Dodge Dart, Ford Focus, Chevrolet Cruze: Which One Is Best For You?
American automakers have left the compact car market, now widely dominated by Asian brands, to focus on SUVs and pickup trucks. Was it a mistake? Many people have noticed the lack of affordable options on the market...
Consumers who are not interested in buying a Civic, a Corolla or an Elantra have no choice but to turn to used vehicles. And fortunately, domestic compacts like the Dodge Dart, the Ford Focus and the Chevrolet Cruze are often even less expensive than their Asian counterparts.
Which one should you consider? Let’s explore their strengths and weaknesses …
Dodge Dart
The Dodge Dart was sold between 2013 and 2016 and offered a choice of three four-cylinder engines; a 2-litre with 160 horsepower, a turbocharged 1.4-litre with the same power but more torque, and a 2.5-litre producing 184 horsepower. The manual and automatic transmissions each had six gears.
The Dart deserves our attention because it’s spacious, it includes a long list of equipment, its cabin is quite enjoyable and it offers a relatively sporty ride. However, it’s limited to a sedan format, its fuel consumption is not the best and its reliability disappoints. Let’s just say the Dart is more of an emotional purchase (if you are a Dodge fan, for example) than a rational one.
Ford Focus
Next, the Ford Focus has retired in late 2018 after a long career. Yet it had something for everyone four or five doors, 123 or 160 horsepower in its base version, 252 horsepower in the Focus ST, and 350 horsepower (with a bonus all-wheel drive!) in the very sporty Focus RS. And let’s not forget the electric Focus, which was more of an urban car with 185 kilometres of range.
The Focus also offered several modern commodities, its SYNC 3 multimedia system for example, but unless you find one fitted with a manual transmission, it will be a gamble. Why? Because Ford has faced major problems with its Powershift automatic transmission, one of the industry’s worst in the last ten years with Nissan’s Xtronic gearbox. Despite numerous updates, the problem was never truly solved. And the Focus is also prone to corrosion.
Chevrolet Cruze
Lastly, the Chevrolet Cruze was built for two generations, the second one spanning from 2016 to 2019. Just like the Focus, it offered sedan and hatchback configurations. A good (but sometimes noisy) turbocharged 1.4-litre engine producing 153 horsepower was standard, coupled with a six-speed manual or automatic transmission, for an average fuel consumption of 7 L/100 km. There was also a 1.6-litre diesel engine with an impressive 240 ft-lb of torque, but due to durability issues and its high cost of maintenance, we advise against it.
Let’s add that the Cruze’s interior is comfortable and fashionable, but not as polished as some competitors’ (cheap plastics), and its handling is generally good. Of course, the versatility of the hatchback version is interesting, but on the other hand, the visibility is not great.
No matter what your budget is, you should go for a certified pre-owned vehicle that has been thoroughly inspected. And if you can afford it, an extended warranty might be a worthwhile option.