The Fusion Titanium offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Sonata doesn't offer all-wheel drive.

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

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, and with its optional front crash prevention system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Fusion the rating of “Top Pick” for 2017, a rating granted to only 169 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Sonata has not been tested, yet.

There are almost 4 times as many Ford dealers as there are Hyundai 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 Sonata isn't in the top three in its category.

The Fusion has more powerful engines than the Sonata:

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Fusion ECOBoost FWD's engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. (Start/Stop isn't accounted in present EPA fuel mileage tests.) The Sonata doesn't offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

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 Sonata doesn't offer a cap-less fueling system.

For better traction, the Fusion has larger standard tires than the Sonata (215/60R16 vs. 205/65R16).

The Fusion S' standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Sonata SE's standard 65 series tires. The Fusion Titanium's tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Sonata SEL Plus/Limited's 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Fusion Titanium has standard 19-inch wheels. The Sonata's largest wheels are only 18-inches.

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 Sonata doesn't offer drift compensation steering.

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 Sonata doesn't offer active grille shutters.

The Fusion has .4 inches more front hip room, 3.5 inches more rear legroom and .8 inches more rear shoulder room than the Sonata.

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the Fusion's trunk lid uses concealed beam hinges that don't intrude into the trunk. The Sonata's useful trunk space is reduced by its intrusive beam hinge.

The Fusion's front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Sonata's standard passenger windows don't open or close automatically. With the Sonata SEL/SEL Plus/Limited's power windows, only the front windows open or close automatically.

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 Sonata doesn't offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its Blue Link can't unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn't have cell phone reception or the driver can't contact the service.

The Fusion's rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Sonata's manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Fusion SEL/Titanium has standard automatic dimming rear and side view mirrors which automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Sonata offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don't dim.

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 Sonata 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 Sonata doesn't offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Ford Fusion outsold the Hyundai Sonata by almost two to one during the 2019 model year.