Chevrolet Impala vs Ford Fusion

The 2015 Chevrolet Impala, a full-size sedan, once stood as a testament to the era of big American cars. Despite the rise of crossover SUVs, the Impala offered a comfortable ride with a spacious trunk, positioned between midsize models and entry-luxury sedans. However, its oversized nature raised questions about its relevance in a market shifting towards more compact vehicles. The Impala came standard with a 4-cylinder engine, but for those seeking more power, the 2LT or 2LTZ trims offered a satisfying V6. The Impala's exterior design was rakish and expressive, especially when equipped with larger wheels, but its interior fell short of expectations with a busy appearance and subpar material quality.

In contrast, the 2015 Ford Fusion aimed to challenge the dominance of the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry in the midsize sedan market. With its stylish design, quality construction, and advanced technology, the Fusion consistently ranked among the top-selling vehicles in America. The Fusion Titanium, with its turbocharged 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine, offered robust acceleration and a sleek, Aston Martin-inspired design. While the rear design was less dramatic, the Fusion maintained clean and balanced proportions. Despite its visual appeal, the Fusion's infotainment system and touch-panel controls were criticized for being distracting and less intuitive than traditional knobs and buttons.

The 2015 Chevrolet Impala featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 305 hp and 264 lb-ft of torque, surpassing the horsepower of the last V8-powered Impala SS. It accelerated to 60 mph in 6.8 seconds, making it quick for a full-size car. The Impala's 6-speed automatic transmission provided smooth shifts, though the manual shift feature was less satisfying. Fuel economy ranged from 18 mpg in the city to 29 mpg on the highway, with a combined average of 21.7 mpg. The Impala excelled on highways, offering a comfortable ride despite road noise and poor rear visibility. Its nimble handling and predictable steering made it enjoyable to drive, even on twisty roads.

The 2015 Ford Fusion Titanium, powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter EcoBoost 4-cylinder engine, delivered 240 hp and impressive acceleration. However, its fuel economy was disappointing, averaging 20.5 mpg compared to the EPA's estimate of 25 mpg. The Fusion's 6-speed automatic transmission and optional all-wheel-drive system enhanced traction and handling. While not a sport sedan, the Fusion offered a nimble and athletic driving experience, with precise steering and minimal body roll. The Fusion's driving dynamics made it a joy to drive, though its fuel efficiency left room for improvement.

The 2015 Chevrolet Impala offered a spacious interior, accommodating four passengers comfortably. However, fitting a fifth passenger between two child seats proved uncomfortable. The front seats were nearly perfect, lacking only seat ventilation, while rear legroom was generous. The dashboard featured a simplistic layout with traditional knobs and buttons, but the quality of controls and materials was lacking, with creaking plastic and poorly fitted panels. The Impala's trunk, measuring 18.8 cubic feet, provided ample cargo space, surpassing that of midsize sedans.

The 2015 Ford Fusion boasted a well-designed interior with quality materials and a minimalist dashboard. The Fusion's seats offered comfort and support, with the front passenger seat adjustable in SE and Titanium trims. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed generous legroom, though headroom was limited. The Fusion's trunk, at 16 cubic feet, was spacious for its class, though it lacked a center pass-thru for longer items. The Fusion's interior design and comfort made it a strong contender in the midsize sedan market.

The 2015 Chevrolet Impala featured OnStar 4G LTE Wi-Fi, making it a suitable mobile office. The MyLink infotainment system supported various services, including Pandora and Text Messaging Alerts. Pairing devices and streaming music was seamless, with three USB ports available for connectivity. However, the climate-control system's reduced output during Bluetooth calls could make the cabin uncomfortable in hot weather.

The 2015 Ford Fusion's MyFord Touch infotainment system was criticized for its complexity and lack of intuitive controls. The touch-panel controls for audio and climate systems required drivers to look away from the road, leading to distractions. Ford planned to reintroduce traditional buttons and knobs in 2016 models. The Fusion's automated parallel-parking system was useful for some, but its slow operation could frustrate other drivers. Despite improvements, the MyFord Touch system remained challenging to use.

The 2015 Chevrolet Impala offered Automatic Crash Response through OnStar, requiring a subscription after the trial period. Equipped with 10 airbags, the Impala received a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Good rating from the IIHS in certain tests. The Impala's safety technologies earned a Superior rating for front crash prevention, though some features required additional costs.

The 2015 Ford Fusion included unique safety features like inflatable rear seat belts, though their practicality was debatable. The Fusion offered a reversing camera, blind-spot information system, and forward collision-warning system. It received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though driver protection in side-impact collisions was rated at 3 stars.