2013 Chevy Cruze LTZ or 2014 KIA Forte EX??

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Originally Posted By: FXjohn
thanks 99saturn. I wonder what kind of mileage the non turbo gets?



depends on model. the Eco with a stick can push mid 40s....
 
Originally Posted By: daves87rs
Originally Posted By: FXjohn
thanks 99saturn. I wonder what kind of mileage the non turbo gets?



depends on model. the Eco with a stick can push mid 40s....


that's what I want. used of course. I wonder how they do in snow and black ice.
 
Our Cruze is in line with MPG estimates advertised. Actually girlfriend is the primary driver of it, gets 37 to 38 on her commute. 3 miles at 45 mph, 8 miles at 65 to 70 mph, 15 miles at (mostly) 55 mph, 20 miles 65 to 75 mph, and 2 miles local roads 20 to 30 mph.

The Eco is the 1.4 with turbo, just FYI. Ours is the 1.8, stick. It was good in the snow last year but it didn't see more than an inch or two. The stock tires on the LS get mixed reviews.
 
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I haven't driven that particular generation of Kia Forte but I have driven it's Hyundai sister.

In interior: Cruze over Kia Forte. The Elantra would edge out a Cruze by the slightest of margins. The pics I've seen of the newest Forte looks much cheaper. That doesn't come as a surprise. The Spectra had a cheaper interior than it's Elantra sister and the 1st gen Forte still had a cheaper interior than it's Elantra sister. The interior is functional on the Kia's predecessors, just cheap.

Quiet: Depends on how much of the Elantra's sound dampening made the transition to Kia. Cruze is a very solid car. Explains why it is a little on the heavy side for a compact. It is leagues ahead of the Cobalt and Cavalier that preceded it.

Build quality and reliability:
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It has been said that you can drive a GM with something broken longer than you can drive most brands.

Fun to drive: The Koreans do not have chassis tuning down yet. They do okay with the Genesis Coupe but it's no FR/S, BRZ, RX-8, 1-series, etc... The Cruze actually handles pretty well. I expect the Forte to be a little stiffer sprung than the Elantra but not really handle any better. (see Optima and Sonata) Advantage Cruze. The Forte does have a 170 something horsepower 2.0 liter engine available....that might sway it in the Forte's favor, but I think it's only on the SX model.

Forte - cheaper interior and stiffer springs in an Elantra.
Cruze - GM's first truly competitive small car

I'm going to go with the Cruze on this one
 
Originally Posted By: flinter
OK...
But have you guys actually been inside and test driven the 2014 Forte??
Im looking for opinions from guys who have extensively tested BOTH, NOT just an emotional knee jerk response.


I drove a 13 not too long ago and felt the floorboards flutter over big bumps! Haven't seen that since the 60's. If you like bells and whistles you will love a Hyundai. Absolutely the most comprehensively equipped vehicle out there for the buck. But lacking in chassis refinement for the enthusiastic driver.

But if you want something with any sort of handling and driver involvement you'll pick the Cruze. One of Chevy's best efforts recently, and holding up well for owners here.

Added: many Hyundai drivers have complained about the horsepower not being as advertised and mileage also. But the two cars are comparable in many respects, IMO the Cruze is a more solid car with a better long term outlook.
 
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I rent the Cruise from time to time. It's driving dynamics are far better than the Kia. I find it more comfortable too.

The turbo/manual looks to be a really cool car with the capability of awesome MPG.
 
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Cruze all day long and twice on Sunday. The 1.4T has more usable power than the Kia's engine, gets right on or slightly better than its EPA estimates, and handles better too.

The turbo on a Cruze is $600 and change. It's integrated into the manifold to be more compact in the engine bay and to get better thermal efficiency. For a DIY'er, the Cruze is a easy car to work on. The 1.4T is dwarfed in the engine bay and the turbo is up front if it ever needs replacing. Other things like oil changes are quite easy. And, there are a zillion Cruzes around so parts and expertise to fix the cars will be readily available even out in the middle of nowhere.
 
2013 Cruze LTZ MSRP $23,550

I can think of quite a few other choices using that M$RP as a starting point...

Cheers!
 
Originally Posted By: Norm Olt
2013 Cruze LTZ MSRP $23,550

I can think of quite a few other choices using that M$RP as a starting point...

Cheers!


I'll bite. What other choices would you pick for that price point that are as well-equipped and get similar fuel economy?
 
Originally Posted By: sciphi
Originally Posted By: Norm Olt
2013 Cruze LTZ MSRP $23,550

I can think of quite a few other choices using that M$RP as a starting point...

Cheers!


I'll bite. What other choices would you pick for that price point that are as well-equipped and get similar fuel economy?

I was going to say, and LTZ is it you can't get any more options on a Cruze.
 
Originally Posted By: ls1mike
Originally Posted By: sciphi
Originally Posted By: Norm Olt
2013 Cruze LTZ MSRP $23,550

I can think of quite a few other choices using that M$RP as a starting point...

Cheers!


I'll bite. What other choices would you pick for that price point that are as well-equipped and get similar fuel economy?

I was going to say, and LTZ is it you can't get any more options on a Cruze.


without going for the diesel yeah.
 
I'd personally rather have the AWD system standard on any Subaru than the needless bloat shoveled on an "LTZ" trim level anything.

2013 Impreza 2.0 CVT COMBINED mpg is 30, vs. a n/a 2013 Cruze automatic @ 29, at least according to a Fuel Econ.gov site.

Cheers!

p.s. It should be clear that I'm not a big fan of all the excess [censored] that is (or can be ) loaded on (for example) a 3-Series to bloat the price up to (or exceeding) a 5-Series.
 
Originally Posted By: Norm Olt
I'd personally rather have the AWD system standard on any Subaru than the needless bloat shoveled on an "LTZ" trim level anything.

2013 Impreza 2.0 CVT COMBINED mpg is 30, vs. a n/a 2013 Cruze automatic @ 29, at least according to a Fuel Econ.gov site.

Cheers!

p.s. It should be clear that I'm not a big fan of all the excess [censored] that is (or can be ) loaded on (for example) a 3-Series to bloat the price up to (or exceeding) a 5-Series.


Which model is that compared to on the Cruze, the LS? Looks like the auto is actually rated a bit lower in that case (27 combined). I can't speak to a "combined" number on our Cruze but have seen many getting over EPA estimates.

Of course, the base model on the Impreza also earns you $2,100 more in your purchase price today versus the LS.
 
I don't think the various trim levels on the Subaru (base, premium, limited, sport premium or sport limited) change the mpg figures in any meaningful way. CVT vs. manual, turbo vs. n/a does.

I was quoting the 5-door (hatchback/wagon?) numbers.

As they often say, "Your results may vary..."

Cheers!
 
The NA 1.8l in the Cruze LS sometimes has difficulty meeting its EPA estimates if the driver's right foot is heavy. The 1.4T is much better at meeting and beating its EPA estimates, even with some spirited driving.

And, base Impreza vs. mid-level Cruze, unless I needed the AWD, the Cruze will be cheaper at the pump and a better-driving vehicle for the price. I've driven a mid-level Impreza hatch that stickered for $2k more than my Cruze did. It drove like a tall, tippy, fairly slow car. Lots of body roll in the turns, lots of road noise, and didn't go that fast. Unless I had a long unplowed driveway or another use for the AWD, just having AWD does not make up for the other dynamic shortcomings of the non-sport-suspensioned, non-turbo Imprezas.
 
Originally Posted By: salv
The real question here boils down to Hyundai or Daewoo. The Kia is a Hyundai, and the Cruz is a Daewoo.
Hyundai over Daewoo any day!
Oh, and the Cruz 1.4 turbo has its turbo built into the exhaust manifold. Awful design choice.


I believe that you're thinking of the Chevy Sonic(not the Cruze). And although Hyundai bought KIA some years ago(to help with the Korean economy), Hyundai lays down the foundation but, KIA still builds the rest of vehicle.
 
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