Chevy Cruze, Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra, Mazda 3, VW Jetta - Comparison Test - CAR and DRIVER

[@carvellaustiniii3379]

Chevy Cruze LT RS all the way!!!

[@chevyhighrider]

Cruze is by far the sexiest looking inside and out. I'll agree the seats arent very comfortable for longer rides but not sure I agree its handling is numb. Also how does it not handle as well as the others yet you say it outperforms by a large margine in the lane change?

[@larsbar8472]

I know its a new model from Chevy compared to the Cobalt i had. but i got burned by that car. it was terrible. im never buying a chevy again.

[@TheWikimapia]

This is the best review that I have seen. Other reviews are soo much biased with the car companies that feed them with free groceries or wtv. I agree to all the comments made on the 5 cars. GREAT JOB CAR AND DRIVER!

[@MrCoaster112]

The Focus drives so well and I love the hatchback! I cant wait to get mine soon.

[@QuickBurn70]

Wow. When was the last time a Ford won an econo-box comparo? I have no other option but to be impressed.

[@chuckers40]

Thank you, I've been hearing that the automatic trans on the Ford Focus is slow.

[@redneon06]

The Elantra Coupe GS is what Im buying right now. Its got a powerful ingine thats great on gas. The interior is thought out and classy. The value, warranty, and style.

[@brandonfriesen5389]

For 2014 the Jetta has a 1.8t, independent rear suspension, new upgraded premium interior and Fender audio. Definitely in the top 3 compact sedans next to the Focus and 3

[@BorisAngelovTravelDoctorOnline]

I have both VW Jetta and Chevy Cruze and I can tell you that Jetta is much better car and much more comfortable on the road, although the cruze is also not bad.

[@dendroxden440]

I test drove an Elantra yesterday and a Civic the day prior. The Elantra won hands down with better comfort, feel, smoothness while driving, and looks. It's also more fuel efficient. The Civic honestly felt... really cheap and clunky, but that's just my opinion. Haven't tried and of the other competitors though.

[@hk19800]

I personally like the Hyundai Elantra the best. 3rd place is a nice place to be in such competitive segment. Good job Hyundai! Keep up the good work!

[@jennabriel4602]

Chevy Cruze is my car. :) and proud. i just love how fun it is to drive it! :)))) hands down! :) and it's sporty looking.

[@Kinseydsp]

I Love My 2012 Cruze LTZ RS It is awesome ever since I bought it.

[@MrD50boy]

I finally test drove a new Focus. Loaded to the gills at $30K. Very nice car BUT to me, the rear seats had very little leg room and the B pillar was way too wide. I literally had to move forward to look around it. Handling package gave it sweet 18's but added a full size spare-which killed the cargo area. It could use a touch more grunt too. Those are just my gripes though.

[@youngb1ood]

probably one of the best comparison tests for the compact class. whats missing is the toyota corolla, honda civic, nissan sentra as well as a little more details on the interior feel.

[@kevin122759]

I have been looking for a new car and have checked all these out except the Mazda. Closest Mazda dealership in 300 miles away. I also checked out the Chrysler 200 which I thought was a much better car. I turned my nose up at it since I do not like Chrysler products, but after driving it, I was impressed. It also has the optional 3.6 V6 motor and gets the same fuel mileage as these cars tested.

[@SK_Zen]

You can use SYNC in the Focus for the Majority of functions, even if you do have MyFord Touch. It's really easy.

[@nicobellic2465]

2020 but I still want to see how VW does to others.

[@sb632]

motorcrosser and donwat: i have a 2012 elantra as well but i'm not seeing what you two are. i average 33mpg combined per tank of gas and have been extremely pleased with the car. i agree i havent seen 40mpg and i put 2200 miles a month on it. best highway mpg i've seen on a road trip was 36mpg. the car was for my wife and daughter, and thus far has passed the test.

[@ebparsa]

I don't think you understood what I said. Mazda3 SkyActiv is not a hybrid but its fuel economy is so good that Mazda claims that you get better gas mileage from the SkyActiv than the hybrid versions of its competitors. In other words, none of the non-hybrid versions of the competitors comes even close. Also, this model of Mazda 3 SkyActiv is not even a full SkyActiv.

[@Astralwurksdk]

I test drove all of these cars and went with a hatchback MANUAL transmission Focus with the sports package which gives you 4 disc brakes, 16 inch wheels, leather wrapped steering wheel, INCREDIBLE 2 tone cloth seats that look more like they belong in a BMW and a sportier suspension setup. The 160HP has great power, makes the best noise and the clutch and manual transmission are some of the smoothest I've driven. The Focus just KILLS the rest in almost every way especially handling and quality

[@mrbigballs40]

i have the ford focus se hatchback manual. The great thing about it is that its smooth in the road, you can barely tell how fast your going when im in 60 mph in the freeway it feels like im going 30-40mph. the seats are comfy and are great in long travels. the only thing i have a problem with this car is the radio system i have no idea how to use it very well and i kind of hate the automatic for this car when i drove automatic it felt so boring, so get stick shift instead tells you when to shift

[@gonedeep43]

No surprise here. The Focus and Mazda 1 and 2. Most fun for the buck. I own 3 Focus. 2000 with 290k, still runs awesome, 2006 ST, with 100k still awesome and a 2015 ST, which is a pure rocketship. Focus for the win!!

[@RofIStomper]

Whatever... guy. The EPA severely underestimated what the ECO version of the Cruze can do. All I had to do was regap my spark plugs from .025 to .035 and inflate my tires from 36psi to 45psi. I am getting over 52 MPG highway consistently now that my engine has been broken in after my first oil change. My commute to work is 30 miles round trip 5 days a week. I haven't been to the gas station since April 6th. At the time of this post, it is April 18th. This is my experience with my Eco Cruze M/T.

[@Tracepk1191]

I sell for a Chevrolet dealership, every report and bit of first hand experience we've had from customers claims mileage above and beyond epa ratings. Usually between 47-51mpg at highway-freeway speeds from the manual. and 40-44 from an automatic. Im slightly offended they didn't bother to mention the one they had one an automatic (I'm assuming, based on the rarity of 2LT manuals in existance.)

[@AndresSalazarAutos]

@ViperVenomACR Put it this way, if you drop a rock from 10 feet high it doesn't mean the if you drop it from 20 it's speed will be double. I mean to say, me greater the speed the more energy is needed it may seem 10mph is a low difference but the energy needed to reduce those 10 is greater than the one needed for the next 10... I hope I was clear enough, if not sorry, but there are pretty good physics explanation over the web

[@tinleo333]

@flatblackstrat the cvt can simulate 4,5,6,7,8,9,10 speed it has almost unlimited speed ratios the engine is always running at the optimum power and the best trans is the lexus 8 speed or the new bmw 8 speed not a six but like i told you the cvt can simulate 8,10,15,20 speed with out a hot running torque converter and losing power or economy when is shifting up or down.

[@luisinhoens90]

@tinleo333 Another curiosity. If you mention the Fiesta is sooooo small why it´s outselling the Versa and every other subcompact?? It seems most Americans don´t care about that too small interior you mention.

[@strker99]

Definitely!!!! I test drove the Cruze, Elantra and fell in love with the Mazda 3. The chevy Cruze was WAY too over priced for me. About $30,000 for the LTZ trim and the LT turbo RS package was about $27,000 what a joke! Ended up picking up a crystal white pearl Mazda 3 GS-L SKYACTIV Sport. Leather interior, Sunroof, Fogs, Heated power seats etc for $23,236. Such a fun car to drive everyday, and a lot more peppier than the Cruze. I've gotten 0-60 in 7.8 seconds. Not bad for a car $7000 cheaper.

[@MrSammySung13]

Hyundai for I own a limited 2012 elantra and I love it in everyway... you also now get more content in the 2012 and 2013

[@beraflaq1582]

Cruze more beauty looking

[@The836812]

Cruze is the better car in this situation, Car and Driver is becoming incredibly ford biased

[@Ubrmen]

I am looking to buy one of these cars. I am leaning towards the Elantra but I am curious to which one will have the longest life span and be the most reliable.

[@SwPiotrek]

That's why Focus is my favourite compact car.

[@urabusliberty9258]

2012 and above jettas have soft touch in higher trims

[@patientx77]

@ViperVenomACR Technically speaking, its the momentum of a car that determines braking distance, and momentum goes up as the square of the speed, in other words, double the speed = quadruple the momentum. So even though the speed has only gone up 10 mph, the momentum has increased much more, hence the extra 53 feet in stopping distance. Also, remember that the higher the speed, you are also covering more distance in a given amount of time.

[@sb632]

Xcorgi: the focus has a dual clutch transmission like the dsg in vw's. it has a manual type thing on the shifter, just not like u normally see.

[@rommell83]

Same thing happened to us. Even though they adjusted their new mpg it still doesn't perform to the new numbers. We feel that we got ripped off considering the mpg was our main reason for buying the Elantra.

[@rommell83]

Last year I bought an Elantra for my wife. The main selling point for us was the 40 or more mpg. We have yet to get more than 34 on out of state trips and usually it is 33. We like the car, but got scammed on the mpg. I have talked to several other Elantra owners and 34 hwy mpg is the best I have heard. Should have gotten a Prius!

[@David-pf9xe]

I'd love to see all these Focus owners come back now and comment how much fun they had putting their cars back in the shop for tcm flashes and "updates". The dry dual clutch turned out to be the worst idea any car company ever had. The 2012 focus was probably the worst car Ford ever sold. Great car, until you actually drove it.

[@luiseduardo586]

Jetta, Mazda and Hyundai. In the same order.

[@razorx3113]

Well here is my two cents, I've been looking and have done test driving of several of these cars. The Mazda 3, Chevy Cruze, Hyundi Elantra, and the VW Jetta and a Golf. At this point I loved the Ford the best. All the cars have the good and the bad things about them. My brother bought an Elantra and loves it, not sure about the 40 mpg, cars not broke in yet. The thing I liked best about the ford is the way it handled, unbelievable. May wait till 2013, see if they can clear up Ford touch?

[@thenixter101]

I doubt anybody is going to be drag racing and going through tight turns as they did in this video. Truthfully, these cars have their ups and downs and your decision that you like it or not is just personal preference. These cars were designed to give you a decent amount of comfort and good gas-mileage. Thumbs up if you agree.

[@sb632]

do you have the turbo in your cruze? how do you like it and what average combined mpg have you seen?

[@justthebestgolfer]

@gunnernaut I just bought a NEW 2012 Hyundai Elantra Limited model & Im LOVING IT:) The handling of the car drives well because it is light&is the lightest of all 5 of these cars.It won car of the year in 2011 & 2012.The gas mileage is the best out of the 5 cars.I think the Focus hatchback looks good.The inside design/dashboard looks 2nd best.The dashboard/inside of the Mazda looks normal&the same.I dont really like the red lighting.

[@importcarenthusiast]

I drove a Focus yesterday with the 5 speed manual, and loved it! But the handling isnt quite as sharp as my 2012 Mazda3.

[@Friendly0Dan]

Mazda really knows what they're doing. People say the car looks too happy but I actually like that, and it is the drivers car out of all of them. I think the Elantra looks probably the best, the Cruze is kind of boring, but not as boring as the Jetta, and I don't really like the Focus' styling, but maybe I haven't seen it enough for it too warm up to me. but if I had to choose, i'd go with an Electric Blue Mazda 3. :)

[@kxavier647]

I have a Cruz for about a year or so it has not let me down it's a good car if it Can carry 4 big people and not lag it's good in my books

[@yourbangness]

Just bought the focus! After I test drove all of these cars (plus the civic), it was the best ride quality. Even though the elantra had alot of room and better mpg like many of you said, the ride quality felt like it had a loose screw...steering wasnt very solid imo....

[@michaellyons3643]

After 10 years i still love my focus SEL after 100k miles and lots to be thankful for as friends with other cars have rusted and engine failure after only 5. Thank you Ford for making a great car it's just to bad you can't sell it it the USA due to political decisions.

[@rommell83]

That is great Dave. At least Chevy estimated an honest mpg. My Volks TDI was estimated at 50, but there are times when I get 52. That shows more integrity than Hyundai showed me.

[@lulinhaMD]

In the EUA, the Elantra is made with disc brake in 4 wheels? Or have a rear drum?

[@LuisRuiz06]

The best: Chevy Cruze & Mazda 3

[@chuckers40]

I would see this test redone adding the new look Nissan Sentra and Kia Forte to the test and see if there would be different results.

[@bugattiveyron277]

well recalls were made on very low volume of cars affected, just safety precautions, many companies wouldn't consider if less than 1000 units for example get affected, issues reported are in 100s of people, any issue get fixed by warranty theres no risk despite recalls, one the issues of the fire in the engine is because people who do their own oil changed do not wipe the skid plate as oil drips on it, can't blame user error on company but gm made recall anyway, new skid plate was designed

[@tinleo333]

@flatblackstrat check the versa 1.8 auto 24mpg city versa cvt 27 mpg city the cvt is faster than a manual to at least in 0-60 runs.

[@sb632]

ducman: vw is a much more upscale brand than any other in this review. the current jetta while really nice looking is much cheaper inside than the previous year, at least in the non gli model. i'm surprised they didn't put the new civic and the kia forte in here.

[@chris850t]

@ViperVenomACR More speed and momentum. I'm not a scientist, but that 10mph gap makes a huge difference.

[@rommell83]

My 2001 Jetta TDI with 372,000 miles gets between 46 and 52 mpg and it handles much better than the Elantra we bought.

[@SoundgardenMan]

Going for the black on black manual se sport Focus in the spring...cant wait!

[@bugattiveyron277]

thanks for buying a cruze and supporting american jobs i happen to work for general motors involving production of the cruze and the transition of quality from cobalt and cavalier to the cruze is amazing, like they said its a junior cadillac. and hope this cruze lasts you a long time, cuz civic and coralla are no where near quality they had back in the day, their boring and quality is average like any other car.

[@JordieG8]

The new calibration solves the Transmission issue, it was like night and day!

[@litdoe7021]

Wtf is this? I just bought a 2012 elantra and it does 0 to 60 in 7.8 seconds. Faster than my 2008 civic automatic. Anyways i can careless bout 0 to 60 as long as is not slow as hell. Elantra has a bigger interior and better ride confort than mazda 3 and my civic. Its between a camry and i have own a all cars i mentioned in the past 4 years

[@heroheroic]

The Cruze looks awesome coming around that curb

[@57ttocs]

With the new Skyactice technology mazda wins by a landslide. If you want it to be more practical, get the hatchback, its got tons of cargo room.

[@Xcorgi]

P.S, plus the new mazda 3 has a new 6-speed auto stick. Ford does not have that option.

[@lulinhaMD]

Only this! What's the engine and transmission of this Focus? Can you answer me?

[@ebparsa]

I'm not the one suing them, in case you hadn't noticed. All I'm saying that some of these companies' estimations are way off and I can understand why customers feel tricked. For instance, why is Mazda using its European consumption rates for the North American market? Because it suits their marketing goals better.

[@luisinhoens90]

@ricksmiths10 No, they didn´t forget the 2012 Civic, if you read the full article they explained the Civic wasn´t available by the time they did the comparo. So they´ll compare the winner from this comparison with the 2012 Civic. And the final result shouldn´t be surprise to anyone according to the fact that Focus has improved a lot while Civic only made minimal changes and previous generation was beaten by current Mazda3, so logic´d be: Focus winner in the segment but we have yet to see.

[@ge3edy]

Why are the braking distances from 70 are much longer than from 60?? for example the cruze stops from 60 in 119 feet while from 70 172???

[@rommell83]

True, but the point I guess is that the Volkswagen delivered the mpg it had advertised. The Elantra advertised 40 plus on the highway and it gets 33/34 traveling for hundreds of miles at a steady 65 mph. We got scammed.

[@damieg82]

@doddsalfa that's what I was talking about too. My country gets the "euro" Focus but for 2012, Ford has consolidated the US and euro designs into one. So what you see here is what the world has now. Actually this IS the new euro Focus. Ford USA discontinued a pure American version, and adopted the euro models complete with euro engines, suspension tuning, etc, just as they did with the Fiesta, and planning to do with the Fusion (gonna be replaced by the next gen Mondeo).

[@TheRealVranesh]

I am 25 and I do care. This is the matter of age... If a car's driving is too sloppy, I'll hate it. That is why I went for Mazda 3... It just drives well and that is important for me. See they are not alone which shows you are dead wrong.

[@ldrago1310]

I pick the focus and cruze !!!! i don't know why some Americans hate focus and cruze !!!! i am asian but I LOVE the new focus and cruze !!! i am so glad that the new focus is the winner here !!! i am gonna buy he new focus

[@DJR5280]

these 0 to 60 numbers for these cars are a bit sketchy considering all other reviews have no 2012 focus going 0 to 60 in under 8 seconds or a cruze doing it in 8 seconds flat !

[@Zinizzle]

I love that Focus!! I would probably stick with the Mazda though, just looks sportier to me.

[@Lyka-clock]

I've had a 3 and a focus. Both are great handling cars but I just feel the 3 is a cooler sportier looking ride.

[@blancaspalomitas]

I just bought a focus, glad to find is first place here =)

[@lulinhaMD]

The project of the Chevy Cruze was made by Opel, on the New Opel Astra Plataform. The Daewoo help to make the design because the koreas are pleasing in this regard. So, it's a very good product. The Chevy can improve it? Always!

[@speedfreak127]

What about Mitsubishi Lancer? It deserves a run in this comparison.

[@happy543210]

@ActionBastard85 Good point...honestly, I think the Chevy has the best looking front end.

[@bugattiveyron277]

do you think a cavalier sticker would make you think you have an up level car like the cruze actually is? cavalier is entry level , its a name gm doesn't want

[@bugattiveyron277]

i see your point, gm is trying to be like toyota and make cars for people who hate to drive or all 4 doors family cars. gm is not capturing the enthusiast market. being said if youre buying a car other than to have fun you can't go wrong with american car the warrantys are the same, plus youre helping economy and helping retirees relating to auto industry. i have a cobalt ss and i wish gm offered something like that today

[@autonathan]

I like the Cruze, Jetta, and Elantra. Of the three I think I would get the Jetta for the TDI, however, I think the Elantra and the Cruze look classy and that is what I want. Not something that stands out in a crowd. I think the Mazda and Focus look too flashy.

[@bmwmsport11]

They all seem like good cars. But for me the jetta and Mazda are the first cars I would look at. Then the cruze, elantra, and lastly focus. Yeah the focus may have been the best of off of them, but the styling doesn't catch me.

[@luisinhoens90]

BTW: Cruze isn't an uplevel car by any means. Compared to the Cobalt... OF COURSE! But inside is still all cheap hard plastics with some thin cloth trim on the dash. Not a bad car by any means, and a worthy upgrade from a Cobalt or Cavalier but not that much to consider it uplevel

[@evertonman1000]

No doubt about the sponsor here. well invested, Ford.

[@onenikkione]

i compaired and test drove 3 of these cars. i wanted to stay at $19500 with tax, everything -priced out the door. inorder to get cruse control in the chevy cruze had to chose highest priced model ($21,000). i personally didnt like the seats in the focus and with my driver seat adjusted it left little room in the back (i'm 6' 1"). ended up purchasing a hyundai elantra.

[@natemorris925]

ill be buying this summer and am leaning towards the cruze. i think if ford improved the focus so much they should have renamed it. i equate it with all the 05's that are all dented up and dented with hubcaps missing. same thing with hyundai. i dont think ill ever own one no matter how many features they pack into them just because of what they were.i dont care about performance or if my car can park itself. i can save $1000 by getting a true manual trans. focus looks like it has a vader mask on

[@hondacar]

@Block2Productionsmov I have more respect for the Golf R than the GTI,but remember the ST Focus (if it will be called that in Nth America)will have 184kw(247 hp) and 360nm(265 lbf-ft),so it's very close to the hp of the R and have more torque than the R. If Ford decide to make the RS version of the Focus then the Golf R will be out of it's league.I suppose the trump card in the Golf's R side will be it's AWD system.

[@KonaKoo]

That Mazda is FINNNNEEE. I like that front end better than the updated one.

[@wtrdogg20]

@JonO387 No man, thats your personal opinion. Basically you are saying the F1 drivers or WRC drivers are not real drivers?? I am sure they are more drivers than you and me together, and they dont use a clutch to change gears, because FYI the paddle shift, sport tronic or any variant is automatic with manual shifting, developed from the racing technology, and thats the upcoming standard. Based on your perception, then I am a really good driver, cuz I drive manual or auto with paddles like pro.

[@bluestarkad17]

i really dont understand motortrend...all these cars will be sold in the U.S., yet they are judging them based on how sporty they drive and putting them down for how soft they drive....correct me if im wrong, but a hell of a lot of U.S. citizens prefer the softer ride over the sportier ride...shouldnt the cars that do that the best be the ones that are ranked higher?

[@flatblackstrat]

@tinleo333 CVTs do not save gas. The highest EPA rated non hybrid cars in America are all either manuals or automatics. Not one of them is a CVT, There isn't even one CVT car that is getting 40 MPG. The Cruze, Elantra and Focus all reached or surpassed those numbers with autos or manuals. You seem to forget GM was using CVTs before and they canned it because their weren't any real gains. You really need to check truedelta. 02,04,07 were all bad years, had far worse reliability than civic.

[@ChrisARC]

I haven't been in the Elantra. If I had to get one, it would be the focus or cruze. Maybe mazada 3 also

[@herve30able1]

Car and Drivers prefer all american cars to win. I don't know why they tested the Jetta with the old 2,5l. I own the 2014 model wit the 1,8 TSI highline. For me, 1st choice !

[@lukehoisington4236]

I bought a 2013 gli yesterday

[@herve30able1]

+Luke Hoisington Is it the 2,0l. Turbo ? If so, it is a very good deal !

[@lukehoisington4236]

+herve30able1 yes it is. better than the 2.slow base engine

[@herve30able1]

Luke, the old 2,0 l. is running for too long. The new 2,0T is new and I envy you for the years to come.

[@lukehoisington4236]

+herve30able1 my brother is the sales manager at Volkswagen so I got a steal on it. traded in a 2009 Mercedes Benz c class

[@SavageListener]

my girlfriend got a accent that only gets 34 and she mostly drives hwy. Hyundai apologized and downgraded from 40mpg to 37mpg but that is still unreal. They offer credit back on the fuel difference lost. Decent car but she wished she didn't sacrifice the wasted mpg for the cramped space.

[@mauriciotmr]

@Moodyz3 I prefer Chevy Cruze!

[@jattsidhu59]

Cruze looks are the best than all other cars in this video..., :)

[@djkenny1202]

I would go Mazda 3. Economy, Reliability, Steering, Handling. Tops.

[@jogreb7]

i just bought the new mazda3 and i love it!