Poll: Chevy Cruze or Hyundai Elantra?

Craig Cole
by Craig Cole

Which compact car do YOU prefer, the Chevy Cruze or Hyundai Elantra? Vote in our latest poll!

Redesigned for 2016, the new Chevy Cruze is about 250 pounds lighter than its predecessor, which is an astounding achievement for a compact car. This reduction pays major dividends, helping improve both performance and efficiency.

This bow-tie offering is motivated by a standard 1.4-liter turbocharged gasoline engine. With direct injection it musters an impressive 153 horsepower and 177 lb-ft torque. Drivers can choose between a manual or automatic transmission, both of which have six forward speeds.

Stop-start technology boosts the MPG, helping this car return up to 40 miles per gallon on the highway. Despite its efficiency, the Cruze is still plenty potent, hitting 60 miles an hour in as little as 7.7 seconds.

Keeping technophiles happy, both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are offered, as is a range of advanced driver-assistance systems. Things like blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist and forward collision warning are available.

Not to be outdone, Hyundai’s Elantra sedan offers much of the same technology, from pedestrian detection to rear cross-traffic alert to lane-keep assist and more. As you’d expect, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are both on the options menu.

The standard engine in this car is a 2.0-liter Atkinson cycle four-cylinder unit that delivers 147 horses and 132 lb-ft of twist. A 1.4-liter turbo is also offered, which sees duty in Eco versions of the Elantra.

When equipped with a six-speed automatic gearbox (a manual with the same number of ratios is also available) this economical Hyundai stickers at 28 miles per gallon city, 37 highway and 32 MPG combined.

Both of these compact cars are winners in the segment, offering loads of technology, sophistication and cutting-edge technology. Which one do YOU prefer? Feel free to compare them directly here and don’t forget to vote down below!

Craig Cole
Craig Cole

Born and raised in metro Detroit, Craig was steeped in mechanics from childhood. He feels as much at home with a wrench or welding gun in his hand as he does behind the wheel or in front of a camera. Putting his Bachelor's Degree in Journalism to good use, he's always pumping out videos, reviews, and features for AutoGuide.com. When the workday is over, he can be found out driving his fully restored 1936 Ford V8 sedan. Craig has covered the automotive industry full time for more than 10 years and is a member of the Automotive Press Association (APA) and Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA).

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  • Chuck Chuck on Oct 04, 2016

    The Cruze is a better car but not being able to turn off Start/Stop is a deal breaker

  • Swilliams41 Swilliams41 on Oct 10, 2016

    The Cruze drives above its class, Quiet, fairly fast, economical and good telematics, even in lower trims. Elantra is good but not as refined or substantial feeling.

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