As always, great comparo, ladies and gents!
The Fusion Titanium AWD 2.0T would have also been within the $ range of this test, assuming other ridiculous 'packages' were left unticked. $33,999 + $1,700 in Freight, PDI, and A/C Tax - within the cost of the pricier V6 Accord sans AWD. The 2.0T would be a much better engine and would probably return better fuel economy given the heft of the vehicle (and the autos.ca staff's breakfasts
).
Just sayin'.
Accord should also have been dinged big time for not having 60/40 rear seatback. Also just sayin'.
My pick would probably be the Accord with a roof rack (thrown in for free since Honda made a stupid omission with the back seat).
My nit picks with many of the vehicles in this category relate entirely to intended purpose vs execution - an Accord without 60/40 split, a Mazda and a Kia with tight interior dimensions, a Ford with a puny, non-American engine (yes, 1.5L escapes Chinese taxes - so don't sell it here - yeah, yeah...global platform), etc. If I wanted a mid-size (laughs inside) car over a compact, then I am clearly getting it for the size. If it doesn't offer more interior space/luggage space, then why get it over, say, a Jetta, a Corolla, or Sentra for $10-15,000 less (depending on options)?
A claustrophobic rear passenger compartment (like my perception of the Mazda) pushes me away from even considering it.