The 2017 Chevrolet Cruze is a compact car in a growing segment—literally and figuratively.
Many are approaching mid-size proportions, while offering the same fuel-efficient powertrains.
The Toyota Corolla is a popular pick in the segment, somewhat because we're all creatures of habit.
The Corolla adds standout new safety features this year, but little else about the car is exciting.
The Mazda 3 may be the best driver's car among the crowd and is high on our list, but nowhere near as spacious as the Cruze.
Both the Focus and Jetta are getting long in the tooth, but would be good value picks in the class.
The Elantra beats them all on value, however, but doesn't have the same interior comfort as top Cruze models.
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 2017 Chevrolet CruzeBrowse Used Listings |  2017 Ford FocusBrowse Used Listings |  2017 Hyundai ElantraBrowse Used Listings |  2017 Mazda MAZDA3Browse Used Listings |  2017 Toyota CorollaBrowse Used Listings |  2017 Volkswagen JettaBrowse Used Listings |
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| Quick Specs | |||||
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The 2017 Chevy Cruze adds a hatch to the family that retains the same good ride and ample space, without being boomy or loud. |
The 2017 Ford Focus has great road manners and scorching high-performance editions, but it's compromised by a small back seat. |
We miss the brash, buzzy looks, for sure—but the 2017 Hyundai Elantra is now one of the most refined economy cars on the road. |
The 2017 Mazda 3 is near the top of our favorite compact cars on sale today. Its good performance, good fuel economy, and good value make for a very good car. |
The 2017 Toyota Corolla takes a well-deserved bow this year for 50 years of drama-free commuting. This model is entirely acceptable, and we're thankful for an available suite of advanced safety tech. |
The 2017 Volkswagen Jetta is a decent compact car—one in a crowded field, without a "killer app." |
| MSRP From | |||||
| $16,975 | $16,775 | $17,150 | $17,845 | $18,500 | $17,895 |
| Gas Mileage | |||||
| 28 MPG City / 52 MPG Hwy | 19 MPG City / 40 MPG Hwy | 22 MPG City / 40 MPG Hwy | 25 MPG City / 37 MPG Hwy | 27 MPG City / 40 MPG Hwy | 23 MPG City / 40 MPG Hwy |
| Engine | |||||
| Turbocharged Gas I4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 | Intercooled Turbo Regular Unleaded I-4 |
| EPA Class | |||||
| Midsize Cars | Compact Cars | Mid-Size Cars | Compact Cars | Mid-Size Cars | Compact Cars |
| Style Name | |||||
| 4-Door Sedan 1.4L L w/1SM | S Sedan | SE 2.0L Manual (Ulsan) | Sport Manual | L CVT (GS) | 1.4T S Manual |
| Drivetrain | |||||
| Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Passenger Capacity | |||||
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Passenger Doors | |||||
| 4 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Body Style | |||||
| Sedan | Sedan | Sedan | Sedan | Sedan | Sedan |
| Transmission | |||||
| Manual | Manual w/OD | Manual w/OD | Manual w/OD | CVT w/OD | Manual w/OD |
| Detailed Spec Comparison | |||||
| 2017 Chevrolet Cruze vs. 2017 Ford Focus | 2017 Chevrolet Cruze vs. 2017 Hyundai Elantra | 2017 Chevrolet Cruze vs. 2017 Mazda MAZDA3 | 2017 Chevrolet Cruze vs. 2017 Toyota Corolla | 2017 Chevrolet Cruze vs. 2017 Volkswagen Jetta | |
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