2013 Chevrolet Cruze vs. Its Competition

Bengt Halvorson Senior Editor

Some compact sedans aim at the sportier end of the market, but the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze is focused toward the mass market—as well as green shoppers.

Against models like the Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, Ford Focus, and Hyundai Elantra, the Cruze is more refined and comfortable, with an impressive feature set and interior appointments that feel a class above.

But of this group, it's the Volkswagen Jetta that's the Cruze's closest rival; the Cruze is same-sized, but it measures up a bit better against the Jetta in interior appointments—an area that the Jetta used to rule.

The Cruze is more refined than the Corolla or Civic, although the Civic has more responsive handling and a sportier feel overall.

The Civic's interior appointments have recovered from their 2012 iteration, when they looked and felt cut-rate compared to much of the class.

The Ford Focus and Mazda3 are both sportier alternatives to the Cruze; the new Skyactiv engine in the some Mazda3 models has impressive real-world mileage, and its handling and roadholding are especially surefooted.