If you're in the market for a 2014 American-made car that costs about $20,000 to $25,000, the top options are the 2014 Ford Focus and the Chevy Cruze. This rundown of each vehicle's key commonalities and differences should help decide which vehicle is right for you.
2014 Ford Focus at a GlanceÂ
- Suggested price
of $16,810 to $23,565Â
 - 26 to 27 miles per gallon on city streets
- 36 to 37 miles per gallon on highways
- Five seats
- 13.2 cubic feet of cargo space
- Powerful standard engine (160 horsepower)
- Low noise levels
- Sleek interior
- Comes in three styles
- New in 2014: A sporty exterior option for the Focus SE
 2014 Chevy Cruze at a Glance
- Suggested price of $17,520 to $24,985
- Models with higher fuel efficiency cost more
- 22 to 28 miles per gallon on city streets
- 35 to 46 miles per gallon on highways (Diesel model gets 46 mpg)
- Five seats
- 13.3 to 15.4 cubic units of cargo space
- Comes in 11 styles
What the Focus and Cruze Both Do Well
- Approximately equivalent amounts of torque spread among the various models
- Similar turning radiuses, meaning both vehicles are great at getting out of snug spaces
- Holds same number of passengers
- Basic warranties are virtually the same
What Is Better in the Focus
- Price ($16,810 to $23,565 for the Focus, $17,520 to $24,985 for the Cruze)
- Engine horsepower (the Focus has more horsepower on most models and will be faster)
- Better average gas mileage
- More-reliable brakes
- More than one power-door lock button
What Is Better in the Cruze
- Passengers have slightly more room to spread out
- Cargo space is a little larger
Gas Mileage
The 2014 Cruze comes with three engine options that net 27 to 33 miles per gallon when highway and city driving are combined.
- The basic engine (138 horsepower, 1.8 liters, four cylinders) gets about 27 to 29 mpg depending on the manual and automatic transmission.
- The 1.4-liter engine also comes with 138 horsepower but feels stronger because it produces more rotation. In the Eco model, the automatic transmission averages 31 mpg while the manual averages about 33 mpg.
- A turbocharged engine (2 liters, four cylinders, 151 horsepower) comes with the Cruze Diesel model and automatic transmission. It gets about 33 mpg combined.
The 2014 Ford Focus also has three engine options-and on average, they give somewhat better gas mileage and more power.
- The engine that buyers most like is the standard one (160 horsepower, 2 liters, 4 cylinders). On manual transmission, it gets 30 mph. With the PowerShift automated manual transmission, the number rises to 31 mpg. The Super Fuel Economy Package will get you 33 mpg.
- The EcoBoost engine (252 horsepower, 2 liters) provides 26 mpg.
- The electric Ford Focus lets you drive for 76 miles at a time and gives you the equivalent of 105 miles per gallon.
Technology and Safety
Both the Focus and the Cruze feature plenty of technology to help drivers. Included are keyless entry, power windows, locks and air conditioning. However, the Ford Focus may be more user-friendly. The MyFord Touch is voice activated and simple, while Chevy's MyLink system can be difficult to navigate.
Both cars do excellently on matters of safety, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration awarded five stars to both. The Cruze offers ten airbags, parking sensors and traffic alerts. The Focus offers seven airbags and allows drivers to key in speed limits and other preferences such as radio volume and 911 Assist.
If you decide the 2014 Ford Focus is right for you, please contact your Mechanicsburg Ford dealership or come visit us at 6320 Carlisle Pike, Mechanicsburg, PA.