Compare 2012 Chevrolet Cruze vs 2012 Hyundai Elantra vs 2012 Kia Forte

2012 Chevrolet Cruze
X
2012 Hyundai Elantra
X
2012 Kia Forte
X
Select style
4-Door Sedan ECO
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
Cruze 4-Door Sedan ECO 28 42 $18,552 $19,325
Cruze 4-Door Sedan LS 25 36 $16,212 $16,800
Cruze 4-Door Sedan LT w/1LT 26 38 $17,812 $18,555
Cruze 4-Door Sedan LT w/2LT 26 38 $19,857 $20,685
Cruze 4-Door Sedan LTZ 26 38 $22,146 $23,190
Select style
4-Door Sedan Automatic GLS
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
Elantra 4-Door Sedan Automatic GLS 28 38 $17,010 $17,595
Elantra 4-Door Sedan Automatic GLS PZEV 28 38 $17,010 $17,595
Elantra 4-Door Sedan Automatic Limited 28 38 $19,727 $20,595
Elantra 4-Door Sedan Automatic Limited PZEV 28 38 $19,727 $20,595
Elantra 4-Door Sedan Manual GLS 28 38 $14,918 $15,345
Elantra Touring 4-Door Wgn Automatic GLS 23 30 $16,685 $17,195
Elantra Touring 4-Door Wgn Automatic SE 23 30 $19,443 $20,295
Elantra Touring 4-Door Wgn Manual GLS 23 31 $15,539 $15,995
Elantra Touring 4-Door Wgn Manual SE 23 31 $18,687 $19,495
Select style
4-Door Sedan Automatic EX
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
Forte 4-Door Sedan Automatic EX 26 36 $16,760 $17,600
Forte 4-Door Sedan Automatic LX 26 36 $15,880 $16,200
Forte 4-Door Sedan Automatic SX 23 32 $18,190 $19,100
Forte 4-Door Sedan Manual LX 25 34 $14,900 $15,200
Forte 5-Door 5-Door HB EX 26 36 $17,240 $18,100
Forte 5-Door 5-Door HB SX 23 32 $18,670 $19,600
Forte Koup 2-Door Coupe Automatic EX 25 34 $17,330 $18,200
Forte Koup 2-Door Coupe Automatic SX 23 31 $18,670 $19,600
Forte Koup 2-Door Coupe Manual EX 24 33 $16,380 $17,200
Forte Koup 2-Door Coupe Manual SX 22 32 $17,710 $18,600
Pricing
Invoice Price
$18,552
$17,010
$16,760
Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price
$19,325
$17,595
$17,600
Monthly Payment Estimate
$322 / month
$293 / month
$293 / month
The Car Connection's Take
TCC Rating
8.0
8.2
7.4
TCC’s Bottom Line
The 2012 Chevrolet Cruze is a practical, comfortable, fuel-efficient, and a strong value, but it does lack the nimble, tossable feel that some small-car fans appreciate. The 2012 Hyundai Elantra has officially left the Civic and Corolla in the dust, thanks to a 38-mpg gas mileage rating, a sleek look, and tremendous value for the money. The 2012 Kia Forte family of vehicles manages to feel more eager, comfortable, and sophisticated than its sticker price might suggest.
TCC Likes
TCC Dislikes
Fuel Economy
City
28 mpg 28 mpg 26 mpg
Highway
42 mpg 38 mpg 36 mpg
Vehicle
Number of Passenger Doors
4 4 -
EPA Classification
Midsize Car Midsize cars Compact Cars
Interior Dimensions
Second Hip Room (in)
52.4 52.7 53.3
Front Shoulder Room (in)
54.8 55.9 55.7
Passenger Volume (ft³)
94.6 95.6 96.8
Second Head Room (in)
37.9 37.1 37.6
Second Shoulder Room (in)
53.9 54.8 54.7
Front Leg Room (in)
42.3 43.6 43.3
Passenger Capacity
5 5 5
Front Hip Room (in)
53.0 53.5 53.0
Second Leg Room (in)
35.4 33.1 35.0
Front Head Room (in)
39.3 40.0 40.0
Exterior Dimensions
Track Width, Front (in)
60.7 61.0 61.3
Min Ground Clearance (in)
- TBD - 5.5 5.9
Length, Overall (in)
181.0 178.3 178.3
Height, Overall (in)
58.1 56.5 57.5
Track Width, Rear (in)
61.3 61.5 61.6
Wheelbase (in)
105.7 106.3 104.3
Liftover Height (in)
- TBD - NA - TBD -
Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)
70.7 69.9 69.9
Cargo Area Dimensions
Trunk Volume (ft³)
15.4 14.8 14.7
Brakes
Drum - Rear (Yes or )
Yes NA NA
Brake ABS System
Four-Wheel 4-Wheel 4-Wheel
Disc - Rear (Yes or )
NA Yes Yes
Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)
NA 10.3 x - TBD - 10.3 x - TBD -
Brake Type
Pwr Pwr Pwr
Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)
- TBD - NA NA
Disc - Front (Yes or )
Yes Yes Yes
Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)
10.8 x - TBD - 11.0 x - TBD - 11.0 x - TBD -
Fuel Tank
Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)
12.6 12.8 13.7
Steering
Steering Ratio (:1), Overall
15.5 14.2 14.2
Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)
35.7 34.8 33.9
Steering Type
Pwr Pwr Rack & Pinion Pwr Rack & Pinion
Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)
2.7 2.9 2.89
Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)
- TBD - NA - TBD -
Tires
Rear Tire Order Code
5GN NA - TBD -
Front Tire Size
P215/55R17 P205/55R16 P195/65R15
Spare Tire Size
NA NA - TBD -
Front Tire Order Code
5GN NA - TBD -
Spare Tire Order Code
NA NA - TBD -
Rear Tire Size
P215/55R17 P205/55R16 P195/65R15
Trailering
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
NA NA NA
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
NA NA NA
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)
NA NA NA
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)
NA NA NA
Weight Information
Base Curb Weight (lbs)
3011 2701 2791
Wheels
Front Wheel Size (in)
17 x - TBD - 16 x 6.0 15 x 5.5
Spare Wheel Size (in)
NA NA - TBD -
Rear Wheel Material
Aluminum Steel Steel
Rear Wheel Size (in)
17 x - TBD - 16 x 6.0 15 x 5.5
Front Wheel Material
Aluminum Steel Steel
Spare Wheel Material
NA NA - TBD -
Cooling System
Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)
- TBD - 2.2 6.3
Electrical
Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)
438 - TBD - 550
Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)
120 90 110
Engine
SAE Net Torque @ RPM
148 @ 1850 131 @ 4700 144 @ 4300
Engine Order Code
LUJ NA NA
Displacement
1.4L/83 1.8L/110 2.0L/122
SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM
138 @ 4900 148 @ 6500 156 @ 6200
Engine Type
Turbocharged Gas I4 Gas I4 Gas I4
Fuel System
Electronic Fuel Injection Electronic Fuel Injection Electronic Fuel Injection
Mileage
EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)
42 38 36
EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)
28 28 26
Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)
33 32 29
Transmission
Clutch Size (in)
- TBD - NA NA
Third Gear Ratio (:1)
1.30 1.83 1.80
Trans Type
6 6 6
Drivetrain
Front Wheel Drive Front Wheel Drive Front Wheel Drive
Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)
0.74 1.00 1.00
Trans Description Cont. Again
NA NA NA
Reverse Ratio (:1)
3.82 3.44 3.38
Eighth Gear Ratio (:1)
NA - -
Second Gear Ratio (:1)
2.16 2.72 2.63
Trans Order Code
MF3 NA NA
Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)
3.83 3.06 2.88
Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)
0.96 1.39 1.38
Trans Description Cont.
Manual Automatic w/manual shift Automatic
Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)
0.61 0.77 0.77
First Gear Ratio (:1)
4.27 4.40 4.21
Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)
NA - -
Summary
Vehicle Name
Chevrolet Cruze Hyundai Elantra Kia Forte
Body Style
Sedan 4 Door Sedan 4 Door Sedan
Suspension
Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)
- TBD - NA - TBD -
Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)
0.98 0.9 - TBD -
Suspension Type - Rear
Compound Crank Torsion Axle Torsion Beam
Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)
NA w/Coil Springs w/Coil Springs
Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)
- TBD - NA - TBD -
Suspension Type - Front
MacPherson Strut MacPherson Strut MacPherson Strut
Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)
- TBD - NA - TBD -
Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)
NA w/Coil Springs w/Coil Springs
Emissions
Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year
5.7 - TBD - 6.3
EPA Greenhouse Gas Score
- - 7
Crash Test Ratings
Overall Rating
Overall Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Driver
Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Passenger
Overall Side Crash Rating
Side Barrier Rating
Side Barrier Rating Driver
Side Barrier Rating Passenger Rear Seat
Side Pole Rating Driver Front Seat
Combined Side Rating Front Seat
Combined Side Rating Rear Seat
Rollover Rating

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