Best Small Cars Showdown!
2011 Hyundai Elantra vs. 2012 Ford Focus
Which is the best new small car? Both the 2012 Ford Focus and the 2011 Hyundai Elantra can make a strong claim to the title. Here's how they measure up, on cost, gas mileage, road tests, styling and interior.
By Nick Chambers
Hyundai Elantra vs. Ford Focus: Gas Mileage (MPG)
2011 Hyundai Elantra:
With an EPA-rated 29 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway, the Elantra is certainly a fuel economy champ. To reach these lofty goals, Hyundai went back to the drawing board, giving the Elantra everything from special tires, to a lightweight advanced engine, to sleek aerodynamics, to in-house designed metals that are formulated to be lighter and stronger.
2012 Ford Focus:
Although the EPA hasn't yet rated the 2012 Focus, Ford says it expects the Focus to return 40 mpg on the highway—an improvement of 18% over the current model. The Focus also features an advanced lightweight engine, automatic louvered grille shutters that reduce drag at high speeds, and a sleek shape to help it cut through the air.
And the winner is: Tie
You might say it's unfair to compare the two with incomplete data, but given that both are estimated to return 40 mpg on the highway and contain a veritable boatload of advanced technology to get there, a reasonable person might say this is an old-fashioned draw.
Related: The Most Fuel-Efficient 2011 Cars
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