Your feelings are correct. Motor Trend found the Fusion did slightly out-perform the Sonata in cornering abilities. From their data sheet:
600' slalom:
- Fusion = 63.7 mph avg
- Sonata = 61.2 mph avg
Lateral Acceleration:
- Fusion 0.80 g avg
- Sonata = 0.76 g avg
MT Figure Eight:
- Fusion = 28.0 sec @ 0.59 g avg
- Sonata = 28.6 sec @ 0.57 g avg
* It should be noted that the Sonata has stability control that the Fusion does not. The computer intervention can lower cornering performance in the name of safety. Also, the Sonata was a GLS and not the slightly more nimble SE.
The more powerful Sonata won at the drag strip however:
0-60 mph:
- Fusion = 7.2 sec
- Sonata = 6.8 sec
0-100 mph:
- Fusion = 19.4 sec
- Sonata = 17.5 sec
Passing 45-65:
- Fusion = 3.7 sec
- Sonata = 3.4 sec
Quarter Mile:
- Fusion = 15.5 sec @ 90.3 mph
- Sonata = 15.2 sec @ 92.5 mph
Other notes:
- the Fusion has a 6-speed auto while the Sonata only has 5
- the Fusion base price was $1K more than a Sonata and the Fusion as-tested price was 3K more than the Sonata.
Source Article
Fusion data
Sonata data
MT picked the Fusion over the Sonata but who wants to drive something that looks like this:
