Best Small Cars Showdown!
2011 Hyundai Elantra vs. 2012 Ford Focus

In the past, if you asked an American who the only solid contenders in the small car market were, chances are good he or she would rattle off a couple of well-established Japanese offerings — the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic. But, along with the threat of rising gas prices and impending stringent fuel economy regulations, manufacturers are introducing a slew of feature-laden and highly efficient models.

Perhaps you thought 30 miles per gallon was pretty good? To manufacturers of the modern small car, however, 40 miles per gallon is the new 30. Have no doubt about it, 2011 is shaping up to be the year small cars launch their assault on the American market — and it could get ugly. From the all-electric Nissan Leaf, to the venerable Volkswagen Golf, to the sporty MINI Cooper, the United States has never had so much choice in the small car world.

Within this burgeoning arena two offerings stand out from the pack, acting as the vanguard for what's to come: the 2011 Hyundai Elantra and the 2012 Ford Focus. Both vehicles are available for sale in early 2011 and feature high-end styling, ample room for their size, incredible fuel-economy, a laundry list of standard features and value-conscious pricing.

I recently had a chance to get a good amount of time behind the wheels of both. So, which one is for you? Let's put them head-to-head and find out.

Related: 7 New Electric Cars For Sale in 2011