Motortrend 40 MPG Compact Sedan Comparison - All smile zoom zoom wins

[alanbrenton]

So Mazda's ActivSky technology does make a lot of difference huh? Not sure whether these specific models are available in Canada though.

Too bad the test cars were all automatics, except for the Cruze.

Price as Tested in the USA (so add 20% to get to Canadian pricing?):
2012 Chevrolet Cruze Eco $20,120
2012 Ford Focus SFE $20,285
2012 Honda Civic HF $20,395
2012 Hyundai Elantra GLS $18,370
2012 Mazda3 $24,945
2012 Volkswagen Jetta TDI $27,215

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/1208_40_mpg_compact_sedan_comparison/viewall.html

[chickenbones]

Yea at $6600 more than the elantra and almost 5 grand over the rest of the cars except for Jetta is it reall a win??

Plus it had one of the worst actual milleage: 38.6 basically a tie for second last place.

So in summary, cost $5k more, achieves second last fuel milleage = ? Winner of the fuel efficiency comparison!!!



So Mazda's ActivSky technology does make a lot of difference huh? Not sure whether these specific models are available in Canada though.

Too bad the test cars were all automatics, except for the Cruze.

Price as Tested in the USA (so add 20% to get to Canadian pricing?):
2012 Chevrolet Cruze Eco $20,120
2012 Ford Focus SFE $20,285
2012 Honda Civic HF $20,395
2012 Hyundai Elantra GLS $18,370
2012 Mazda3 $24,945
2012 Volkswagen Jetta TDI $27,215

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/1208_40_mpg_compact_sedan_comparison/viewall.html

[alanbrenton]

Yea at $6600 more than the elantra and almost 5 grand over the rest of the cars except for Jetta is it reall a win??

Plus it had one of the worst actual milleage: 38.6 basically a tie for second last place.

So in summary, cost $5k more, achieves second last fuel milleage = ? Winner of the fuel efficiency comparison!!!

I think it's winner of the fun to drive in the 40MPG segment. I also checked mazda.ca just a few moments ago and the Mazda3 with SA is listed for about $20k. Not sure why the tester vehicle cost Motortrend $25k though. Maybe it had a turbo charger installed? :)

Why would an automotive journal compare just fuel economy when we have websites to compare that (government sites and fueltally or something to that effect)? :)

[chickenbones]

Well I think in the compact car segment fuel economy and price is the most important factor. I don't know why MT chose a well equiped mazda against base trims of other brands.

Looks like the Mazda even had leather seats. Basicaly fullly loaded vs. bare bones. That's so biased.

MT is just paid advertising. I think the ranking is based on the amount of $$$ spent by each manufacture.


I think it's winner of the fun to drive in the 40MPG segment. I also checked mazda.ca just a few moments ago and the Mazda3 with SA is listed for about $20k. Not sure why the tester vehicle cost Motortrend $25k though. Maybe it had a turbo charger installed? :)

Why would an automotive journal compare just fuel economy when we have websites to compare that (government sites and fueltally or something to that effect)? :)

[alanbrenton]

Well I think in the compact car segment fuel economy and price is the most important factor. I don't know why MT chose a well equiped mazda against base trims of other brands.

Looks like the Mazda even had leather seats. Basicaly fullly loaded vs. bare bones. That's so biased.

MT is just paid advertising. I think the ranking is based on the amount of $$$ spent by each manufacture.

What you said could be true. Still surprised mileage while driving in California was close to TDI's. Not sure whether they took off 10% of the TDI's mileage (which wouldn't be fair) because of the energy content of diesel vs gas.

[Maymybonneliveforever]

I'll take a stab at this and guess the VW TDI gets the best fuel ecomony in it's class the same as the Cruze would which is why they choose it. I didn't read the link so I maybe way off but the lowest price Cruze I believe goes for around $16,****

[alanbrenton]

I'll take a stab at this and guess the VW TDI gets the best fuel ecomony in it's class the same as the Cruze would which is why they choose it. I didn't read the link so I maybe way off but the lowest price Cruze I believe goes for around $16,****

Mr. Raider vouches for the Chevy Cruze. I think his wife has one while he drives the sports car in the household.

[spike1128]

Mr. Raider vouches for the Chevy Cruze. I think his wife has one while he drives the sports car in the household.

I say they are all good cars. Especially the Cruze, GM went from producing garbage to top notch car. Also Ford is good and Elantra is good too.

Only let down is the Civic.

[SAVINGSTAR]

I own a Cruze Eco and we regularly get 36mpg city in real world figures. We have a best tank of 44mpg Highway which beats the epa of 28mpg city and 42mpg highway.

I know none of those cars other then the Jetta can do that and I paid just over $20k for the car....Seems like a winner to me!

[alanbrenton]

I own a Cruze Eco and we regularly get 36mpg city in real world figures. We have a best tank of 44mpg Highway which beats the epa of 28mpg city and 42mpg highway.

I know none of those cars other then the Jetta can do that and I paid just over $20k for the car....Seems like a winner to me!

Nice! Did you like the Cruze styling when you were shopping across makes and models? GM does make some stylish cars like the Solstice but wasn't Daewoo (GM-owned) the one who designed the current Cruze? I don't like the styling but seems like it's a full-featured package you got there.

Who am I too compare, I only drive an 02 Honda Civic. LOL.

[alanbrenton]

I say they are all good cars. Especially the Cruze, GM went from producing garbage to top notch car. Also Ford is good and Elantra is good too.

Only let down is the Civic.

Honda is coming up with new engines and the CVT as per one of the comments on the article. Hopefully they can make their future cars prettier and have better handling.

What is this new Mazda 3 they are talking about, isn't this the one with SA already or will there be a more comprehensive SA technology coming out?

[Scott84]

So Mazda's ActivSky technology does make a lot of difference huh? Not sure whether these specific models are available in Canada though.

Too bad the test cars were all automatics, except for the Cruze.

Price as Tested in the USA (so add 20% to get to Canadian pricing?):
2012 Chevrolet Cruze Eco $20,120
2012 Ford Focus SFE $20,285
2012 Honda Civic HF $20,395
2012 Hyundai Elantra GLS $18,370
2012 Mazda3 $24,945
2012 Volkswagen Jetta TDI $27,215

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/1208_40_mpg_compact_sedan_comparison/viewall.html

With the difference being $4000-6000 who is to say the other car companies could have even improved Gas Mileage for their vehicles even more had they increased the price at the expense of better parts/technology.

Did it say anything about Mazda and Rust? ;) While I enjoyed driving a Mazda 3 GT (Manual Transmission) a bunch of times. My Co-workers Mazda 2 2010 has enough rust already to make me pass on any Mazda.

I bought a 2012 Elantra and enjoy it very much. While I won't call it the best. Its pretty awesome on gas compared to my old 2002 Accord SE V6 in a personal comparison. The Cruze I test drove was meh. Never been a fan of Chevy/Dodge/Chysler/GM. Ford drives so much nicer than the other american car brands.

[alanbrenton]

With the difference being $4000-6000 who is to say the other car companies could have even improved Gas Mileage for their vehicles even more had they increased the price at the expense of better parts/technology.

Did it say anything about Mazda and Rust? ;) While I enjoyed driving a Mazda 3 GT (Manual Transmission) a bunch of times. My Co-workers Mazda 2 2010 has enough rust already to make me pass on any Mazda.

I bought a 2012 Elantra and enjoy it very much. While I won't call it the best. Its pretty awesome on gas compared to my old 2002 Accord SE V6 in a personal comparison. The Cruze I test drove was meh. Never been a fan of Chevy/Dodge/Chysler/GM. Ford drives so much nicer than the other american car brands.

MT folks borrowed the highest trim Mazda 3 with SA. It's sub $20k here in Canada. I'm sure the Elantra is great too. In terms of styling, it's probably at the top of the list to me. Wow, rust on a 2010 model when I thought Mazda had fixed the issue awhile back.

[SAVINGSTAR]

Nice! Did you like the Cruze styling when you were shopping across makes and models? GM does make some stylish cars like the Solstice but wasn't Daewoo (GM-owned) the one who designed the current Cruze? I don't like the styling but seems like it's a full-featured package you got there.

Who am I too compare, I only drive an 02 Honda Civic. LOL.

We loved the styling of the car....we often have it mistaken for a Lexus....I am not going to complain if people think it's something it's not ;)

[vlad_vm]

double post

[hdave]

This is a stupid comparison IMO.
The cars are not in the same category, they do not really compare features and bang-for-your-buck really.
The normal gas Jetta should have been in there, not the TDI.
They seem to rate too heavily on "driving fun."

[alanbrenton]

We loved the styling of the car....we often have it mistaken for a Lexus....I am not going to complain if people think it's something it's not ;)

I only drive on the weekends (and have to keep my eyes on the road) and yes for some cars, they look much better in person than in photos. Could be that for the Cruze. Even the new Civic's rear end looks a bit better on the road than when compared to photos.

GM is in number one position in China and I'm sure the Cruze is one of those fuels keeping that flame well alive.

[spike1128]

Honda is coming up with new engines and the CVT as per one of the comments on the article. Hopefully they can make their future cars prettier and have better handling.

What is this new Mazda 3 they are talking about, isn't this the one with SA already or will there be a more comprehensive SA technology coming out?

Yes, I think it's the SkyActiv one they are talking about. Otherwise, the Mazda3 would be a pig with gas. Not sure why Motortrend want to talk about how fun it is to drive a Mazda3, but I know for a fact they rust like no tommorrow from the past. Just for that, I am staying away from them.

[ShadowVlican]

Lol at comparison test... MT, you're doing it wrong.

[XtremeModder]

Yes, I think it's the SkyActiv one they are talking about. Otherwise, the Mazda3 would be a pig with gas. Not sure why Motortrend want to talk about how fun it is to drive a Mazda3, but I know for a fact they rust like no tommorrow from the past. Just for that, I am staying away from them.

My gf has rust in her 2010 mazda3 (base model) already, at least it looks like a tiny spec of rust, buffer won't take it out...

[etherboy]

MT folks borrowed the highest trim Mazda 3 with SA. It's sub $20k here in Canada. I'm sure the Elantra is great too. In terms of styling, it's probably at the top of the list to me. Wow, rust on a 2010 model when I thought Mazda had fixed the issue awhile back.

The highest trim Mazda 3 is in NO way under $20k.
http://mazda.ca/MciWeb/displayPage.action?pageParameter=modelsPricing&vehicleCode=M3S

[etherboy]

I only drive on the weekends (and have to keep my eyes on the road) and yes for some cars, they look much better in person than in photos. Could be that for the Cruze. Even the new Civic's rear end looks a bit better on the road than when compared to photos.

GM is in number one position in China and I'm sure the Cruze is one of those fuels keeping that flame well alive.

Cruze is a super nice car, but the styling just seems really stuck in the past.

[alanbrenton]

The highest trim Mazda 3 is in NO way under $20k.
http://mazda.ca/MciWeb/displayPage.action?pageParameter=modelsPricing&vehicleCode=M3S

The base model with SA is below $20k.

[BluePhirePB]

They seem to rate too heavily on "driving fun."This.

I've been subscribing to Motor Trend magazine since March 2001 and all their articles place cars heavily based on their track performance. If you're an everyday Jane or Joe buying a car, you'd be buying it based on its quality, price, fuel econ and comfort. Performance ability wouldn't be as minutely important as Motor Trend's ratings. For example, I recall in a recent article from a few issues back, they ranked the Toyota Corolla last in an 8-car comparison and their main reason for putting it dead last was it was boring to drive and lacked performance capabilities. Yes, it's not exciting to drive (vs. say a Mazda 3) and isn't very fast (vs. say a Civic) but it's reliable and meets the needs of most people. That's the point of the Corolla. Simple everyday transportation. Motor Trend missed that and even questioned why the Corolla sold so well despite its boringness.

[Tornado F2]

Nice! Did you like the Cruze styling when you were shopping across makes and models? GM does make some stylish cars like the Solstice but wasn't Daewoo (GM-owned) the one who designed the current Cruze? I don't like the styling but seems like it's a full-featured package you got there.

Who am I too compare, I only drive an 02 Honda Civic. LOL.

Quite a few recent GM products seem to have had GM Daewoo as lead developer. The Chevy orlando is another. And although their advertising will likely claim otherwise, I believe the Sonic is developed from a Daewoo design too, just with "youth-centric" features incorporated to try and grab a larger share of that market.

[Tornado F2]

This.

I've been subscribing to Motor Trend magazine since March 2001 and all their articles place cars heavily based on their track performance. If you're an everyday Jane or Joe buying a car, you'd be buying it based on its quality, price, fuel econ and comfort. Performance ability wouldn't be as minutely important as Motor Trend's ratings. For example, I recall in a recent article from a few issues back, they ranked the Toyota Corolla last in an 8-car comparison and their main reason for putting it dead last was it was boring to drive and lacked performance capabilities. Yes, it's not exciting to drive (vs. say a Mazda 3) and isn't very fast (vs. say a Civic) but it's reliable and meets the needs of most people. That's the point of the Corolla. Simple everyday transportation. Motor Trend missed that and even questioned why the Corolla sold so well despite its boringness.

They're not the only car magazine like that. Not by a long shot. It's best to read magazines just for their entertainment value, not as a reliable guide to which car will truly be best. Only you can really decide that, based on feedback from friends/family, and ultimately a test drive.

[mr_raider]

Mr. Raider vouches for the Chevy Cruze. I think his wife has one while he drives the sports car in the household.

You're the first one who has referred to my IS250 as a sports car!

At any rate we have the LTZ model which does not get that kind of mileage. We are getting 23mpg (US) in mostly urban driving. For comparison, my Lexus, rated at 20/27 gets around 18mpg around town, 15 in winter.

The Eco is a special beast. It gets it's mileage only with an manual transmission, and resorts to other tricks like LRR tires, an active air dam, reduced weight (no Z Watts likage, no spare tire), etc... In short, the Eco makes our LTZ look like a an S class.

[mr_raider]

Honda is coming up with new engines and the CVT as per one of the comments on the article.

Honda knows nothing of CVTs. They can't build a decent automatic if their life depended on it (and it does). Fortunately Honda has the brains to realize that and delegated the job to the experts:

http://www.leftlanenews.com/honda-acura-to-get-zf-9-speed-automatic-by-2014.html

[alanbrenton]

Honda knows nothing of CVTs. They can't build a decent automatic if their life depended on it (and it does). Fortunately Honda has the brains to realize that and delegated the job to the experts:

http://www.leftlanenews.com/honda-acura-to-get-zf-9-speed-automatic-by-2014.html

What about its design team who says the Acura front grille will remain for years to come? Saw that headline one of the car magazine homepages :)

Found it:
http://wot.motortrend.com/get-used-to-it-acura-design-chief-says-controversial-grille-is-here-to-stay-220445.html#ixzz1yLQQqNZO

[Maymybonneliveforever]

I own a Cruze Eco and we regularly get 36mpg city in real world figures. We have a best tank of 44mpg Highway which beats the epa of 28mpg city and 42mpg highway.Thanks for the feedback, we're thinking of going to the Cruze Eco when it's time for a replacement, is there anything you don't like about the Cruze?
The Eco is a special beast. It gets it's mileage only with an manual transmission, and resorts to other tricks like LRR tires, an active air dam, reduced weight (no Z Watts likage, no spare tire), etc... In short, the Eco makes our LTZ look like a an S class.Just curious, is there really that much of a difference between the LTZ and the ECO?

[mr_raider]

Yes. Go sit in an ltz and then a cruze eco. There are many differences, beyond the leather seats. There are also differences in the suspension and brakes. If you get the eco, get the manual version. The automatic eco barely does better than any other cruze. If you don't care for the luxury features of the ltz, get an lt with the RS package.

[Maymybonneliveforever]

That deserves a "thanks" rider:

My main wants are a compromise between fuel economy and price and the eco manual seem to work with that well. I didn't however want to forgo certain luxury aspects, and didn't really care about performance. I know it's difficult to get the best of all worlds but I was hoping fuel economy, price as well as some comfort was had in the Cruze Eco.

[Kaz]

I own a Cruze Eco and we regularly get 36mpg city in real world figures. We have a best tank of 44mpg Highway which beats the epa of 28mpg city and 42mpg highway.

I know none of those cars other then the Jetta can do that and I paid just over $20k for the car....Seems like a winner to me!

I thought the newer cars got better mileage than this. :?:

My '07 Focus averages 42.5 mpg with my best tank being 47.5 mpg.

[alanbrenton]

I thought the newer cars got better mileage than this. :?:

My '07 Focus averages 42.5 mpg with my best tank being 47.5 mpg.

Hmmm. Are you using 3.8L = 1 gallon and 1 mile = 1.609 km?

at 47.5 mpg, you are getting 20 km for each liter consumed. That is very remarkable.

These are all automatics, manual versions if with the same number of gears, should do a bit better.

[Kaz]

No.

I'm using Imperial. 4.54L per gallon.
Are you using US gallons?
If so, my bad.... lol I guess that would drop me to about 34 US average.

[alanbrenton]

No.

I'm using Imperial. 4.54L per gallon.
Are you using US gallons?
If so, my bad.... lol I guess that would drop me to about 34 US average.

Hey Kaz. Yes, I'm using US gallon which is roughly 3.8 L. I even forgot the term imperial gallon.

That's still pretty darn good. My 02 Civic has about that same average 33 mpg and this is driving 110 on highways (+ everyday drive to the GO station) and before the heat wave, I did play around with a/c (as in ON/OFF).

[BluePhirePB]

They're not the only car magazine like that. Not by a long shot. It's best to read magazines just for their entertainment value, not as a reliable guide to which car will truly be best. Only you can really decide that, based on feedback from friends/family, and ultimately a test drive.I'm not surprised. Testing cars to their performance limits aside, Motor Trend IMO does offer some insightful articles. I do enjoy their annual __ of the Year comparisons, super car shootouts and long-term car updates.

[mr_raider]

That deserves a "thanks" rider:

My main wants are a compromise between fuel economy and price and the eco manual seem to work with that well. I didn't however want to forgo certain luxury aspects, and didn't really care about performance. I know it's difficult to get the best of all worlds but I was hoping fuel economy, price as well as some comfort was had in the Cruze Eco.

Get an LT turbo with convenience and connectivity package, and manual transmission. The cruze forums are full of Eco fanatics, but personally, I don't see the value proposition in it. Also the 2013s will not have the Z watts linkage in the back on LS and Lt trims (LTZ and RS only). However, you will get mylink and backaup camera as an option. Personally, I would wait until employee pricing in July/August and see what you can find. The take rate on manual non Ecos is low, so dealers may be willing to deal on any cars in stock.

Here are the official consumption numbers for all the flavors of the 1.4T turbo:

man: 7.8 / 5.2 / 6.6
man: 7.2 / 4.6 / 6.0 (Eco)
auto: 7.8 / 5.2 / 6.6 (LT & LTZ Turbo)
auto: 7.7 / 5.0 / 6.5 (Eco)

[aleks]

I really hope people don't seriously look at this and think the Mazda 3 is 6 grand more expensive than an Elantra haha.

All these are cost roughly the same. The most features you add the more money they all are. It's been proven in tests that Elantra (despite its rating) under achieves in the fuel consumption department when compared to its peers. I have no problem with the Mazda winning this. It does everything all the other cars do AND it's fun to drive. A MT is going to pick the best overall car as a winner which includes fun to drive. Obviously most people don't buy cars like that and only care about getting around hence Civic, Corolla and Elantra sell the best.

[Busybuyer888]

Nothing really to brag about.

At 20% more than some of the competition, I would hope the Mazda3 would win. $5K is a LOT of money for improvements in the compact car segment.

I personally believe in this segment fuel economy should have a VERY heavy weighting on the scores. Like 30%-40% weighting.

Buyer in this category want to save money. I personally, curse the Mazda fuel economy everytime I fill my wife's car.

I swear that it consumes 40% more fuel than my mom's Matrix. :cry:

[aleks]

Nothing really to brag about.

At 20% more than some of the competition, I would hope the Mazda3 would win. $5K is a LOT of money for improvements in the compact car segment.

I personally believe in this segment fuel economy should have a VERY heavy weighting on the scores. Like 30%-40% weighting.

Buyer in this category want to save money. I personally, curse the Mazda fuel economy everytime I fill my wife's car.

I swear that it consumes 40% more fuel than my mom's Matrix. :cry:

So you're saying if they used a loaded Elantra and a base SA Mazda 3 you'd expect the Elantra to win? I highly doubt that.

[chickenbones]

So you're saying if they used a loaded Elantra and a base SA Mazda 3 you'd expect the Elantra to win? I highly doubt that.

Well clearly Mazda is the best, but why does it sell half of the number of cars Hyundai manage to sell?

[Maymybonneliveforever]

Get an LT turbo with convenience and connectivity package, and manual transmission. Thanks again for the reply and info Raider, seems I have a lot to learn about the Cruze and it's options. I had to googl Z Watts, as well I had no idea the eco didn't come with a spare. Wooow, how much fuel econony is really saved by eliminating a spare? Seems they're really extended themselves at the sake of mpg.

[alanbrenton]

Well clearly Mazda is the best, but why does it sell half of the number of cars Hyundai manage to sell?

I think the author recommends the Mazda 3 but since that is just one model from the Mazda pool, it will not necessarily mean it will outsell Hyundai in total vehicle sales. Also, caveat emptor with these kinds of reviews.

My advance apologies if your numbers are based on Mazda3 vs. Hyundai Elantra sales comparisons.

[chickenbones]

I think the author recommends the Mazda 3 but since that is just one model from the Mazda pool, it will not necessarily mean it will outsell Hyundai in total vehicle sales. Also, caveat emptor with these kinds of reviews.

My advance apologies if your numbers are based on Mazda3 vs. Hyundai Elantra sales comparisons.

Roughly Hyundai sold 14000 cars in May, Mazda sold 7000. This is for the overall line up.

The point is, Mazda3s are not selling well compared to Honda, Toyota, Hyundai. The main reason is because the car has the worst fuel economy in its class espectially with the 2.3L engine. This suggest that most buyers in this segment is not as sensitive to driving dynamics compared to fuel efficiency.

This whole Sky activ thing is basically Mazda trying to play catch up in terms of fuel efficiency wel keeping it's fun to drive factor.

We will see how consumers respond to this new design.

Regardless of what reviewers say, the best economy car is the one that sells the most.