This was a tough call, but the latest Fusion has the edge over the competition. Families who want enough space to accommodate all members will appreciate the Fusion's cabin. Drivers will find it easy to get into the perfect position behind the wheel. Sightlines from the front and sides offer excellent visibility. In back, families can fill an impressive 16 cubic feet of cargo space - a generous amount, even in this competitive segment.

The Altima's cabin is simple, but classy. New NASA-inspired Zero Gravity front seats are supportive and comfortable. The backseat is adequate for adult passengers. The Altima offers slightly less cargo space, with 15.4 cubic feet available.

During government crash tests, both vehicles earned perfect five-star scores for overall crash protection. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave both cars its top score of "Good" in various crash tests. However, the Fusion takes this category with its impressive array of standard safety equipment. The Fusion's Sync technology provides emergency crash notification. Should an accident occur, it uses the driver's cell phone to dial 9-1-1. The Fusion also comes with Ford's MyKey technology, which allows drivers to set speed and stereo volume parameters for teenage drivers.

Like the Fusion, the Altima comes with all the standard safety items that drivers have come to expect, including antilock brakes and stability and traction control. Drivers can add a layer of safety with high-tech options like blind-spot monitoring.

Both the Fusion and the Altima derive impressive numbers from their respective gas tanks. The Altima, however, performs slightly better. Altima 2.5 models are equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that gets 31 mpg combined, or 27 city/38 highway mpg. Altima 3.5 models achieve 26 mpg combined, or 22/32 mpg.

The Fusion isn't far behind, however. Its standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder achieves 26 mpg combined, or 22 city/34 highway mpg. The Fusion SE's optional 1.6-liter four-cylinder gets the line's best ratings: 25/37 mpg. The SE's optional 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder matches those numbers, but only when equipped with start-stop functionality. Without this technology, this 1.5-liter engine achieves 23/36 mpg. With the Fusion's most powerful engine - a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder - in play, front-wheel-drive models achieve 22/33 mpg. All-wheel-drive models with the same engine get 22/31 mpg.

Even the base S model gives drivers an adequate dose of technology. Its voice-activated Sync audio and cell phone interface allows drivers to stay safely connected, even while driving. A standard rearview camera allows drivers to safely reverse this sedan.

The Altima's base model doesn't quite compare to that of the Fusion. It does, however, offer Bluetooth technology and a 4.3-inch LCD display on the dash. The Altima's rearview camera is optional for its 2.5 S model and standard on its 3.5 S, SV, and SL models.