Skip to main content

Best compact cars for 2011: A side-by-side comparison

2012-Ford-Focus-silver-red
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Not everyone can afford a Lexus. In fact, for most car buyers, the payments on an entry-level car like the Ford Fiesta or the upcoming Chevy Sonic are much more palatable. Yet, those small cars do not provide enough cargo space. The next step up – vehicles like the new Ford Focus and the Chevy Cruze – are more realistic for anyone who has kids, need to drive long distances in a daily commute, or just want a few extra amenities beyond the climate controls and a stock radio. Interestingly, these affordable cars go way beyond the basics – some even include self-parking features, turn-by-turn navigation, and several other hidden surprises. But which one is really the ultimate winner of the bunch?

We stacked category leaders including the Ford Focus, Chevrolet Cruze, Hyundai Elantra and Honda Civic side by side to see what each brings to the table in this competitive and value-packed market.

Recommended Videos

2012 Ford Focus, $18,200

2012-Ford-Focus-red-front
Image used with permission by copyright holder

We wrote about the 2012 Ford Focus in an early sneak peak several months ago. Most of our findings have not changed too much, but we will say that the Focus is by far the most technically advanced of the round-up. There are trim levels that include a self-parking feature (you push a button and the car will parallel park for you), a touchscreen interface for controlling climate and the radio, and even an in-car wireless system that can share the signal from your own 3G USB modem over Wi-Fi. The Focus actually has two USB ports, so you can use one for the USB stick and one for your MP3 player.

The Focus is the only vehicle in our round-up that has blind-spot detection as a standard offering. It means you’ll see a warning in the side mirror if there is a car in the next lane. Also, the Focus is unique in offering sensors (forward and reverse) that warn you about any potential fender-benders. There’s also a unique key entry system that you can use to program the vehicle for specific drivers. For example, you can set a chime to ring for a teen driver when they go over 60MPH, or to limit the top speed. You can even set the radio so the music can only be played at a certain volume level.

2012-Ford-Focus-red-rear
Image used with permission by copyright holder

In terms of driving impressions, the Focus uses a new torque vectoring system that makes cornering a bit smoother. (Stiffness in cornering is a hallmark of affordable cars, and one of the main reasons people often move up to a higher-priced full-sized sedan like the Chevy Impala.) It’s also worth noting that, while our driving impression originally was that the 160-horsepower engine felt underpowered on California roadways and in thick traffic, it’s quite a bit sportier than the 138-horsepower Cruze.

Meanwhile, only the Focus offers a capless fuel filler system as a standard feature on all trim levels, which is a bit surprising for an affordable sedan, but more common on upper-end vehicles including crossovers and full-size SUVs. That said, the Focus loses some points in terms of fuel economy (just 36mpg for the manual transmission compared to above 40mpg for the Cruze and Civic). Another ding: the Focus does not feel nearly as roomy as the Cruze, which has more passenger and cargo space.

2012-Ford-Focus-interior
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The extra tech features come at a price, though. As we mentioned in our review, the Focus S costs just $18,790 for the version with a manual transmission and none of the extra tech features like self-park. The high-end Titanium version costs $26,000 for all the extras – a lot for a small car.

Verdict: The Ford Focus in the small car you want if you’re mostly interested in tech advancements. You’ll love Ford Sync voice recognition (it actually works) and the vivid touchscreen.

2011 Chevrolet Cruze, $16,525

2011-Chevrolet-Cruze-front
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Chevy made some dramatic changes in its line-up for the 2009 model year, and one of them was to ditch the Cobalt brand and introduce the Cruze. The 2011 model comes in several trim levels, starting with the Eco version that costs $16,525, up to the LTZ version that starts at $22,225.

The Cruze is not even in the same ballpark, though, in terms of tech features compared to the Focus. There is no version that offers a touchscreen with navigation and climate control. And, there are no sensors for alerting you when you get too close to a Mercedes in a parking lot. Only the Ford Focus offers Wi-Fi in the car for sharing a 3G signal and a self-park feature in the upper trim levels.

2011-Chevrolet-Cruze-rear
Image used with permission by copyright holder

What you do get with the Cruze is better fuel economy. In the Eco version we tested all the way from Chicago to Fargo, the mpg rating hovered right around the stated 42mpg, which is best-in-class unless you count the “green” versions of the Civic (and we do, by the way). Chevy has also outdone the competition in terms of standard safety features. The Cruze is the safest of the bunch with ten airbags and a five-star crash test rating. According to the NHTSA, the Cruze is a top safety pick.

In some trim levels, the Cruze offers a nine-speaker Pioneer sound system that is best-in-class. In our tests, the ride was comfortable and quiet but not as sporty as the Hyundai Elantra. The 138-horsepower engine felt underpowered at times, which is why we recommend the Eco version because you get more control over the gears and can speed up quickly in a pinch. Still, if you crave a bit of “wow” factor in acceleration and passing, go with something like the new 2012 Volkswagen CC R-Line.

2011-Chevrolet-Cruze-interior
Image used with permission by copyright holder

That said, the Cruze does offer OnStar service for navigation (when you get directions, they appear on a text display), crash support after an accident, and concierge service for a reasonable fee.

Verdict: The Chevy Cruze gets the nod for fuel economy and roominess, but loses out in terms of tech features and a sporty drive – the Elantra is a better pick for zipping around town.

2011 Hyundai Elantra, $14,945

2011-Hyundai-Elantra-blue-front
Image used with permission by copyright holder

For a rather jaw-dropping price, the Hyundai Elantra offers an impressive driving experience overall. It’s sportier than the Focus or the Cruze in terms of cornering and quick acceleration with a powerful 148-horsepower engine, at least for an entry-level car. Yet, the Elantra is also the least technology-laden of the bunch and has few extra amenities – it is designed to be wholly economical.

2011-Hyundai-Elantra-blue-rear
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Interestingly, while the Elantra comes in third-place for fuel economy with 40mpg behind the Civic and the Cruze, it achieves that rating using an automatic transmission and a standard gas engine. And, for both the GLS and Limited models, the flashy design is arguably the most distinct of the bunch. During our week-long test, the Elantra stood out most in the crowd. There’s a gentle slope to the vehicle from front to back, almost like the BMW 5-Series we tested not long ago. In many ways, the Elantra has a luxury sedan look (only at a much smaller size) that the Cruze and Focus lack.

2011-Hyundai-Elantra-interior
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Elantra comes standard with a few tech offerings, but none of them compete with the Ford Focus. You do get the ability to sync your phone and play Bluetooth streaming audio. There isn’t a touchscreen, navigation system, Wi-Fi for sharing a 3G signal, or any self-parking features. In the Limited version, there is a six-speaker audio system but it can’t compete with Cruze’s nine-speaker stereo. In terms of safety, the Elantra has six airbags compared to the 10 used on the Chevy Cruze.

Verdict: The Elantra is a fun car to drive and costs about $1,500 less than the Eco version of the Cruze. You won’t get nearly as many tech features, though.

2012 Honda Civic, $15,805

2012-Honda-Civic-si-front
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The real story behind the 2012 Honda Civic is that there are six trim levels including a Hybrid gas-electric, and a version that runs on natural gas. There’s an Si version that comes in a two-door and foor-door version. Most notably, there’s the Civic HF (High Fuel Economy) version that somehow gets 41mpg on the highway with an automatic transmission, the highest in the affordable car round-up — not including the Cruze Eco with a manual transmission. The Civic Hybrid gets 44mpg, which is astounding.

Honda achieved these higher fuel economy ratings by making the Civic lower in height and more aerodynamic – the car is just 56.6 inches tall or about two inches shorter than the Cruze. The new Civic has a distinct slope, especially in the front, compared to previous models. We tested the 2012 model at a dealership and the handling felt a bit stiff compared to the competition. Interestingly, while the 140-horsepower engine should be ready for zipping quickly in and out of traffic, we felt the more Elantra was faster from a standing position and the Focus handled much better around corners.

2012-Honda-Civic-si-rear
Image used with permission by copyright holder

So, other than the plethora of trim levels and the good fuel economy, is the Civic a major contender against other affordable cars? Well, this is a Honda. This particular version has rated highest in consumer satisfaction and overall quality ratings for the past several decades. It’s also important to note that the base Civic version, the DX, costs about $600 less than the entry-level Cruze Eco and $2,000 less than the base-level Ford Focus. That said, prices go skyward quickly: the EX version costs $22,005.

2012-Honda-Civic-interior
Image used with permission by copyright holder

In terms of tech features, most of what you will find on the Civic is actually related to the engine, not any exceptional Wi-Fi features (it doesn’t have any) or an expansive touchscreen. There are small amenities that reminded us of the things you will find on a Lexus, like a meter that shows when the variable transmission has added more punch in upper gears. There are also lights that come up to show you that you are driving economically, similar to the Eco indicators on many Nissan cars.

Verdict: The Civic can’t beat the Focus for tech features, comes in a hair under the Cruze Eco in fuel economy, and can’t beat the Elantra for acceleration and handling. Yet, this model is a clear winner in terms of trim options, including a Hybrid and a highly unique natural Gas version.

John Brandon
Former Digital Trends Contributor
The week in EV tech: From sky-high dreams to ground-level drama
tesla robotaxi feud alef in transition flight

Welcome to Digital Trends’ weekly recap of the revolutionary technology powering, connecting, and now driving next-gen electric vehicles. 
Buckle up, folks — this week we’re taking off with a look at the futuristic dream of flying electric cars possibly gliding above U.S. roads sooner than you think. But before we get carried away, let’s bring it back down to the bumpy road of present-day realities.
Even if you’re mostly interested about the tech powering the electric vehicle (EV) revolution, it’s become increasingly hard to avoid the politics around it: You guessed it, we’re talking about this week’s public feud between Tesla CEO Elon Musk and U.S. President Donald Trump.
What does this have to do with EV tech? Well, quite a lot actually. For starters, the technology behind Tesla’s Autopilot and Full-Self Driving (FSD) modes may return in the crosshairs of regulators: Despite the names, these are still driver-assist features that require active driver supervision, and until Trump’s election, they had been under heavy scrutiny by safety regulators for several years.
Last year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration  (NHTSA) launched an investigation into 2.4 million Tesla vehicles equipped with FSD. Big questions remain about the driver-assist system's performance under adverse, yet naturally-occurring conditions such as fog, sun glare, rain, and snow.
When Musk, who spent about $275 million to help elect Trump, was appointed to head a newly-created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), it raised more than a few eyebrows about his power and influence over the regulators who are supposed to oversee traffic safety, and therefore Tesla.
It didn’t help that the Trump administration followed Musk’s recommendations and relaxed crash-reporting requirements put in place since 2021, while also relaxing rules to accelerate the deployment of fully-automated robotaxis.
The Trump/Musk clash takes place just as Tesla is due to launch its robotaxi pilot progam in Texas later this month. While Trump is now threatening to pull billions of dollars in government subsidies and contracts from Musk’s companies, it’s unclear whether he might pressure the Department of Transportation to again tighten the regulatory screws on Tesla. What is clear is that Trump has never been a fan of electric vehicles and is already trying to end federal subsidies on EV purchases and leases. And while he had made a big deal about buying a bright red Tesla Model S back in March, Trump now says he wants to sell it.
Back to the tech
Meanwhile, Tesla is still required to respond to information and data requests from NHTSA regarding the safety of its robotaxis by July 1. And ultimately, it should come down to the performance of the technology.
For Autopilot and FSD, Tesla has opted for less expensive navigational tech relying on multiple onboard cameras that feed AI machine-learning models. But especially for so-called adverse driving conditions, it’s the more expensive technology relying on a blend of pre-mapped roads, sensors, cameras, radar, and lidar (a laser-light radar) which has received the nod of regulators.
Waymo, the sole robotaxi service currently operating in the U.S., and Zoox, Amazon’s upcoming robotaxi service, both use that blend of navigational tech.
For its robotaxis, Tesla is said to have upped its game in terms of autonomous driving with its Hardware 4 (HW4) technology, which does include radar sensors and promises enhanced environmental perception.
Will that be enough for Tesla to convince regulators, catch up with Waymo, or compete effectively with Zoox?
We’ll have to wait and see.
Flying cars
In a recent edition, we noted that while consumer confidence about robotaxi technology is on the rise, most people also want more data before they hop into a self-driving vehicle.
What about flying taxis? According to a recent survey by Honeywell, nearly all U.S. airline fliers, or 98%, said they would consider using a so-called electric vertical take-off and landing vehicle, or eVTOL, as part of their travel journey.
But while the buzz around flying electric vehicles has mostly focused on air taxis— like Archer Aviation’s Midnight, expected to fly athletes around the 2028 LA Olympics, or Joby’s slick air taxi, backed by Toyota — one California startup is shooting for something a little more... driveable.
Meet Alef Aeronautics, a Bay Area company that wants to put the “car” back in “flying car.” This week, Alef announced it has received over 3,400 pre-orders for its electric flying vehicle, the Model A — and get this: it’s not a futuristic prototype gathering dust in a lab. Alef says production could begin by the end of 2025, or early next year.
On the ground, the Model A operates like a low-speed electric car, complete with hub motors in the wheels and—wait for it—a real steering wheel. You can legally drive it at up to 25 mph on public roads, parking it in a normal garage like any other EV. It’s refreshingly manual in an increasingly hands-free world.
But when it's time for lift off, the steering wheel takes a backseat. For vertical takeoff and flight, the Model A transforms into a drone-like aircraft. Its cabin rotates sideways to create lift, and eight electric rotors—controlled by a flight system and joysticks—take over. No pedals, no yoke, just a bit of joystick magic (or autopilot, if you prefer).
The Model A has already received the nod from regulators for test flights.
While the $300,000 price tag won’t fit everyone’s budget, the company is clearly betting on a future where you don’t have to choose between a car and a flying machine—you can have both.

Read more
8 key things you need to know from Apple’s WWDC 2025 event
From a fresh look and updated names, to new features, more intelligence and live translation
iOS 26, iPadOS 26 and macOS 26 shown on devices.

The WWDC 2025 keynote ran for just over an hour and a half. For those of you who don't fancy sitting through the whole presentation, we've pulled out the key things you need to know from the latest Apple event.

1. Welcome to the 26 club

Read more
Tesla’s robotaxi service is almost here, but it’s not the car you want to see
Silver Tesla Model Y Juniper side

Tesla chief Elon Musk has said that the automaker is aiming to launch its robotaxi service on June 22, in Austin, Texas.

“Tentatively, June 22,” Musk said in a post on X on Tuesday, adding: “We are being super paranoid about safety, so the date could shift.”

Read more