The Fusion's driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The A3 Sedan doesn't offer a driver alert monitor.

The Fusion has standard SYNC®, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to get turn-by-turn driving directions or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The A3 Sedan doesn't offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you're involved in an accident and you're incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the Fusion and the A3 Sedan have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras and available rear parking sensors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Ford Fusion is safer than the Audi A3 Sedan:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Ford Fusion is safer than the Audi A3 Sedan:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Ford's powertrain warranty covers the Fusion 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Audi covers the A3 Sedan. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the A3 Sedan ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 10 times as many Ford dealers as there are Audi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Fusion's warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Fusion first among midsize cars in their 2019 Initial Quality Study. The A3 Sedan isn't in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates' 2019 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Ford vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford fourth in initial quality, above the industry average. With 23 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 22nd, below the industry average.

The Fusion Titanium's 2.0 turbo 4 cyl. produces 17 more horsepower (245 vs. 228) and 17 lbs.-ft. more torque (275 vs. 258) than the A3 Sedan 45 TFSI's optional 2.0 turbo 4 cyl.

The Fusion FWD's standard fuel tank has 3.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the A3 Sedan 40 TFSI's standard fuel tank (16.5 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Fusion AWD's standard fuel tank has 3.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the A3 Sedan 45 TFSI Quattro's standard fuel tank (18 vs. 14.5 gallons).

The Fusion has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it's removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The A3 Sedan doesn't offer a cap-less fueling system.

The Fusion stops shorter than the A3 Sedan:

The Fusion's drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The A3 Sedan doesn't offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Fusion's wheelbase is 8.4 inches longer than on the A3 Sedan (112.2 inches vs. 103.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Fusion is 1.5 inches wider in the front and 2.3 inches wider in the rear than on the A3 Sedan.

The front grille of the Fusion uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The A3 Sedan doesn't offer active grille shutters.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Fusion a Mid-size car, while the A3 Sedan is rated a Subcompact.

The Fusion has 16.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the A3 Sedan (102.8 vs. 86).

The Fusion has 2.7 inches more front headroom, 3.1 inches more front legroom, 3 inches more front shoulder room, 1.7 inches more rear headroom, 3.2 inches more rear legroom and 3.9 inches more rear shoulder room than the A3 Sedan.

The Fusion has a much larger trunk than the A3 Sedan (16 vs. 12.3 cubic feet).

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the Fusion easier. The Fusion's trunk lift-over height is 24.4 inches, while the A3 Sedan's liftover is 26.3 inches.

The Fusion has a 1000 lbs. towing capacity. The A3 Sedan has no towing capacity.

The Fusion has a maintenance free battery for long life without checking the battery's water level. The A3 Sedan doesn't have a maintenance free battery, so the water level in the battery's cells must be checked often to prevent damage.

The Fusion SEL/Titanium has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The A3 Sedan doesn't offer a remote starting system.

When two different drivers share the Fusion SEL/Titanium, the memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver's seat position and outside mirror angle. The A3 Sedan doesn't offer a memory system.

The Fusion SEL/Titanium's standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver's seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The A3 Sedan doesn't offer an easy entry system.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don't have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Fusion SE/SEL/Titanium's exterior PIN entry system. The A3 Sedan doesn't offer an exterior PIN entry system.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don't have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Fusion SE/SEL/Titanium's exterior PIN entry system. The A3 Sedan doesn't offer an exterior PIN entry system.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Fusion Titanium keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in summer. The A3 Sedan doesn't offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the Fusion Titanium's standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The A3 Sedan doesn't offer a heated steering wheel.

The Fusion (except S) offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The A3 Sedan doesn't offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Insurance will cost less for the Fusion owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Fusion will cost $750 less than the A3 Sedan over a five-year period.

The Fusion will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Fusion will retain 39.28% to 42.37% of its original price after five years, while the A3 Sedan only retains 36.82% to 38.8%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Fusion is less expensive to operate than the A3 Sedan because it costs $700 less to do the manufacturer's suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Fusion than the A3 Sedan, including $383 less for a water pump, $35 less for a muffler, $313 less for a starter, $57 less for fuel injection, $109 less for a fuel pump, $355 less for front struts and $134 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Ford Fusion will be $8103 to $9435 less than for the Audi A3 Sedan.

The Ford Fusion outsold the Audi A3/S3/RS 3 by over 18 to one during the 2019 model year.