View Poll Results: If you had 16k for a new car which would you pick from these 3 cars?
Jetta
6
25.00%
Focus
13
54.17%
Cruze
1
4.17%
I wouldnt be caught dead in these cars. I will walk
4
16.67%
Voters: 24. You may not vote on this poll
$16,000 question: Jetta, Cruze, or Focus
06-16-10, 11:54 AM
#1
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
$16,000 question: Jetta, Cruze, or Focus
http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/15/t...-jetta-w-poll/
Just after we flip our calendars to the year 2011, we'll have three new sedans on the street, all poised to compete against one another and priced from around the $16,000 mark – the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta, 2011 Chevrolet Cruze and 2012 Ford Focus. Each car has a lot of positives and we're sure the automotive media will be lining up comparison tests as soon as each are ready. But right now, we want to know what you, the reader, thinks has the makings of the best $16,000 sedan. Read the details and vote for your pick below.
2011 Volkswagen Jetta
Dimensions (inches): length: 182.7, width: 70.1, height: 57.1
Engines: 2.5-liter inline-five with 170 horsepower, 177 pound-feet of torque; 2.0-liter turbo-diesel four with 140 hp, 236 lb-ft; 2.0-liter turbocharged four with 200 hp, 207 lb-ft; six-speed automatic, dual-clutch and manual transmissions will be available
Fuel economy: Over 40 mpg for TDI diesel models
Available features: Navigation, Bluetooth, 60/40 split rear seat
2011 Chevrolet Cruze
Dimensions (inches): length: 181.0, width: 70.7, height: 58.1, wheelbase: 105.7
Engines: 1.8-liter naturally aspirated inline-four with 138 horsepower and 125 pound-feet of torque; 1.4-liter turbocharged four with 138 hp and 148 lb-ft; six-speed manual and automatic transmissions available
Fuel economy: 40 mpg for Eco models
Available features: Bluetooth, USB connectivity, OnStar support
2012 Ford Focus
Dimensions (inches): length: 179, width: 72, height: 58, wheelbase: 104
Engines: 2.0-liter naturally aspirated inline-four with 155 horsepower, 145 pound-feet of torque, mated to a five-speed manual or six-speed dual-clutch automatic; 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four reportedly in the works with 240-plus hp and a six-speed manual
Fuel economy: 40 mpg highway targeted for base 2.0-liter model
Available features: SYNC, active park assist, navigation
What is the best new $16,000 sedan?
Just after we flip our calendars to the year 2011, we'll have three new sedans on the street, all poised to compete against one another and priced from around the $16,000 mark – the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta, 2011 Chevrolet Cruze and 2012 Ford Focus. Each car has a lot of positives and we're sure the automotive media will be lining up comparison tests as soon as each are ready. But right now, we want to know what you, the reader, thinks has the makings of the best $16,000 sedan. Read the details and vote for your pick below.
2011 Volkswagen Jetta
Dimensions (inches): length: 182.7, width: 70.1, height: 57.1
Engines: 2.5-liter inline-five with 170 horsepower, 177 pound-feet of torque; 2.0-liter turbo-diesel four with 140 hp, 236 lb-ft; 2.0-liter turbocharged four with 200 hp, 207 lb-ft; six-speed automatic, dual-clutch and manual transmissions will be available
Fuel economy: Over 40 mpg for TDI diesel models
Available features: Navigation, Bluetooth, 60/40 split rear seat
2011 Chevrolet Cruze
Dimensions (inches): length: 181.0, width: 70.7, height: 58.1, wheelbase: 105.7
Engines: 1.8-liter naturally aspirated inline-four with 138 horsepower and 125 pound-feet of torque; 1.4-liter turbocharged four with 138 hp and 148 lb-ft; six-speed manual and automatic transmissions available
Fuel economy: 40 mpg for Eco models
Available features: Bluetooth, USB connectivity, OnStar support
2012 Ford Focus
Dimensions (inches): length: 179, width: 72, height: 58, wheelbase: 104
Engines: 2.0-liter naturally aspirated inline-four with 155 horsepower, 145 pound-feet of torque, mated to a five-speed manual or six-speed dual-clutch automatic; 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four reportedly in the works with 240-plus hp and a six-speed manual
Fuel economy: 40 mpg highway targeted for base 2.0-liter model
Available features: SYNC, active park assist, navigation
What is the best new $16,000 sedan?
06-16-10, 02:02 PM
#5
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
I was the first to vote and went with the focus as well. Its proven itself in the states and in the UK. Its a hot hatch, handles well, is reliable, and is a hoot to drive. What more could a guy want
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06-16-10, 02:30 PM
#10
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Although I would go with the focus I have to admit that Volkswagon and Chevy ( excuse me.....chevrolet) did design some nice cars for this sewgment
06-16-10, 02:43 PM
#11
Lexus Test Driver
except that the Focus won't cost $16K.
The Fiesta costs that much.
If GM also brings out the Spark and whatnot--Cruze won't stay in the "$16K" market for much longer.
Jetta also I feel like is already a $20K ish car--especially in the trim levels that Jetta buyers buy them.
The Fiesta costs that much.
If GM also brings out the Spark and whatnot--Cruze won't stay in the "$16K" market for much longer.
Jetta also I feel like is already a $20K ish car--especially in the trim levels that Jetta buyers buy them.
06-16-10, 03:04 PM
#12
Lexus Fanatic
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Ford is a much better built car that VW.
06-16-10, 05:07 PM
#14
Lexus Champion
except that the Focus won't cost $16K.
The Fiesta costs that much.
If GM also brings out the Spark and whatnot--Cruze won't stay in the "$16K" market for much longer.
Jetta also I feel like is already a $20K ish car--especially in the trim levels that Jetta buyers buy them.
The Fiesta costs that much.
If GM also brings out the Spark and whatnot--Cruze won't stay in the "$16K" market for much longer.
Jetta also I feel like is already a $20K ish car--especially in the trim levels that Jetta buyers buy them.
06-16-10, 07:21 PM
#15
Lexus Fanatic
I'm with Fay on this one.....not enough info from the article. The choice of a new car, IMO, is more than just simple numbers and dimensions.
I know the current Jetta pretty well, having reviewed or test-driven several different versions of it. But the Cruze and Focus will be all-new in a few months and (presumably) better designs than the models they replaced. The old American-market Focus was definitely a mediocre compact (base transportaton at most), and the Cobalt, though powerful in the SS version, had iffy build quality and engineering.
I saw both the Cruze and Focus on turntables at the D.C. auto show, but neither company was allowing people to get into them (or, with Ford, to even open the doors). However, from what I saw, I can state that the new American-market Focus is much different from what is currently offered. Unlike past/present Focus models, it will be much closer to Euro-market versions.
The Cruze is also, likewise, substantially different from the present Cobalt, and (from what little I saw) with better fit/finish. Some of the appeal of the new Cruze, though, especially for those who can afford it, will be stolen by the similiar-sized, extended-range Chevy (No, I won't use the term CHEVROLET
) Volt Hybrid.
I already have several CL-member review requests for the upcoming Ford Fiesta (which actually may be closer to $16,000 than the new Focus), and will also at least look at the Focus and Cruze for my own curiosity, especially if I get review requests for them.
I know the current Jetta pretty well, having reviewed or test-driven several different versions of it. But the Cruze and Focus will be all-new in a few months and (presumably) better designs than the models they replaced. The old American-market Focus was definitely a mediocre compact (base transportaton at most), and the Cobalt, though powerful in the SS version, had iffy build quality and engineering.
I saw both the Cruze and Focus on turntables at the D.C. auto show, but neither company was allowing people to get into them (or, with Ford, to even open the doors). However, from what I saw, I can state that the new American-market Focus is much different from what is currently offered. Unlike past/present Focus models, it will be much closer to Euro-market versions.
The Cruze is also, likewise, substantially different from the present Cobalt, and (from what little I saw) with better fit/finish. Some of the appeal of the new Cruze, though, especially for those who can afford it, will be stolen by the similiar-sized, extended-range Chevy (No, I won't use the term CHEVROLET
) Volt Hybrid. I already have several CL-member review requests for the upcoming Ford Fiesta (which actually may be closer to $16,000 than the new Focus), and will also at least look at the Focus and Cruze for my own curiosity, especially if I get review requests for them.
Last edited by mmarshall; 06-16-10 at 07:25 PM.