Thoughts on Chevy Cruze vs. 2012 Ford Focus?

[Slick5150]

I'm in the market for a new car in the next few weeks, and am looking for something with good fuel efficiency. I test drove the Chevy Cruze ECO yesterday and came away pretty impressed, though the styling of the car, especially in the rear, is only so-so.

In what I've read of the new 2012 Focus, it should offer similar performance/fuel efficiency at right around the same price point as the Cruze, and the styling is perhaps a bit more interesting, though it seems there's less interior space than the Cruze has.

Any thoughts on which will end up being the better route to go in? I know the new Focus won't actually hit dealers for a few more weeks, but I'm trying to decide if I should just get the Cruze now or wait for the Focus.

Edit: By the way, I'm only looking at American cars, so alternatives like the Honda Civic aren't options for me. Thanks.

 

[yh125d]

Wait to drive the Focus if at all possible

 

[Lotheron]

Wait to drive the Focus if at all possible

This. Not saying the Cruze is a bad car, because it's miles above any other car in the class that are getting long in the tooth (corolla, civic), but just wait on the Focus before you decide.

 

[MiataNC]

There is a Cruze hatchback that may or may not be coming to the US. If you are willing to wait a couple weeks/months to know for sure, I think it looks better than the sedan.

 

[DaveJ]

Edit: By the way, I'm only looking at American cars, so alternatives like the Honda Civic aren't options for me. Thanks.

That's too bad, because the new Hyundai Elantra is also worth a look. Unlike the Cruze or Focus it gets 40mpg highway at every trim level, rather than requiring you to buy the special "Eco" model. They also make the Elantra in the USA now, so that satisfies your "American" requirement.

I'd take the Focus over the Cruze, personally. I think it looks better than the Cruze, at least, plus you can get it in a hatch.

 

[yh125d]

Edit: By the way, I'm only looking at American cars, so alternatives like the Honda Civic aren't options for me. Thanks.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

To want an only American car is ignorant. Many "foreign" name plates are built here and use more North American parts than American cars.
The Chevy Cruze isn't a brand new model, it is based off of the Daewoo/Holden collaboration from 2008 model year.

If you want to get good milage and a killer deal, get a 2011 Focus. You can get them for a steal as Ford want's to get rid of them before the 2012's hit.
A buddy of mine got a base model Focus and it's pretty nice for an eco car. Power windows and locks, Auto transmission. He can get 37mpg on the highway.

 

[soulcougher73]

By American cars do you mean the Company was founded in America but builds their cars overseas or do you mean Its a foreign company but builds its cars in America?

I more impressed with cars built in America from a personal standpoint. I could care less if its an American company that outsources etc. Im more about what the jobs are. Like Nissan builds a lot of vehicles here in the states so they empolyee lots of Americans. Sounds good to me. Id rather see that then Ford building cars in Mexico.

 

[Vette73]

Can't remember but I think the focus is a little more sporty and the cruze is a little more Lux.

If you want a nice soft ride etc... then go cruze.
If you want more firm handling and driving style test drive the focus.

 

[yh125d]

By American cars do you mean the Company was founded in America but builds their cars overseas or do you mean Its a foreign company but builds its cars in America?

I more impressed with cars built in America from a personal standpoint. I could care less if its an American company that outsources etc. Im more about what the jobs are. Like Nissan builds a lot of vehicles here in the states so they empolyee lots of Americans. Sounds good to me. Id rather see that then Ford building cars in Mexico.

Is that why Almost every car thread has Fords recommended by several but I can't remember the last time someone recommended a nissan?

 

[KDKPSJ]

Interesting to see someone want American car looking at Cruze. Daewoo was responsible for its design and Opel was responsible for engineering. It's only been few months since GM factory in US even started to build it. Prior to that, most of Cruze were manufactured in Korea (The others in Aus). And I am pretty sure most of Cruze on the street or the dealer right now are still made in Korea. Basically it's imported car sold under Chevy brand.

While because US version Civic is only for US Market (Asian and European get different Civic), it has been designed and manufactured in US for, like what, a decade?

 

[Vette73]

Interesting to see someone want American car looking at Cruze. Daewoo was responsible for its design and Opel was responsible for engineering. It's only been few months since GM factory in US even started to build it. Prior to that, most of Cruze were manufactured in Korea (The others in Aus). And I am pretty sure most of Cruze on the street or the dealer right now are still made in Korea. Basically it's imported car sold under Chevy brand.

While because US version Civic is only for US Market (Asian and European get different Civic), it has been designed and manufactured in US for, like what, a decade?

The Cruzes in the US and Canada come from the american plant in Ohio. The ones in Mexico came from Korea.

The plant in Ohio has been making cruzes since July 2010

 

[soulcougher73]

Is that why Almost every car thread has Fords recommended by several but I can't remember the last time someone recommended a nissan?

What does your comment have to do with my commont? Totally apples and oranges. The OP specifically mentioned American so i was trying to get a sense of what he meant. Built american or american company. Two different things.

 

[rcpratt]

Without getting into this whole American argument, you're in luck. The 2012 Focus is the best of its class, imo.

Oops, I am going to get into the American argument anyways. The Focus is manufactured in suburban Detroit, so there's not much argument on that there.

 

[soulcougher73]

Id wait for the Focus just because it looks so much better then the Cruze. IMO

 

[KDKPSJ]

The Cruzes in the US and Canada come from the american plant in Ohio. The ones in Mexico came from Korea.

The plant in Ohio has been making cruzes since July 2010

Good to know.

So, now it's between a car with US brand emblem that was designed and engineered oversea, and built in US vs. a car with oversea brand emblem that was designed, engineered and built in US.

 

[PhoKingGuy]

Can't remember but I think the focus is a little more sporty and the cruze is a little more Lux.

If you want a nice soft ride etc... then go cruze.
If you want more firm handling and driving style test drive the focus.

The edmunds first drive pretty much said this. The Cruze is a bit cushier and the focus is a bit more "european" which makes sense as a true world car.

Also the focus has myfordtouch as an option if thats something you are interested in. Though at this point in time you would be doing a disservice to yourself to not wait and drive both before making a decision.

I've seen the new Elantras around here for awhile (Hyundai HQ), the design kinda worked on the Sonata but it looks way overdone on a smaller scale, I don't think it will age well.

 

[yh125d]

What does your comment have to do with my commont? Totally apples and oranges. The OP specifically mentioned American so i was trying to get a sense of what he meant. Built american or american company. Two different things.

My point was that you shouldn't care where a car was built, or by whom, or where the name comes from. Look at the final product, which is the thing you're dropping $20k on. Who cares if it was built by mexicans or designed by the japanese, or borrows parts from ze germans. If it's a better car, it's a better car and that should be the all of it

 

[yh125d]

I've seen the new Elantras around here for awhile (Hyundai HQ), the design kinda worked on the Sonata but it looks way overdone on a smaller scale, I don't think it will age well.

Interesting. I always thought of it as overstretched on the sonata, like it had been lengthened by 15" after the design was done, and that it fits the elantra perfectly

 

[Throckmorton]

My point was that you shouldn't care where a car was built, or by whom, or where the name comes from. Look at the final product, which is the thing you're dropping $20k on. Who cares if it was built by mexicans or designed by the japanese, or borrows parts from ze germans. If it's a better car, it's a better car and that should be the all of it

Because some of us recognize that it is in our interests to support American manufacturing, and vote with our wallets. Buy local now or you won't be able to buy anything in the future.

 

[soulcougher73]

My point was that you shouldn't care where a car was built, or by whom, or where the name comes from. Look at the final product, which is the thing you're dropping $20k on. Who cares if it was built by mexicans or designed by the japanese, or borrows parts from ze germans. If it's a better car, it's a better car and that should be the all of it

I care to an extent, but i was just trying to gauge where the OP was coming from by his remark about being American. I dont like losing American jobs to Mexico just so some companies stock can go up a quarter point.

 

[PhoKingGuy]

Interesting. I always thought of it as overstretched on the sonata, like it had been lengthened by 15" after the design was done, and that it fits the elantra perfectly

The hybrid sonata is butt ass ugly. Its seriously a mishmash of 4-5 different design languages stuffed into an overstyled fishfaced blob.

 

[zoiks]

To want an only American car is ignorant. Many "foreign" name plates are built here and use more North American parts than American cars.
The Chevy Cruze isn't a brand new model, it is based off of the Daewoo/Holden collaboration from 2008 model year.

If you want to get good milage and a killer deal, get a 2011 Focus. You can get them for a steal as Ford want's to get rid of them before the 2012's hit.
A buddy of mine got a base model Focus and it's pretty nice for an eco car. Power windows and locks, Auto transmission. He can get 37mpg on the highway.

It definitely isn't ignorant. The cars may be an offspring of an international collaboration effort but being loyal to a domestic brand is fine.

 

[ichy]

By American cars do you mean the Company was founded in America but builds their cars overseas or do you mean Its a foreign company but builds its cars in America?

Or how about the Mazda3 which is quite similar to the European version of the Focus

The whole "buy American" thing is ridiculous.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

It definitely isn't ignorant. The cars may be an offspring of an international collaboration effort but being loyal to a domestic brand is fine.

Why? Being loyal is what caused the downfall of the big 3. They became dependant on patriotism and "Buy American"
Why would thye improve or innovate of they don't have to compete with overseas manufacturers?
If American companies want people to buy their products, they have to supply a superior product. Plain and simple.

If you want the money to stay in America what's more important? The profit go to the company and the rich chare holders earn dividends, or The American works that built the Civic get a paycheck and contribute to the Us economy by spending their paychecks?