2018 Ford Fusion Sport vs 2018 Nissan Maxima SR

Here’s a common scenario: in your mind, you’re in the market for a sleek, sexy sports car - one that you can whip around tight corners, zooming past the other boring old sedans and SUVs on the freeway and pull right up the the valet at your favorite restaurant, feeling and looking like a million bucks.

The only issues with this scenario? One: you don’t have the funds for the super sleek and sexy sports car. Two: your spouse reminds you that you actually have children that need to be dropped off to school and baseball practice and they won’t exactly fit into your two-seater, scene-stealing sporty little number.

What’s a dreamer to do? Well, the best option - and one that really won’t make you feel like you’ve compromised at all - is to buy the sport version of a sedan. You’ll still get the high-octane rush of powerful engines and the agile handling of a finely-tuned suspension, but you won’t break the bank or bust up your marriage.

If you have the need for speed but can’t fully scratch that itch, check out the 2018 Ford Fusion Sport or the 2017 Nissan Maxima SR, two cars that may just surprise the racer in you.

You’ll Pay the Price (at the Pump) for Peak Performance

Let’s start with the basics: if you choose to purchase the 2018 Ford Fusion Sport, you’ll be powered by a 2.7-liter twin turbocharged V6 engine coupled with all-wheel drive - and be flying with 325 horses. Opt for the 2017 Nissan Maxima SR and you’re going to be cruising with a 3.5-liter V6 engine that gets 300 horses galloping. If you’re after speed, the 2018 Ford Fusion Sport will not disappoint… and it might even leave the 2017 Nissan Maxima SR wondering what just blew by it.

Of course, what you gain in speed, you’ll sacrifice in fuel. Although the standard Ford Fusion (with its 2.5-liter four cylinder engine) gets 21 miles to the gallon in the city and 32 mpg on the highway, the Sport’s V6 engine takes those numbers down slightly to 17 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. You’ll get better fuel economy if you opt for the 2017 Nissan Maxima SR as it gets 21 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway… but you won’t see much in the way of savings considering you’ll be pumping premium into the tank.

When it comes to fuel economy, the 2018 Ford Fusion Sport may be slightly less efficient, but - all things are considered - equal when weighed against the cost of the premium pump.

Sporty Features, Luxury Amenities

Sure, you want a car that will get you from A to B - and you want that car to get you a few longing looks as you hit the gas. But when it comes to cars, we all know that the old adage, “it’s what’s on the inside that counts” rings true.

Luckily, you don’t have to worry that the 2018 Ford Fusion Sport or the 2017 Nissan Maxima SR are  just stylish on the surface, although thanks to the sportier trim package on each model, both cars offer an array of fantastic features that rival any true sports car. For instance, the 2018 Ford Fusion Sport comes equipped with 19-inch wheels, a rear spoiler, adjustable suspension dampers, a unique grille and quad exhaust tips. The 2017 Nissan Maxima SR holds it own by offering a sport-tuned suspension, paddle shifters and LED projector headlights.

But what about comfort and luxury? Again, the 2018 Ford Fusion Sport and the 2017 Nissan Maxima SR are dressed to impress. Your spouse may actually forget that you followed instructions and skipped the sports car once they relax into the leather and faux-suede upholstery of the 2018 Ford Fusion Sport… and if the upgraded upholstery isn’t enough to wow them, just show them the rest of the amenities, like the heated seats, the nine-speaker sound system, the proximity key, the remote start and the SYNC 3 infotainment system. Of course, the 2018 Ford Fusion Sport is also equipped with dual-zone automatic climate control, HD radio, rear parking sensors and a leather-wrapped steering wheel to add just a little something extra to the model.

The 2017 Nissan Maxima SR is no slouch when it comes to creature comforts - it's also got touches of leather included on the seats and on the heated steering wheel, adaptive cruise control and an eleven-speaker Bose sound system. A popular addition to the the 2017 Nissan Maxima SR is the Midnight package option, which will round out your SR with a black spoiler, black rear bumper cover and black 19-inch aluminium-alloy wheels. The Midnight package can be yours for an additional $1,195. Not to be outdone, the 2018 Ford Fusion Sport is also available with a variety of additional packages, including a Luxury package, an Appearance package and a Driver Assist package.

The only thing holding you back from making the 2018 Ford Fusion Sport the ultimate car of your dreams is simply the amount you’re willing to spend.

Shop Savvy & Spend Sensibly on the Sleek & Sexy Sport

Of course, in the end, it all comes down to price and while the 2018 Ford Fusion Sport and the 2017 Nissan Maxima SR have remained fairly well-matched up to this point, sadly the 2017 Nissan Maxima SR simply cannot compete with the 2018 Ford Fusion Sport when it comes to price.

If you decide that the 2017 Nissan Maxima SR is the car for you, then you’re going to have to shell out $37,820…and that’s before you factor in the premium fuel and any additional packages you may want to add to the model.

However, if you’re willing to spend that amount of money, you could simply buy the 2018 Ford Fusion Sport for just $33,750 and still have plenty of cash left over to add in extra package options… and you’ll still be flush enough to take your spouse out to a fancy dinner and tip the valet - just like a famous sports car driver.