GTI is even nicer inside than the Fusion and is WAY more sporty. The Fusion is fun to drive, the GTI is VERY fun to drive.

The changes to the MK6 GTI and the MKV GTI are as extensive as the changes between the '08 Fusion and the '09 Fusion. Both were evolutionary...but in a very, very good way. I'm actually a big fan of making incremental improvements to a car rather than rushing out complete redesigns. This usually results in a much more refined/polished car...which I feel both of these cars are good examples of. Look at Porsche, they have taken this approach and their cars are phenomenal and very, very polished.

I think you mean '09 to '10 Fusion.

I think the GTI is cool, but I'm not a big fan of boosted FF cars for the money. Usually not much more (if any) will get you a more competent and mod-worthy FA or FR setup. Come 2011 model year (less than a year from now) the 305hp 3.7L FR Mustang V6 will be available for about the same price. I don't think I have *EVER* thought a V6 Mustang was cool, but damn if this new one doesn't sound like a killer deal.

 

[PricklyPete]

GTI's are overpriced as hell. They get demolish by their competition. If they were priced cheaper then I'd understand but they are not. Ok so it has a good interior but just because something is nice on the inside doesn't make it a good car. GTI's have never been good buys and never will be if they just stick to the nice inside slow everything else.

I don't think the interior alone makes the GTI a good car...it has very good dynamics. It's practical and has a great interior. While it may be slightly overpriced in view of the competition, I don't think horsepower alone should determine the worth of a car...same reason I love the Mazda MX-5. Obviously we all have our own criteria on what makes a great car...so I know plenty of people do not agree with my setiment.

 

[PricklyPete]

I think you mean '09 to '10 Fusion.

I think the GTI is cool, but I'm not a big fan of boosted FF cars for the money. Usually not much more (if any) will get you a more competent and mod-worthy FA or FR setup. Come 2011 model year (less than a year from now) the 305hp 3.7L FR Mustang V6 will be available for about the same price. I don't think I have *EVER* thought a V6 Mustang was cool, but damn if this new one doesn't sound like a killer deal.

you are correct, my mistake about the Fusion.

What do you mean by FF, FA, and FR...FWD, AWD, and RWD? Sorry for my ignorance.

I totally agree with you on the V6 mustang...that is going to be a fantastic car...and if they ever get a EcoBoost mustang...that will be a fantastic, simple mod-worthy setup.

 

[Arkaign]

you are correct, my mistake about the Fusion.

What do you mean by FF, FA, and FR...FWD, AWD, and RWD? Sorry for my ignorance.

I totally agree with you on the V6 mustang...that is going to be a fantastic car...and if they ever get a EcoBoost mustang...that will be a fantastic, simple mod-worthy setup.

FF = Front Engine, Front Drive
FA = Front Engine, All wheel drive
FR = Front Engine, Rear Drive

The reasons I don't like FF for more than daily-driving moderate power setups is that there isn't a true solution to understeer on curves when too much power is applied. I like the flexibility that oversteer correction gives you on a well-balanced FR setup. In addition, once you get to around the 250hp-300hp range on a FF layout, you typically have to put oversized slicks up front to really get a good 60-ft time, and that throws off the handling of the car bigtime. When you're dealing with FR or FA, you can have decent DD cars in the 500-600hp range easily, and they can be capable both in straight-line performance as well as in the twisties

<--- drives a FF car, but has to be honest about the limitations.

FF really is better for non-enthusiasts though. Less drivetrain losses, no fishtailing in low traction, cheap to produce, and the lack of a driveshaft or rear diff = more interior/trunk space.

 

[PricklyPete]

FF = Front Engine, Front Drive
FA = Front Engine, All wheel drive
FR = Front Engine, Rear Drive

The reasons I don't like FF for more than daily-driving moderate power setups is that there isn't a true solution to understeer on curves when too much power is applied. I like the flexibility that oversteer correction gives you on a well-balanced FR setup. In addition, once you get to around the 250hp-300hp range on a FF layout, you typically have to put oversized slicks up front to really get a good 60-ft time, and that throws off the handling of the car bigtime. When you're dealing with FR or FA, you can have decent DD cars in the 500-600hp range easily, and they can be capable both in straight-line performance as well as in the twisties

<--- drives a FF car, but has to be honest about the limitations.

FF really is better for non-enthusiasts though. Less drivetrain losses, no fishtailing in low traction, cheap to produce, and the lack of a driveshaft or rear diff = more interior/trunk space.

Thanks on the definitions...and I totally agree with too much power to FWD cars is a mess. I know they have said that the 300HP Ford RS has torque steer "solved", but I have driven a buddies last-generation Mazdaspeed3 and it is definitely noticeable (although still a fun car). The GTI has it much more undercontrol...and of course has much less horsepower to deal with...so that obviously helps.

 

[ecom]

I think he meant in terms of engine packaging. The Mustang V6 is a longitudinal mounted engine VS the Fusion having a transversely mounted engine. AFAIK, the SHO is also transversely mounted.

Yes, I meant in terms of engine packaging because of the way that the engines are mounted.

It appears that the Taurus SHO has tranversely mounted engine but it's also AWD meaning that to share components, it may be necessary to have AWD on such a Fusion.

The Taurus is a larger vehicle overall though so who knows if it fits. But if they put that 3.5L twin turbo in the Fusion it could cannibalize Taurus sales which could be a bad thing. While Ford may be doing better than GM and Chrysler at this point, I don't think they're in a such a position where they can afford that right now. Either that or the 3.5L twn turbo will command a large premium over the naturally aspirated 3.5L V6 already available on the Fusion. Even then, it may be a small market segment that will look at it so it may be more expensive to produce due to economies of scale.

 

[KIAman]

Thanks on the definitions...and I totally agree with too much power to FWD cars is a mess. I know they have said that the 300HP Ford RS has torque steer "solved", but I have driven a buddies last-generation Mazdaspeed3 and it is definitely noticeable (although still a fun car). The GTI has it much more undercontrol...and of course has much less horsepower to deal with...so that obviously helps.

Although I've never driven one myself, the ATTS system (Active Torque Transfer System) installed on 1997 Honda Prelude has supposedly removed torque steer.

I wonder why this technology hasn't caught on?

Back to the OP, the GTI is a nice car, but the Fusion seems like it deserves car of the year award.

 

[Arkaign]

Thanks on the definitions...and I totally agree with too much power to FWD cars is a mess. I know they have said that the 300HP Ford RS has torque steer "solved", but I have driven a buddies last-generation Mazdaspeed3 and it is definitely noticeable (although still a fun car). The GTI has it much more undercontrol...and of course has much less horsepower to deal with...so that obviously helps.

Yeah they said the torque steer was solved, but FWD understeer is just a matter of physics. If the front wheels are tasked with both the propulsion of the vehicle as well as steering it, you'll have to make sacrifices at the limit, which engender themselves with the vehicle just aiming straight for the outside of the curve if you give it too much juice. Oversteer has it's own set of issues, but overall it's the obvious choice for enthusiasts. There's a good reason there has never been a serious FWD vehicle in either conventional sports cars (Ferrari, Porsche, Vettes, Stangs, Lotus, Lambo, etc, etc) or in pro racing. Rally variants of FWD cars are basically all AWD, such as the aforementioned Focus, although some entry-level basic cars have been FWD.

The Speed3 is on the C1 Focus platform, which makes me more than a little skeptical that the Focus RS can really deliver the power to the ground in a manner equal to a good FR car such as an Elise/Exige.

The GTI being roughly 200hp isn't so bad though.