2012 Ford Focus vs 2012 Nissan Sentra

2012 Ford Focus

2012 Nissan Sentra

Select style

4-Door Sedan S

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Focus 4-Door Sedan S	26	36	$15,635	$16,500
Focus 4-Door Sedan SE	26	36	$16,380	$17,500
Focus 4-Door Sedan SEL	28	38	$19,110	$20,500
Focus 4-Door Sedan Titanium	28	38	$20,657	$22,200
Focus 5-Door HB SE	26	36	$17,108	$18,300
Focus 5-Door HB SEL	28	38	$19,838	$21,300
Focus 5-Door HB Titanium	28	38	$21,112	$22,700

Select style

4-Door Sedan I4 CVT 2.0

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Sentra 4-Door Sedan I4 CVT 2.0	27	34	$16,888	$17,610
Sentra 4-Door Sedan I4 CVT 2.0 S	27	34	$17,125	$18,360
Sentra 4-Door Sedan I4 CVT 2.0 SL	27	34	$18,428	$19,760
Sentra 4-Door Sedan I4 CVT 2.0 SR	27	34	$17,125	$18,360
Sentra 4-Door Sedan I4 CVT SE-R	24	30	$19,107	$20,490
Sentra 4-Door Sedan I4 Manual 2.0	24	31	$15,759	$16,430
Sentra 4-Door Sedan I4 Manual SE-R Spec V	21	28	$19,571	$20,990

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$15,635

$16,888

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$16,500

$17,610

Monthly Payment Estimate

$275 / month

$294 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

8.8

Read Our Full Review

6.6

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

With the 2012 Focus, Ford shows that small cars don't have to feel so banal, with charismatic compacts that are more satisfying to drive, more luxurious, and better-equipped.

The 2012 Nissan Sentra no longer looks fresh, but especially in base 2.0 form or SE-R Spec V guise it represents a strong value for the money with a roomy, comfortable interior.

TCC Likes

Awesome poise and handling
Good steering feel
Firm but supple ride

Comfortable, quiet ride
Well-designed seating
Value for money

TCC Dislikes

Seats don't fold neatly
Moderate road noise
Cluttered audio controls (base layout)

Dowdy styling
Sedan-only bodystyle
Bluetooth only paired with CVT

Fuel Economy

City

26 mpg

27 mpg

Highway

36 mpg

34 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Compact

Interior Dimensions

Second Hip Room (in)

52.7

53.0

Front Shoulder Room (in)

55.6

56.9

Passenger Volume (ft³)

90.7

97.4

Second Head Room (in)

38.0

37.3

Second Shoulder Room (in)

53.7

55.1

Front Leg Room (in)

41.9

42.4

Passenger Capacity

Front Hip Room (in)

53.9

54.1

Second Leg Room (in)

43.7

34.5

Front Head Room (in)

38.3

40.6

Exterior Dimensions

Track Width, Front (in)

61.2

59.8

Min Ground Clearance (in)

- TBD -

5.6

Length, Overall (in)

178.5

179.8

Height, Overall (in)

57.7

59.5

Track Width, Rear (in)

60.4

60.8

Wheelbase (in)

104.3

105.7

Liftover Height (in)

- TBD -

28.1

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

71.8

70.5

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³)

13.2

13.1

Brakes

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Brake ABS System

4-wheel

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

Brake Type

Pwr

Power

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

8.98 x - TBD -

9.0 x - TBD -

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

10.94 x - TBD -

11.02 x 0.94

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

12.4

14.5

Steering

Steering Ratio (:1), Overall

14.7

16.4

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

36.0

35.4

Steering Type

Pwr Rack & Pinion

Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)

2.6

2.9

Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)

- TBD -

Tires

Rear Tire Order Code

- TBD -

Front Tire Size

P195/65R15

P205/60HR15

Spare Tire Size

Compact

T125/70D16

Front Tire Order Code

- TBD -

Spare Tire Order Code

- TBD -

Rear Tire Size

P195/60R15

P205/60HR15

Trailering

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

100

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

150

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

1000

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

1000

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

2857

2975

Wheels

Front Wheel Size (in)

15 x - TBD -

15 x 6.5

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Compact

16 x - TBD -

Rear Wheel Material

Steel

Rear Wheel Size (in)

15 x - TBD -

15 x 6.5

Front Wheel Material

Steel

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Cooling System

Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)

6.1

2.1

Electrical

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

- TBD -

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

- TBD -

100

Engine

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

146 @ 4450

147 @ 4800

Engine Order Code

Displacement

2.0L/121

2.0L/122

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

160 @ 6500

140 @ 5100

Engine Type

Gas I4

Fuel System

Direct Injection

SMPI

Mileage

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

Transmission

Clutch Size (in)

- TBD -

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.45

Trans Type

Drivetrain

Front Wheel Drive

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.80

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

3.72

1.75

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

2.14

Trans Order Code

- TBD -

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

3.82

5.41

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.03

Trans Description Cont.

Manual

CVT

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

First Gear Ratio (:1)

3.67

2.35 - 0.39

Summary

Vehicle Name

Ford Focus

Nissan Sentra

Body Style

4 Door Sedan

Suspension

Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)

- TBD -

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)

0.93

0.91

Suspension Type - Rear

SLA

Torsion Beam

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Front

MacPherson Strut

Independent Strut

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)

0.75

0.87

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

w/Coil Springs

Emissions

EPA Greenhouse Gas Score

- TBD -

Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year

6.2

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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