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 A4 doesn't offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Fusion and the A4 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, 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 A4:

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 A4:

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 A4. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the A4 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 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.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Fusion has a standard 500-amp battery. The A4's 420-amp battery isn't as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Fusion first among midsize cars in their 2019 Initial Quality Study. The A4 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.

As tested in Motor Trend the Fusion Titanium 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the A4 40 TFSI:

The Fusion FWD's standard fuel tank has 1.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the A4 (16.5 vs. 15.3 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Fusion AWD's standard fuel tank has 2.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the A4 (18 vs. 15.3 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 A4 doesn't offer a cap-less fueling system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Ford Fusion higher (5 to 7 out of 10) than the Audi A4 (3 to 5). This means the Fusion produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the A4 every 15,000 miles.

The Fusion stops much shorter than the A4:

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 A4 doesn't offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Fusion's wheelbase is 2.2 inches longer than on the A4 (112.2 inches vs. 110 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Fusion is .8 inches wider in the front and 1.2 inches wider in the rear than on the A4.

For better maneuverability, the Fusion's turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the A4's (37.5 feet vs. 38.1 feet).

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 A4 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 A4 is rated a Compact.

The Fusion has 10.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the A4 (102.8 vs. 92).

The Fusion has .3 inches more front headroom, 3 inches more front legroom, 1.9 inches more front shoulder room, .4 inches more rear headroom, 2.6 inches more rear legroom and 2.4 inches more rear shoulder room than the A4.

The Fusion has a much larger trunk than the A4 (16 vs. 13 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 A4's liftover is 26.9 inches.

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 A4 doesn't offer a remote starting 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 A4 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 A4 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 A4 doesn't offer an exterior PIN entry system.

Consumer Reports rated the Fusion's headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the A4's headlights, which were rated “Poor.”

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 A4 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 $1500 less than the A4 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 A4 only retains 37.24% to 38.04%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Fusion is less expensive to operate than the A4 because it costs $291 less to do the manufacturer's suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Fusion than the A4, including $542 less for a water pump, $104 less for a muffler, $586 less for a starter, $50 less for fuel injection, $343 less for a fuel pump, $708 less for front struts and $86 less for a timing belt/chain.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Ford Fusion will be $13824 to $15756 less than for the Audi A4.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Ford Fusion and the Audi A4, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Ford Fusion outsold the Audi A4/S4 by over six to one during 2019.