
Some of the traditional high-value small car nameplates like the Corolla and Civic have found some unexpectedly tough competition from newcomers like the Hyundai Elantra and Kia Forte, while models like the Ford Focus and Mazda 3 have become even more focused (pardon us) and upscale in their cabins and driving manners.
The Hyundai Elantra occupies some of the sensible, high-value territory that the Toyota Corolla used to occupy, while Chevrolet and Dodge now have real, top-notch rivals--the Cruze and Dart--to take on the Focus.
The Chevrolet Cruze—from Ford’s crosstown rivals at Chevy—is to some the top rival to the Focus.
And there's plenty of evidence that Honda and Toyota are on the comeback trail.
Honda put a lot of effort into refreshing its Civic lineup last year, with an upgraded interior and new look just a year after a major redesign; while the Toyota Corolla is an all-new model with, perhaps most importantly, upgraded infotainment and connectivity hardware inside.
Compared to the Focus, the Chevrolet Cruze feels a little roomier yet with a rather soft ride and bland styling inside and out, it’s not nearly as exciting.
For those who want a sporty driving feel, the Mazda3 is still one of the best bets; trouble is, the 3 just has too much harshness and road noise inside.
The Dodge Dart is only offered as a sedan, and it feels like a somewhat larger car in some respects, but it's a far more stylish package than some other recent Dodge small-car efforts like the Caliber.
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Quick Specs | |||||
The 2015 Ford Focus lineup gets a clean new look for 2015, as well as a high-mileage three-cylinder engine option and revamped cabin comforts. From efficiency-minded models to the high-performance ST, it remains one of the best-driving small cars on the market. |
The 2015 Chevrolet Cruze might now be one of the oldest designs in its class, but it remains one of the strongest entries -- especially for those focused on comfort, practicality, and fuel-efficiency. |
The 2015 Dodge Dart brings back some of the Neon's personality with all of the modern features you could want in a compact car. |
The 2015 Honda Civic is refined, comfortable, and offers top-notch safety ratings and features. |
Snappy sheetmetal and smart packaging puts the 2015 Hyundai Elantra on most must-drive lists, though it's not as engaging to drive as some compact sedans. |
The 2015 Mazda 3 is one of the best-driving small cars, with efficient engines and smooth transmissions that help give it a more premium feel than its price would suggest. |
MSRP From | |||||
$17,170 | $16,170 | $16,495 | $18,290 | $17,250 | $16,945 |
Gas Mileage | |||||
23 MPG City / 38 MPG Hwy | 22 MPG City / 46 MPG Hwy | 22 MPG City / 41 MPG Hwy | 22 MPG City / 47 MPG Hwy | 24 MPG City / 38 MPG Hwy | 25 MPG City / 41 MPG Hwy |
Engine | |||||
Regular Unleaded I-4 | Gas I4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 |
EPA Class | |||||
Compact Cars | Midsize Cars | Midsize Cars | Compact Cars | Midsize Cars | Compact Cars |
Style Name | |||||
4-Door Sedan S | 4-Door Sedan Manual L | 4-Door Sedan SE | 2-Door Manual LX | 4-Door Sedan Manual SE (Alabama Plant) | 4-Door Sedan Manual i SV |
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 | |||||
N/A | 4 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Body Style | |||||
Sedan | Sedan | Sedan | Coupe | Sedan | Sedan |
Transmission | |||||
Manual w/OD | Manual | Manual w/OD | Manual w/OD | Manual w/OD | Manual w/OD |
Detailed Spec Comparison | |||||
2015 Ford Focus vs. 2015 Chevrolet Cruze | 2015 Ford Focus vs. 2015 Dodge Dart | 2015 Ford Focus vs. 2015 Honda Civic | 2015 Ford Focus vs. 2015 Hyundai Elantra | 2015 Ford Focus vs. 2015 Mazda MAZDA3 |