Motortrend 2011 Compact Comparsion

[Mitsu3000gt]

Originally posted by heavyD


On that note what's holding the Cruize back? It's interior rivals the Focus and Elantra as the best in the segment, the exterior is handsome, and the car actually handles quite well. Price?

If interior means so much shouldn't the Civic come last every time? That interior looks worse than the last generation Civic interior. I seriously have to question if the designers used lego blocks to design that dash board.

I'd guess price is a big reason. I don't think you can get any of the competition up to $32k. I haven't seen the 2012 civic yet but the Cruze interior was worse than the 2009 Civic I drove recently. The seats suck too, which is probably a bigger deal for people who don't care about things like the power train. I just found the Cruze to be bland, without a single stand-out item to help differentiate it (much like the Corolla). Wasn't a fan of the engine either, but none of them are spectacular in this segment.

[TorqueDog]

Originally posted by Sugarphreak
I'd agree with you on both points actually, the Ford should have finished higher... I'd even go as far as first. I am not a big fan of Ford but they have been putting out some pretty good vehicles as of late.

While waiting to take a new F150 Lariat w/ EcoBoost out for a test drive (which was absolutely spectacular, by the way), I noticed there was a loaded Taurus SEL FWD sitting in the showroom, so I went and sat in it.

Ho... ly... sheeeeit. Gorgeous car. I loved it. It wasn't even the Limited, and it didn't matter. Just a spectacular vehicle on the inside. Didn't get to drive one unfortunately, but just a really thoughtfully designed vehicle. For $38k, there wasn't really anything else on the market that could come remotely close to it.

[Sugarphreak]

...

[A790]

Originally posted by C4S
Surprise to see Forte is the second last .. they look nice!

The Forte makes a lot of compromises.

[Mitsu3000gt]

Originally posted by TorqueDog
While waiting to take a new F150 Lariat w/ EcoBoost out for a test drive (which was absolutely spectacular, by the way), I noticed there was a loaded Taurus SEL FWD sitting in the showroom, so I went and sat in it.

Ho... ly... sheeeeit. Gorgeous car. I loved it. It wasn't even the Limited, and it didn't matter. Just a spectacular vehicle on the inside. Didn't get to drive one unfortunately, but just a really thoughtfully designed vehicle. For $38k, there wasn't really anything else on the market that could come remotely close to it.

Really? It's average at best IMO. It's slow & extremely heavy (over 4,000 lbs), underpowered for it's weight, and based on old Volvo architecture. I've also read there is no headroom for anyone over 5'10", which for a car of it's size is strange. Interior is nothing special, at best on-par with competition. I'm sure it's a comfortable drive for 4 adults, but so is just about everything else in that segment.

A SEL with a few options is $44,000 and you can get far nicer cars for that (IMO).

A Limited (non-SHO) Taurus with some options is $54,000. You can get a loaded G35X for that or a brand new BMW 5 series for a couple grand more (528i is faster, too).

Maybe I'm alone on this one but I find the Taurus extremely underwhelming, and I like some of Ford's other products (Focus, F150). I hardly see any on the road either.

Old Ford Five Hundred customers might move up, but I don't think the Taurus will steal any customers from Honda, Toyota, VW, etc.

[corsvette]

The top three sales leaders are very close. Outside of what the media tests say this is what people are buying.

C-segment
Chevrolet Cruze: 22,711
Ford Focus: 22,303
Hyundai Elantra: 20,006
Honda Civic: 18,341
Toyota Corolla: 16,985
VW Jetta: 16,671
Mazda3: 8,789
Kia Forte: 8,129
Nissan Sentra: 7,698
Dodge Caliber: 4,002
Scion tC: 2,664
Subaru Impreza: 2,610
Scion xB: 1,178
Suzuki SX-4: 1,112
Scion xD: 854

Link to article of current May sales

http://autonewsandcommentary.blogspo...car-sales.html

I never did get a chance to drive the new Focus, i wish it was out when we were shopping small cars, it looks great in and out. Like someone said earlier it takes more than a jazzy dash to make a good car, when i drove the Hyundai after driving the Cruze it felt less refined and much louder. The Cruze may not be a drivers car (it does need more power imo) but it sure does ride, feel, and drive like a more expensive car.

[Mitsu3000gt]

Do those numbers include fleet sales?

[treg50]

Originally posted by corsvette
The top three sales leaders are very close. Outside of what the media tests say this is what people are buying.

C-segment
Chevrolet Cruze: 22,711
Ford Focus: 22,303
Hyundai Elantra: 20,006
Honda Civic: 18,341
Toyota Corolla: 16,985
VW Jetta: 16,671
Mazda3: 8,789
Kia Forte: 8,129
Nissan Sentra: 7,698
Dodge Caliber: 4,002
Scion tC: 2,664
Subaru Impreza: 2,610
Scion xB: 1,178
Suzuki SX-4: 1,112
Scion xD: 854

Link to article of current May sales

http://autonewsandcommentary.blogspo...car-sales.html

I never did get a chance to drive the new Focus, i wish it was out when we were shopping small cars, it looks great in and out. Like someone said earlier it takes more than a jazzy dash to make a good car, when i drove the Hyundai after driving the Cruze it felt less refined and much louder. The Cruze may not be a drivers car (it does need more power imo) but it sure does ride, feel, and drive like a more expensive car.

It's even pretty nice to look. I saw a white Cruze in RS and I have to say it looked pretty hot.

[Aleks]

Those must be USA sales.

These are Canadian ones for April:

Honda Civic (5,224 sold)
Toyota Corolla (4,914)
Hyundai Elantra (4,552)
Mazda3 (4,350)
Chevrolet Cruze (4,015)
Volkswagen Jetta (3,058)
Hyundai Accent (2,406)
Hyundai Sonata (2,362)
Ford Focus (1,873)
Ford Fusion (1,751).

[94boosted]

Originally posted by corsvette
The top three sales leaders are very close. Outside of what the media tests say this is what people are buying.

C-segment
Chevrolet Cruze: 22,711
Ford Focus: 22,303
Hyundai Elantra: 20,006
Honda Civic: 18,341
Toyota Corolla: 16,985
VW Jetta: 16,671
Mazda3: 8,789
Kia Forte: 8,129
Nissan Sentra: 7,698
Dodge Caliber: 4,002
Scion tC: 2,664
Subaru Impreza: 2,610
Scion xB: 1,178
Suzuki SX-4: 1,112
Scion xD: 854

Link to article of current May sales

http://autonewsandcommentary.blogspo...car-sales.html

I never did get a chance to drive the new Focus, i wish it was out when we were shopping small cars, it looks great in and out. Like someone said earlier it takes more than a jazzy dash to make a good car, when i drove the Hyundai after driving the Cruze it felt less refined and much louder. The Cruze may not be a drivers car (it does need more power imo) but it sure does ride, feel, and drive like a more expensive car.

Originally posted by Aleks
Those must be USA sales.

These are Canadian ones for April:

Honda Civic (5,224 sold)
Toyota Corolla (4,914)
Hyundai Elantra (4,552)
Mazda3 (4,350)
Chevrolet Cruze (4,015)
Volkswagen Jetta (3,058)
Hyundai Accent (2,406)
Hyundai Sonata (2,362)
Ford Focus (1,873)
Ford Fusion (1,751).

WTF is wrong with Canadian car buyers

[Aleks]

Here are USA sales by segment just for fun


Regal 4,247
TSX 1,751 -32.4%
A3 664 +33.9%
CT- 454
1series 414 -50.9%

3series 8,117 -16%
Cclass 4,936 -3%
LaCrosse 4,774 -12.4%
CTS 4,288 +22.9%
A4 3,192 +.1% . A5 1,438 -18.2%
G sedan 2,684 -20.4%; coupe 1,167 -16.9%
MKZ 2,523 +23.7%
ES 2,400 -49.2%
TL 2,197 -18.6%
IS 1,715 -42.8%
HS 220

Eclass 5,751 +5%
5series 4,201 +83.5%
MKS 908 -41.6%
M 721 -32.3%
A6=470
GS 306 -57%
STS 142 -67.8%
RL 58 -58.4%

7series 1,386 +122.1%
Sclass 872 -19.6%
Porsche Panamera - 616
LS 585 -32.9%
A8-495
Hyundai Equus - 221


TownCar 1,223 +9%
DTS 1,496 -33.9%


x3 2,350 +228.7%
Q5, 2,222 +9.1%
GLK 2,214 +22.1%
RDX 1,042 -25.4%
EX 441 -35.7%

RX 5,847 -30.5%
Enclave 4,323 -8.3%
SRX 3,910 -4.2%
MDX 3,824 +1.9%
x5 2,684 +.9%
Mclass 1,928 -14.8%
MKX 1,734 +1.7%
GX 635 -51.3%
FX 597 -30.6%

X6 570 +22.3%
ZDX 128 -54.5%

Fiesta 7,120
Fit 5,921 +46.3%
Versa 4,793 -51.3%
Aveo 4,538 +16.7%
Rio 2,519
Golf 1,761 +23.1%
Yaris 1,690 -56.4%
Accent 1,529
2 1,142
SX4 1,112 +26%

Cruze 22,711
Focus 22,303 +31.7%
Elantra 20,006
Civic 18,341 -30.2%
Corolla 16,985 -31.7%
Jetta-16,671
3 8,789 -23.8%
Forte 8,129
Sentra 7,698 -14.2%
Caliber 4,002 -47%
Impreza 2,610 -38.6%

Malibu 25,600 +17.9%
Altima 25,525 +16.3%
Fusion 24,666 +10.2%
Sonata 22,754
Camry 18,830 -30.4%
Accord 18,185 -34.5%
Optima 7,431
Avenger 5,543 -12%
Legacy 3,618 +.9%
200 1,759
6 1,639 -53.1%
Kizashi 622 +31%

Impala 16,707 -19%
Charger 7,830 -19%
Taurus 6,277 -2.9%
Maxima 4,296 -32.3%
300 2,539 -28%
Avalon 2,113 -24.4%
Equus 221
Azera 160

Camaro 9,451 +5.8%
Mustang 6,607 -35.4%
Challenger 3,418 -11%
Genesis 2,769
370z 847 -20.4%

OutBack 8,431 +10.5%
Venza 3,207 -24.9%
Accord CrossTour 1,167 -43.6%

Prius 6,924 -47.4%
CR-Z 1,557
Insight 1,435 -18.7%
LEAF 1,142
Volt 481
CT 454


Escape 23,140 +20.5%
Equinox 17,587 +33.9%
CR-V 16,307 -.9%
Rav4 8,624 -28.7%
Rogue 6,962 -20.8%
Forester 5,193 -34.9%
Sportage 4,550
Tucson 4,363
Tiguan 3,091 +57.8%
CX-7 1,961 -22%
Grand Vitara 378 0%

Explorer 13,318 +134.6%
Sorento 11,936
Edge 9,486 -30.6%
Pilot 8,560 -5.7%
Traverse 7,206 -38.1%
SantaFe 6,671
HighLander 5,755 -6.8%
Journey 3,706 -2%
Murano 3,384 -31.6%
CX-9 1,795 -28.7%
Veracruz 741
Touareg 581 +106.8%
Tribeca 184 -18.6%

Soul 11,157
Cube 1,502 -34.6%
Element 1,367 +7.5%
xB 1,178 -32.1%

Odyssey 9,428 +5.5%
Caravan 9,427 0%
Sienna 8,618 -12.5%
Town & Country 6,629 -51%
Flex 2,719 -29.5%
Sedona 2,453
5 1,628 +14.3%
Routan 1,427 -23.3%
Quest 873 +7,175%
Rclass 873 +273%

[corsvette]

^^^ I'm Very surprised at the Mustang sales....down 35% @ 6,607 units sold while the Camaro is up nearly 6% at 9,451 sold. I thought for sure the Mustang would be kicking ass this year with the new engines and all, while the Camaro brings only a convertible model new this year.

[heavyD]

Originally posted by corsvette
^^^ I'm Very surprised at the Mustang sales....down 35% @ 6,607 units sold while the Camaro is up nearly 6% at 9,451 sold. I thought for sure the Mustang would be kicking ass this year with the new engines and all, while the Camaro brings only a convertible model new this year.

Nothing new as Camaro has been outselling the Mustang for a while now. I don't think Canadians can realize just how many Mustangs are on the roads in the US. They are so common and with no competition for years everyone has one. The Camaro is new and fresh compared to the current Mustang design that has been around for a while.

Couple of notes I take from those sales numbers is that Japanese carmakers are hurting wether it be from reduced volume from the Japan crisis or just the general trend before the crisis. Also I can see why Mazda may axe the 6. BMW sales taking a hit as well throughout the model line. Also I'm astounded that people in the US actually by the Sentra in respectable numbers.

[Mitsu3000gt]

Do those numbers include fleet sales, or not? If so, I would think that would skew things significantly for a few models.

[heavyD]

Originally posted by Mitsu3000gt
Do those numbers include fleet sales, or not? If so, I would think that would skew things significantly for a few models.

I don't think it's a big deal. The rental business uses a lot more Japanese cars compared to a decade ago. The trend back to domestics started a few years ago and as long as they keep improving their quality they should get a lot of their old market share back. IMO the Japanese are losing just as many sales to the Koreans as they are to domestics. Hyundai's may one day become the Asian sales king for automobiles as Toyota is on the decline, Honda's treading water, and Nissan is well Nissan.

[treg50]

Originally posted by 94boosted
WTF is wrong with Canadian car buyers

Haha but seriously. Canadians > Americans, yes?

Don't forget we're talking about comparing us to Americans

[Fiddy Yen]

Originally posted by dimi

From the pictures the Hyundai looks the best. However, go sit in everyone and touch all the parts one would normally touch... the steering wheel, climate controls, stereo, door handle, etc... Honda does an excellent job of concentrating on the key touch points on their vehicles compared to its competition.

[heavyD]

Originally posted by Fiddy Yen


From the pictures the Hyundai looks the best. However, go sit in everyone and touch all the parts one would normally touch... the steering wheel, climate controls, stereo, door handle, etc... Honda does an excellent job of concentrating on the key touch points on their vehicles compared to its competition.

Yeah those hard plastic buttons in the Civic feel a lot different than the hard plastic buttons in the rest of the segment. You know if you go into it with the mindset that Honda is superior they could put a Chrysler interior in their car and you would still come out feeling it's a quality interior. That's the problem with convincing yourself before hand that it's a better product. I spent a lot of time in the last gen civic and I wasn't fooled by the average quality of the interior. Although I haven't sat in a 2012 it looks from pictures that they cut costs much like Toyota has (and stated so much) to go to cheaper materials to lower costs. Lets call a spade a spade. Honda has joined the Impreza, Sentra, Caliber, and Lancer as lowest rent interiors in the segment but at least the other cars are at the end of their cycles.

[Muji]

The more simple the interior the better IMO, all that plastic sun reflecting crap can go in the trash. For this reason I take the Honda, I am partial to the better designed German interiors though, like the Audis of a generation ago.

[heavyD]

Originally posted by Muji
The more simple the interior the better IMO, all that plastic sun reflecting crap can go in the trash. For this reason I take the Honda, I am partial to the better designed German interiors though, like the Audis of a generation ago.

If that's the case the Toyota should be hands down your favorite. 3 rotary dials and for climate control, one radio with integrated buttons and one instrument cluster. I count 2 instrument clusters on the Honda and 11 buttons for the climate control and the radio buttons are spread out everywhere.