Differences Between 2018 Chevrolet Cruze & 2018 Ford Focus

Serving Columbus, OH, Louisville, KY, and Springfield, OH

If you are looking for an affordable car, you may have the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze and 2018 Ford Focus on your list. Sedan and hatchback styles are available for both. So how exactly does the two compare? We've gathered some facts here to see which one comes out on top. The choice is up to you.

Automotive Investment

If you look at your next car as an automotive investment, you'll be interested in how these two compare. The Chevy Cruze starting price is lower than the comparable Ford Focus. This gives you wiggle room in your budget. Plus, you get all of Chevy's most important infotainment features on the base edition. Ford holds back the touchscreen, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay for a higher edition. Furthermore, the Cruze has earned a remarkable 4.5 out of 5 in the J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Study. The Focus claimed a below average 2.5 out of 5.

Style and Spaciousness

U.S. News and World Report judged the Cruze to have the advantage when it comes to seat comfort. The automotive journalists write that supportive seats and adult-friendly second-row space makes the difference. While the Focus second row has only 33.2 inches of legroom, the Cruze has 36.1 inches. High-quality materials, including soft touch surfaces, help push the Cruze ahead. Cargo space favors the Cruze sedan, which has a 14.8-cu.ft. trunk. In the Focus, you'll find a more limited 13.2-cu.ft. While the Focus hatchback has a slightly bigger hold (23.3 cu.ft./Focus vs 22.7 cu.ft./Cruze), the Cruze interior is bigger with the seats down (47.2 cu.ft./Cruze vs. 43.9 cu.ft./Focus). For people on the go, more wiggle room and more cargo space are definitely a plus.

Performance

You will have to test drive both cars to understand how the performance differs. That's because Chevrolet has chosen a high torque rate over a higher horsepower rate. Still, the Chevy is rated at 153 horsepower while the Ford engine is rated at 160 horsepower, a difference of only seven horsepower. The disparity comes when you look at the Cruze torque rate (177 lb-ft) which is significantly higher than the Focus (146 lb-ft of torque), a difference of 31 lb-ft. Ford is also offering a turbo, but it will cost you more money than the standard Cruze turbo. When it comes to fuel economy, the Cruze continues its edge. It earns 27 mpg city/40 mpg highway while the Focus earns 25 mpg city/34 mpg highway. The Cruze turbo diesel is unique in its class. This remarkable engine kicks out 240 lb-ft of torque for quick acceleration. It sips fuel like a hybrid, earning 52 mpg highway.

---

Check out the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze sedan and hatchback at your nearest Jeff Wyler Chevrolet dealership. There's much more to explore in this affordable, value-rich package.