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 LS
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
4-Door Sedan LS 25 36 $16,212 $16,800
4-Door Sedan LT w/1LT 26 38 $17,812 $18,555
4-Door Sedan ECO 28 42 $18,552 $19,325
4-Door Sedan LT w/2LT 26 38 $19,857 $20,685
4-Door Sedan LTZ 26 38 $22,146 $23,190
Select style
4-Door Sedan Manual GLS
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
4-Door Sedan Manual GLS 28 38 $14,918 $15,345
4-Door Wagon Manual GLS 23 31 $15,539 $15,995
4-Door Wagon Automatic GLS 23 30 $16,685 $17,195
4-Door Sedan Automatic GLS 28 38 $17,010 $17,595
4-Door Sedan Automatic GLS PZEV 28 38 $17,010 $17,595
4-Door Wagon Manual SE 23 31 $18,687 $19,495
4-Door Wagon Automatic SE 23 30 $19,443 $20,295
4-Door Sedan Automatic Limited 28 38 $19,727 $20,595
4-Door Sedan Automatic PZEV Limited PZEV 28 38 $19,727 $20,595
Select style
4-Door Sedan Manual LX
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
4-Door Sedan Manual LX 25 34 $14,900 $15,200
4-Door Sedan Automatic LX 26 36 $15,880 $16,200
2-Door Coupe Manual EX 24 33 $16,380 $17,200
4-Door Sedan Automatic EX 26 36 $16,760 $17,600
5-Door HB EX 26 36 $17,240 $18,100
2-Door Coupe Automatic EX 25 34 $17,330 $18,200
2-Door Coupe Manual SX 22 32 $17,710 $18,600
4-Door Sedan Automatic SX 23 32 $18,190 $19,100
2-Door Coupe Automatic SX 23 31 $18,670 $19,600
5-Door HB SX 23 32 $18,670 $19,600
Pricing
Invoice Price
$16,212
$14,918
$14,900
Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price
$16,800
$15,345
$15,200
Monthly Payment Estimate
$280 / month
$256 / month
$253 / 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
25 mpg 28 mpg 25 mpg
Highway
36 mpg 38 mpg 34 mpg
Vehicle
EPA Classification
Midsize Car Midsize cars Compact Cars
Number of Passenger Doors
4 4 -
Interior Dimensions
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 Volume (ft³)
94.6 95.6 96.8
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
Passenger Capacity
5 5 5
Second Hip Room (in)
52.4 52.7 53.3
Front Shoulder Room (in)
54.8 55.9 55.7
Exterior Dimensions
Length, Overall (in)
181.0 178.3 178.3
Height, Overall (in)
58.1 56.5 57.5
Track Width, Rear (in)
61.3 62.0 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
Track Width, Front (in)
60.7 61.5 61.3
Min Ground Clearance (in)
- TBD - 5.5 5.9
Cargo Area Dimensions
Trunk Volume (ft³)
15.4 14.8 14.7
Brakes
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 -
Drum - Rear (Yes or )
Yes NA NA
Brake ABS System
Four-Wheel 4-Wheel 4-Wheel
Fuel Tank
Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)
15.6 12.8 13.7
Steering
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 -
Steering Ratio (:1), Overall
15.5 14.2 14.2
Tires
Front Tire Size
P215/60R16 P195/65R15 P195/65R15
Spare Tire Size
NA NA - TBD -
Front Tire Order Code
QYW NA - TBD -
Spare Tire Order Code
NA NA - TBD -
Rear Tire Size
P215/60R16 P195/65R15 P195/65R15
Rear Tire Order Code
QYW NA - TBD -
Trailering
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
100 NA NA
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
150 NA NA
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)
1000 NA NA
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)
1000 NA NA
Weight Information
Base Curb Weight (lbs)
3093 2661 2729
Wheels
Rear Wheel Material
Steel Steel Steel
Rear Wheel Size (in)
16 x - TBD - 15 x 6.0 15 x 5.5
Front Wheel Material
Steel Steel Steel
Spare Wheel Material
NA NA - TBD -
Front Wheel Size (in)
16 x - TBD - 15 x 6.0 15 x 5.5
Spare Wheel Size (in)
NA NA - TBD -
Cooling System
Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)
- TBD - 2.2 6.4
Electrical
Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)
438 - TBD - 550
Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)
120 90 110
Engine
Displacement
1.8L/110 1.8L/110 2.0L/122
SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM
138 @ 6300 148 @ 6500 156 @ 6200
Engine Type
Gas I4 Gas I4 Gas I4
Fuel System
Electronic Fuel Injection Electronic Fuel Injection Electronic Fuel Injection
SAE Net Torque @ RPM
125 @ 3800 131 @ 4700 144 @ 4300
Engine Order Code
LUW NA NA
Mileage
EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)
25 28 25
Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)
29 32 29
EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)
36 38 34
Transmission
Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)
0.87 0.77 0.77
Trans Description Cont. Again
NA NA NA
Reverse Ratio (:1)
3.54 3.58 3.58
Eighth Gear Ratio (:1)
NA - -
Second Gear Ratio (:1)
2.16 1.96 1.96
Trans Order Code
MZ0 NA NA
Drivetrain
Front Wheel Drive Front Wheel Drive Front Wheel Drive
Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)
3.94 4.33 4.33
Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)
1.07 0.97 0.97
Trans Description Cont.
Manual Manual Manual
Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)
0.74 0.63 0.63
Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)
NA - -
First Gear Ratio (:1)
3.82 3.30 3.30
Clutch Size (in)
- TBD - - TBD - - TBD -
Third Gear Ratio (:1)
1.47 1.25 1.25
Trans Type
6 6 6
Summary
Vehicle Name
Chevrolet Cruze Hyundai Elantra Kia Forte
Body Style
Sedan 4 Door Sedan 4 Door Sedan
Suspension
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
Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)
- TBD - NA - TBD -
Emissions
EPA Greenhouse Gas Score
29 - 7
Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year
6.5 - TBD - 6.3
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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