Kia Optima/Mazda 6/Ford Fusion

steph

New member
We are just starting a car search to replace Dh's ford pickup that has over 200k on it. Because of his commute and wanting to save on gas, we are looking into a sedan vs another truck.

Most likely we will buy used but the Kia Optima, Ford Fusion and Mazda 6 are at the top of the list.

Any insight? The Kia Optima has excellent safety ratings and is probably his favorite aesthetically but neither of us have experience with Kia.

TIA!
 
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kaharris83

New member
My DH bought his 2013 Kia Optima brand new. He really loves it and I find it fun to drive as well. It is our first Kia and we're considering the new Sedona based on how happy we've been with it. We've had it about 2 years now.
 

SafeDad

CPSDarren - Admin
Staff member
All good choices and I think you get a decent warranty transfer on the Kia if it's only a few years old. Fusions should be pretty good deals used as well, lots of rental and fleet ones on the market help.
 

steph

New member
All good choices and I think you get a decent warranty transfer on the Kia if it's only a few years old. Fusions should be pretty good deals used as well, lots of rental and fleet ones on the market help.

What about safety of the fusion and Mazda 6? The Optima has excellent ratings. I get confused looking at informedforlife.org because of incomplete info in some categories.
 

SafeDad

CPSDarren - Admin
Staff member
I would be happy with any of them based on crashworthiness. All are top safety picks by the IIHS and 5-star overall rated by NHTSA.

All have an "Acceptable" rating in the IIHS small overlap test, which is still very respectable. For the Optima, you can go as far back as 2011. For the Fusion, 2013. For the Mazda6, 2014 (2009 for IIHS results). Older models may vary or be untested or not comparable.

In NHTSA testing, Optima had a 3-star rating in the side impact driver side test. Fusion's only "blemish" is a 4-star rating in the front impact passenger side test. Mazda6 also had a 4-star front impact passenger side test result.

Really, three solid cars overall. Perhaps the 2011 Optima and 2013 Fusion will be least expensive on the used market compared to a 2014 Mazda6? 2013 and 2012 Mazda6 models had questionable NHTSA crash test results and before that not enough data.
 

DawgDad

New member
Yep...Darren is right...exactly what I would have said. You will have a better time finding more used in that order...Kia, then Ford, then the Mazda on the current generation model platforms (which is the ones you probably like the most anyway).
 

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