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2011 Chevrolet Cruze vs. 2012 Ford Focus, From The Inside Out

By Bengt Halvorson
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42 46,694 views January 13, 2010

2011 Chevrolet Cruze Los Angeles 2009

2011 Chevrolet Cruze Los Angeles 2009

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2011 Ford Focus

2011 Ford Focus

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With the new 2011 Chevrolet Cruze and 2012 Ford Focus, as shown out on the Detroit auto show floor, you're looking at the future heart of the market. According to many who keep tabs on the industry, the so-called C-segment--the size of these two small sedans--is slated to grow rapidly over the next several years.

The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze made its production debut at this past year’s Los Angeles auto show, and General Motors was showing several examples of its Chevrolet Cruze compact sedan here at the show. But the cross-town rivalry could be felt as Ford chose the Detroit auto show for the global debut of its all-new 2012 Ford Focus.

Comparing their respective exterior designs, the new Focus and Cruze are around the same size overall and, when you hold their profiles side by side, are remarkably similar in terms of overall profile.

That's about where the comparisons end. While the Cruze is clean and conservative--undoubtedly too much so for some tastes--the Focus has lots of details to be discovered, from the lipped wheel wells and flared fenders to the aggressive front end design, flowing sheetmetal leading to the taillamps, and more overt wheel designs. Topping it all off are the dual sharp 'Z' creases in the sheetmetal, which, to this reviewer's eyes effectively lower the beltline and give the proportions more of a sport-sedan pop.

In an informal poll of fellow auto journalists out on the Detroit auto show floor, nearly everyone preferred the Focus' exterior to that of the Cruze, although several noted that the Focus design was on the verge of being busy.

Take a look inside, and neither design neglects the details. Though both models are relatively affordable, their cabins have design attributes and materials that would have only been seen in luxury-brand vehicles just a few years back. For now, they serve to make the current 2010 Ford Focus and 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt look downright aged.

Over the next several slides, we take a first look at some of the interior details of these new compacts from Chevy and Ford. Take a closer look with us, and let us know which one you think is the winner.






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Comments (42)

  1. By Rich Posted: 1/13/2010 7:46am PST

    I'm a little shocked how ordinary and "90s" the new Cobalt, I mean Cruze, looks. I hope Chevy does well but I expect to see a lot of these on rental lots.
     
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  2. By cory Posted: 1/13/2010 9:58am PST

    I like the Cruze - to me it looks it has more muscle, the front end is way more mean and aggressive looking than the '90s style Focus front end.
     
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  3. By Tall1 Posted: 1/13/2010 11:28am PST

    The outside design of the Cruze just does not look very modern. It does look dated and not much different from the Cobalt (again why the name change). The Focus however looks modern, upscale and something you would not be embarrassed to get into. The Cruze has a nice interior but lacks the visual spark on the outside. I agree with the previous poster that the Cruze will be a rental car favorite for years to come. Wait another 5 years for GM to come out with another 'c' named compact that will be more of the same.
     
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  4. By jim, Posted: 1/13/2010 12:05pm PST

    If no one bought foreign cars think of how great our economy would be!I do not allow foreign cars to park in my driveway (yes some are assembled here but where do corporate profits go?)Be an American and buy something American.When my Saturn with 249,000 miles on it dies I will buy one of these 2 cars.
     
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  5. By Benjie Posted: 1/13/2010 4:41pm PST

    Well as i see it, Cruze to me is a winner on style for the Focus, which is impressive, for me is too busy all around. and it looks not as roomy. and as for the Cruze being a rental car queen will be highly unlikely since GM and Ford decided to reduce fleet sales to the rental car companies to stop money loss. the new rental car crowns go to Toyota, Hyundai, and Kia with the Camry's and Sonata's, and Rio's, and Forte's, and Accents, and Corolla's i have yet to see a GM or ford rental car as of 2008.
     
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  6. By  ctta987 Posted: 1/13/2010 11:04pm PST

    I like interior of Focus better because I don't like two tone interior. Exterior of both cars are equally good. I would only buy the hatchback with a small turbo on it though.
     
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  7. By graham Posted: 1/14/2010 3:23am PST

    Don't forget that the Chevrolet Cruze is actually a Daewoo developped in Korea and the Ford Focus is really a Ford designed in Europe!
     
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  8. By Glen Posted: 1/14/2010 4:16am PST

    well honestly?, the cruise still looks like a cobalt, the focus has a nice sleeker look, id be interested in performance numbers, but again njust goinjg off the photos presenjted i have to say the ford designj team was a little more creative anjd "hip", and i agree with "jim" buy american and save our economy
    G
     
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  9. By Tom Posted: 1/14/2010 7:13am PST

    I'd take the Focus for its exterior, the Cruze for its interior. I'd really have to study those buttons at the base of the Focus's center stack to get the defroster going. If the stereo includes that voice-activated Sync feature, why not bury its buttons at the bottom of the stack - since you'll seldom use them. Also, did you see the ill-fitting carpet and plastic kick-panel trim-piece on that Focus? I realize these are pre-production cars, but they are show cars... c'mon Ford!
     
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  10. By Rich Posted: 1/14/2010 8:54am PST

    Have to agree with the above: the interior on the Cobalt is sophisticated and simple. But the exterior of the Focus is way more modern and sophisticated.
     
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  11. By Ron Posted: 1/14/2010 2:34pm PST

    They look okay but will they match the quality of Asian products. One ignorant poster refers to Japanese cars, which are synonymous with quality, as Japtrash. This poster is obviously in a time warp and still fighting World War II.
     
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  12. By Rich Posted: 1/14/2010 5:27pm PST

    Cruze gets 40 mpg highway and Focus gets 35 nuff said.
     
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  13. By Flaming Toyo Posted: 1/15/2010 5:54am PST

    Japtrash is right. Unless you call quality vehicles ones that randomly accelerate, have failing transmissions, sludging engines or rust off prematurely. Ford vehicles recently have surpassed Toyota in quality/reliability and have matched Honda. Chevy is right on Toyota's tail. Styling is subjective, but to me Japanese cars are as boring as it gets.
     
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  14. By AG4 Posted: 1/15/2010 6:25am PST

    I like the 2012 Focus' more modern styling.
    The Cruze isn't that bad, but its starting to look dated already (at least from the outside)
    @graham
    Although GM's Korean GMDAT branch headed the design/development of the Cruze, under the skin its based on the same platform as the new Opel Astra.
     
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  15. By himoses Posted: 1/15/2010 7:03am PST

    Me: 29 years old
    Interior: Focus...close, but I like the features on the Focus and the futuristic center stack. Cruze scores huge points on simplicity and should appeal to the older crowd that "doesn't use SYNC/bluetooth regularly."
    Exterior: Focus...Big win and more modern looking. I think the Focus crushes the Cruze in style. That said, Cruze's more squarish front end will appeal to the older segment who view that as a sign of power.
    Not sure where people got the 35 mpg rating for the Focus, but that is the current Focus rating and not the 2012. 2012 estimates to be between 38 and 41. I would wager 38 in real life driving for the base 2.0l di engine for the Focus. Cruze should easily be able to beat the Focus on price, which was a big gamble by Ford. Cruze should also edge Focus in mileage, but lose out in power by about 20 horses (1.6l Cruze compared to 2.0l Focus). Both cars could be successful and ultitmate success will hinge on marketing and production. Ford may overproduce the Focus. GM is in a position where they can compete with incentives that Ford will not be able to match due to higer production costs on the reportedly higher and more expensive material quality Focus.
     
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  16. By JoJo Posted: 1/15/2010 8:31am PST

    I've driven a focus for years and I am confident it will outsell the chevy. Those things are very well made now and mine still runs great after 7 years with only oil changes and 1 battery swap.
     
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  17. By Ian Posted: 1/17/2010 4:25pm PST

    I like the Cruze, though I agree that the quality of the plastics used on the interior looks lower. That said, I like the look of the Chevy's interior better than the Focus. At 37, maybe I qualify as an "older" consumer, because I do think the front end of the Cruze looks more powerful. The Ford is a little busy for my tastes - it conjures up a little bit of a "Fast and Furious" feel to me, and I'm not a fan of tuned-up compacts. To Jim, corporate profits ultimately go to shareholders. Why people don't understand that is beyond me. GM's "profits" don't stay in Detroit - they cause the value of GM stock to increase for shareholders all over the world. Same with Toyota, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, and every other publicly traded auto company. If you really want to support the USA, you're better off buying a vehicle assembled here, regardless of the brand, than buying a vehicle assembled in Mexico or Canada - at least you're directly contributing to the employment of American workers.
     
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  18. By rudy Posted: 1/17/2010 6:18pm PST

    . . . Japtrash eh. Is that a product that almost everybody in America has of one form or another in their home? A TV, a camera, a motorcycle, a telehone, a microwave oven, etc, etc? Why T.F. is it so different when it's a car??????
     
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  19. By rudy Posted: 1/17/2010 7:01pm PST

    The Ford Focus hands down, the more attractive car. It's sportier, a more aggressive stance and more upscale looking than the Chevy Cruze. It's about time we get the true 'world' Focus in America and let's hope the ST and RS gets here too. As for the Japcrap, I thought everything made in Japan was the best quality,eg. Sony, Panasonic, Canon, Kawasaki, Toyota, Honda, etc,etc,etc...
     
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  20. By Seriously? Posted: 1/18/2010 11:28am PST

    Japtrash? WTF? That kind of crap talk went out with party lines and Ed Sullivan. Are you guys really old, or are you just idiots? Either way you're doomed. Sucks to be you.
    *
    Also: Ford may have trumped Toyota on quality for now, but GM is not "right on Toyota's tail". (The Cobalt may have been the worst car I've ever driven.) And Chrysler? Fuggedaboudit. I'm not about to buy some crap Dodge just because it's "made in America" (though now part-owned by Italy) and sacrifice my family's safety. I'm as American as they come, but if we can't get our act together and compete, it ain't capitalism's fault.
     
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  21. By oldtimer Posted: 1/18/2010 4:22pm PST

    I prefer the solid appearance of the Chevy over the Ford. As to the comment about "Japtrash", surely you jest! Japanese and Korean cars and trucks are, for the most part, well made. It's because they are well made, that North Americans have been buying them in huge numbers for many years. I've always driven GM products and had great service from all of them,...but,...it's thanks to the Japanese that we are getting a better product from our Domestic manufacturers. Carry of Chevy and Ford, and all the best for the future.
     
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  22. By Bob Posted: 1/19/2010 11:44am PST

    I will gladly purchase one of these cars, much nicer than the JAPTRASH that pollutes the streets. Oops, I did it again.
     
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  23. By David Posted: 1/19/2010 1:44pm PST

    Well, the exterior of the cruze a modern day Cavalier needs help from GM's overseas partners. Ford has gone more euro while GM still seems the stuck in plain jane territory. How about some curves (guys don't but these cars unless they have to), and the hood looks like it belongs on a truck.
    There is a component of art that has been missed.
    That said I wouldn't buy either of these, does anyone else see the ugly front end of the traverse echoed in the Cruze?
    GM would be smart to re-badge the Soltice (don't change a thing! Other than add a retractable hard-top) It was the only GM car I've wanted in - ever
     
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  24. By J-F H Posted: 1/20/2010 9:49am PST

    Chevy and Ford are now on the track. But let's see 3 years from now about reliability. Do you remember, 20 years ago, with the Chevy Corsica ! They were suppose to be as good as japanese were. Time goes and american cars have always the same problems. I continue to buy american only to keep jobs here.
     
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  25. By john-hampton roads Posted: 2/16/2010 1:35pm PST

    Can't be 100% w/o numbers HP? ft/lb? 0-60mph? i've owned an 01' SPI Focus, 02' SVT Focus and currently own an 08'. This new focus is by far a huge leap. Besides the focus SVT fords concern with power and 4cyl just hasnt happened. Chevy's had their little SS Cobalt...nice but became another honda...i cannot drive more than 4 blocks w/o seeing one. But this 2012 focus is awesome. A 6 spd manual w/ D-I is expected after the first line is released. I cannot wait for that! The cruze is nice, but like most people you either love or hate ford/chevy. I pick ford =D. Like i said tho, very nice and is good for a cruising car just liek it's called cruze. DAVID notice these are proto's.....not final stages of production. And whoever posted seriously...i dont see Honda, hyundai, or toyota on any of my appliances. DOH' I don't see sony making cars. Hmmmmmm' lolol BUT Mitsubishi does do A/C units =D
     
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  26. By  Ryan Posted: 4/9/2010 3:09pm PDT

    Hey Glen the chevrolet cruze is 10 times better than the ford focus. The Cruze is better looking inside and out and will always beat the ford focus. Go Chevrolet.
     
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  27. By juscurious Posted: 4/16/2010 5:39pm PDT

    I like the Cruze a little better than the Focus but that is simply based on pictures. I tend to be more conservative and like classic looks that hold up. I know I'm in the minority on this one. I'd have to see the real thing though. I think about two-thirds of people will like the Focus based on looks alone. I would need to drive both and look a lot deeper into the specs before choosing one over the other. One things for sure both look better than the Civic or the Corolla. Now let's see them in real life! I hope both vehicles do well.
     
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  28. By  bbalex htct150 Posted: 8/14/2010 9:01am PDT

    Focus is so superior. The interior is pretty much more confortable and luxuous. My vote goes to Ford Focus!!!
     
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  29. By Bob Posted: 8/20/2010 7:11am PDT

    I like the Chevy Cruze & I look forward to test driving one in September, love the 2 tone interior & the contrasting trim! also the 4 cylinder ecotech engine @ 35 mpg, the Focus is real nice to, but I am partial to GM....currently have a 07' Impala LT with 74K of trouble free miles @ 30 mpg hwy...great car...keep up the good GM & Ford American owned products
     
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  30. By chris Posted: 9/6/2010 10:18am PDT

    The Focus blows the Cruze out of the water. Exterior is much better looking and sporty. The Cruze looks like very cheap plastic on the interior, like the Cobalt.
    That, and the Ford will be much more reliable than the Chevy.
     
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  31. By X-Fordy Posted: 9/13/2010 7:37am PDT

    After 32 yrs of driving, and 7 fords later, I've bought my first Honda, and do I ever love it. I'll be buying the new 2012 Honda Civic next fall. My only regret is that it will be assembled in the USA which will likely destroy much quality.
     
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  32. By oxjr Posted: 9/13/2010 9:42pm PDT

    I love the two tone look of the Cruze - but it's styling looks like someone glued some Chevy logo's on Fords old 'edge' styling. The front fender is way too close to the Fusion...and if this Ford has euro roots - look out.
     
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  33. By Mag Posted: 10/8/2010 9:19am PDT

    At those who think the Chevy is better on any level (or any foreign trash for that matter). Are you serious? (can't ask the question as it should be asked as to adhere to site rules). I would also like to add that recent article states that the Focus is priced at the Cruze pricepoint. As far as I am concerned with the Focus, you are getting a $20,000+ car starting at around $16,000, with the Cruze coming in overpriced. Focus wins on design, styling, materials, technology, dynamics....etc. And oh yeah, Ford also wins for not using government money......
     
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  34. By Greg Smith Posted: 11/12/2010 6:13am PST

    Lol at all the people saying the cruze looks like a cobalt. I am going to buy a Cruze as soon as I start to see more rebates and incentives on it. The Cruze that I saw didn't have have two tone leather seats, so I guess that is an option for the people saying they don't want two tone seats.
     
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  35. By Ex-Toyota Buyer Posted: 11/12/2010 8:07am PST

    The 2012 Ford Focus is a True World car the Chevy Cruze has an Americanized face on it instead. The Ford Focus is going to lead the C Segment make no mistake about that. Its Interior and Exterior are Superior and it has Superior Engineering to back it up. the 2012 Ford Focus a much more technologically advanced car that the Cruze
     
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  36. By ExNissanBuyer Posted: 11/12/2010 8:14am PST

    I use to buy Foreign because it was better than american made junk, but low and behold when I took a look at the new 2012 Ford Focus I said Wow. That Truely looks like what a "World Car" should look like in both Quality and Techology. the interior and exterior dynamic is flawless execution which is why I always drove Hondas and or Bought Nissans.
    The chevy cruze is still good but not in the same league with the Ford Focus in terms of its technology advances. I think Ford will do great with this car and the Fiesta. Wow. Ford bring over the 3 door please!
    This is my baby!
     
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  37. By Arnie Posted: 11/13/2010 2:38pm PST

    The grill on the Focus is a bit overdone ,otherwise the car is a clear winner.I drove the cruze and was very impressed with the fit,finnish and performance.The car is at least as quiet as my Lexus.Both cars are best buys for the C segment
     
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  38. By Eric Posted: 11/17/2010 7:11am PST

    No comparison Ford Focus way better!!!
     
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  39. By SAN Posted: 12/9/2010 1:58pm PST

    I love my ZX3 and when the new hatchback comes out, I'll be ready for a new one! I have put over 195,000 miles on my little Focus in 9 years, and, while it hasn't always been smooth sailing (I guess I'm pretty hard on brakes), the car has gone for long periods without problems. This is probably the best Ford car I've owned and I'd buy another without any qualms.
     
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  40. By Shannon Posted: 1/27/2011 10:13am PST

    I was interested in the posters comments on the car but i found this forum degrading and insulting to another culture. Why couldn't you stick to the car facts and not use derogatory terms. If you do not like a product from a country blame it on the mfg not the culture. This is the 21st century, folks
     
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  41. By Jenn Posted: 2/6/2011 5:04pm PST

    oxjr, wow! You are right. The new cruze does look like the edge! The Focus is also going to come as an all eletric car. Makes look even more forward to buying a house and having my own garage.
     
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  42. By Chad Posted: 2/7/2011 7:58pm PST

    I tried a Cruze today. It's awful. It should be a two seat two door car. When the seat was in position for my long legs it was almost a foot behind the B pillar; that left three inches between the back of the front seat and the rear seats- why have a back seat? The seat cusion also sits on the floor. When is GM going to learn that cars need ergonomics AND mileage AND Style AND reliability- all while being affrodable. Nothing demeaning, but the cruze was designed for dwarfs by idiots.
     
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