Chevrolet Cruze vs Ford Focus
Overview | |
Years produced1998-2018 | Years produced2011-2019 |
MSRP$17,225 | MSRP$16,975 |
Average price$8,701 | Average price$9,358 |
Listings4659 | Listings5367 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews7.3 out of 10 | Expert reviews6.7 out of 10 |
Reviews SummaryFor as red-hot and competitive as the economy-car segment is, success in this corner of the market is based on some pretty mundane variables. It comes down to things like fuel economy, price, number and location of cupholders, ride quality, and other items. It basically has to be economical, reliable transportation for the everyday commute. There are other nuances, such as the ease of use of its controls, but success in this segment requires automotive pragmatism at its best. It's through this lens that we consider the 2016 Ford Focus. This 4-door, 5-passenger small car has been refreshed for this model year, building off the success of the third-generation car, which debuted in 2011. That was the first car under the “One Ford” plan, under which one car is sold on multiple continents in multiple markets with minimal changes. The result of the plan was a car that was much more refined than the two generations before it and positioned the Focus for the past several years as the best American Small Car. That accolade is as much about the Focus’ refinement as it is about the deficiencies of American-made competitors, including the Dodge Dart and Chevrolet Cruze. A second-generation Cruze has recently been unveiled, but it’s still too early for us to render a verdict on that car. It is import rivals, such as the Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, and Hyundai Elantra, that pose the greatest threat to the new-look Focus. | |
Reviews SummaryAs the dissonant chords of Dieselgate still resonate throughout the industry, most car companies have abandoned efforts toward any future diesel-powered cars. A $15 billion fine will have that sort of chilling effect. But Chevrolet has taken a different approach, instead seeing the mass retreat from diesel as an opportunity to fill a void. As the driver Jean-Pierre Sarti said in Frankenheimer’s 1966 epic “Grand Prix”: “When I see something really horrible, I put my foot down. Hard! Because I know that everyone else is lifting his.” | |
Popular Features & Specs | |
Engine2.0L 160 hp I4 Flex Fuel Vehicle | Engine1.4L 153 hp I4 |
Drive TrainFWD | Drive TrainFWD |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Horsepower160 hp @ 6500 rpm | Horsepower153 hp @ 5600 rpm |
MPG City26 | MPG City27 |
MPG Highway36 | MPG Highway40 |
Engine | |
Engine Name2.0L 160 hp I4 Flex Fuel Vehicle | Engine Name1.4L 153 hp I4 |
Torque146 lb-ft @ 4450 rpm | Torque |
Horsepower160 hp @ 6500 rpm | Horsepower153 hp @ 5600 rpm |
DrivetrainFWD | DrivetrainFWD |
Fuel Economy | |
MPG City26 | MPG City27 |
MPG Highway36 | MPG Highway40 |
Interior | |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Safety | |
Front Crash Overall5 | Front Crash Overall5 |
Side Crash Overall5 | Side Crash Overall4 |
Dimensions & Capacity | |
Cargo Space13.2 cu ft | Cargo Space14.8 cu ft |
Curb Weight2960 lbs | Curb Weight2835 lbs |
Height57.8 in | Height57.4 in |
Length178.7 in | Length183.7 in |
Width80.5 in | Width70.5 in |
Wheelbase104.3 in | Wheelbase106.3 in |
Number of doors4 | Number of doors4 |
Overview | ||
Years produced | 1998-2018 | 2011-2019 |
MSRP | $17,225 | $16,975 |
Average price | $8,701 | $9,358 |
Listings | ||
Ratings & Reviews | ||
User reviews | 4.2 | 4.3 |
Expert reviews | 7.3 out of 10Read full review | 6.7 out of 10Read full review |
Pros & cons | ||
Summary | For as red-hot and competitive as the economy-car segment is, success in this corner of the market is based on some pretty mundane variables. It comes down to things like fuel economy, price, number and location of cupholders, ride quality, and other items. It basically has to be economical, reliable transportation for the everyday commute. There are other nuances, such as the ease of use of its controls, but success in this segment requires automotive pragmatism at its best. It's through this lens that we consider the 2016 Ford Focus. This 4-door, 5-passenger small car has been refreshed for this model year, building off the success of the third-generation car, which debuted in 2011. That was the first car under the “One Ford” plan, under which one car is sold on multiple continents in multiple markets with minimal changes. The result of the plan was a car that was much more refined than the two generations before it and positioned the Focus for the past several years as the best American Small Car. That accolade is as much about the Focus’ refinement as it is about the deficiencies of American-made competitors, including the Dodge Dart and Chevrolet Cruze. A second-generation Cruze has recently been unveiled, but it’s still too early for us to render a verdict on that car. It is import rivals, such as the Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, and Hyundai Elantra, that pose the greatest threat to the new-look Focus. | As the dissonant chords of Dieselgate still resonate throughout the industry, most car companies have abandoned efforts toward any future diesel-powered cars. A $15 billion fine will have that sort of chilling effect. But Chevrolet has taken a different approach, instead seeing the mass retreat from diesel as an opportunity to fill a void. As the driver Jean-Pierre Sarti said in Frankenheimer’s 1966 epic “Grand Prix”: “When I see something really horrible, I put my foot down. Hard! Because I know that everyone else is lifting his.” |
Video | ||
Popular Features & Specs | ||
Engine | 2.0L 160 hp I4 Flex Fuel Vehicle | 1.4L 153 hp I4 |
Drive Train | FWD | FWD |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Horsepower | 160 hp @ 6500 rpm | 153 hp @ 5600 rpm |
MPG City | 26 | 27 |
MPG Highway | 36 | 40 |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 2.0L 160 hp I4 Flex Fuel Vehicle | 1.4L 153 hp I4 |
Torque | 146 lb-ft @ 4450 rpm | |
Horsepower | 160 hp @ 6500 rpm | 153 hp @ 5600 rpm |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
Fuel Economy | ||
MPG City | 26 | 27 |
MPG Highway | 36 | 40 |
Interior | ||
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Safety | ||
Front Crash Overall | 5 | 5 |
Side Crash Overall | 5 | 4 |
Dimensions & Capacity | ||
Cargo Space | 13.2 cu ft | 14.8 cu ft |
Curb Weight | 2960 lbs | 2835 lbs |
Height | 57.8 in | 57.4 in |
Length | 178.7 in | 183.7 in |
Width | 80.5 in | 70.5 in |
Wheelbase | 104.3 in | 106.3 in |
Number of doors | 4 | 4 |
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