Honda Civic vs. Chevrolet Cruze and Hyundai Elantra

Honda Civic vs. Chevrolet Cruze and Hyundai Elantra.

Here’s how the 2012 Civic Sedan stacks up against the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze and 2013 Hyundai Elantra.

2012 Civic Sedan vs. 2013 Chevrolet Cruze Sedan

Top 4 reasons to buy the 2012 Civic instead of the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze:

A More Affordable Automatic

At $17,545 (MSRP, including destination charge), 2012 Civic DX Sedan with an automatic transmission is priced $380 less than 2013 Cruze LS with a manual transmission and $1,475 less than Cruze LS with an automatic.

Higher EPA Fuel Economy Ratings

This chart show’s Civic EPA fuel economy ratings versus comparable Cruze models.

Model	City/Highway/ Combined	Model	City/Highway/ Combined	Model	City/Highway/ Combined
2012 Civic DX/LX MT	28/36/31	2012 Civic DX/LX/EX/EX0L AT	28/39/32	2012 Civic HF AT	29/41/33
2013 Cruze LS MT	25/36/29	2013 Cruze LS AT	22/35/27	2013 Cruze Eco MT	28/42/33
2013 Cruze 1LT/2LT/LTZ MT	26/38/30	2013 Cruze 1LT/2LT/LTZ AT	26/38/30	2013 Cruze Eco AT	26/39/31

Renowned Honda Reliability

Civic has a Predicted Reliability Rating of 4.0 out of a possible 5.0, according to J. D. Power and Associates.  The 2012 Chevrolet Cruze falls short with a Predicted Reliability Rating of just 3.0 out of a possible 5.0 (Data not available for 2013 Model.)

Lower Ownership Costs

According to an Edmunds.com comparison, the 2012 Civic LX MT costs and average of $.44 per mile to drive compared to $.48 for the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze LS MT.  That’s a savings of $600 per year at 15,000 miles per year and $3,000 over five years. (Average cost per mile figures for ZIP code 98208. Data not available for 2013 Cruze.)

2012 Civic Sedan vs. 2013 Hyundai Elantra Sedan

Tor four reasons to buy the 2012 Civic instead of the 2013 Hyundai Elantra:

Superior Overall Frontal Crash Rating

The 2012 Civic Sedan earned a 5-Star Overall Frontal Crash Safety Rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).  The 2013 Hyundai Elantra earned a 4-Star Overall Frontal Crash Safety Rating.

Roomier Rear Seat

The 2012 Civic Sedan has 3.1 inches more rear-seat legroom than the 2013 Elantra for more rear-seawt comfort.

Renowned Honda Reliability

 Civic has a Predicted Reliability Rating of 4.0 out of a possible 5.0, according to J. D. Power and Associates.  The 2012 Hyundai Elantra  has a Predicted Reliability Rating of just 3.5 out of a possible 5.0 (Data not available for 2013 model.)

Lower Ownership Costs

According to an Edmunds.com comparison, the 2012 Civic LX MT costs and average of $.44 per mile to drive compared to $.46 for the 2012 Hyundai Elantra GLS Sedan AT.  That’s a savings of $300 per year at 15,000 miles per year and $1,500 over 5 years.  (Average costs per mile figures for ZIP code 98208. Complete data not available for 2013 Elantra.)

Item/Vehicle	2012 Honda Civic LX Sedan MT	2013 Chevrolet Cruze LS Sedan MT	2012 Honda Civic LX Sedan AT	2013 Hyundai Elantra GLS Sedan AT
Rear Stabilizer Bar	Standard	Not Available	Standard	Not Available
Electronic Brake Distribution	Standard	Not Available	Standard	Standard
Brake Assist	Standard	Not Available	Standard	Standard
Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS)	Standard	Nothing Comparable Available	Standard	Nothing Comparable Available
Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) Body Structure	Standard	Nothing Comparable Available	Standard	Nothing Comparable Available
Floor Mats	Standard	Standard	Standard	Carpeted Floor Mats $95
Rear-seat Legroom (Inches)	36.2	35.4	36.2	33.1
EPA Fuel Economy Rating (mpg) (City/Highway/Combined)	28/36/31	25/36/29	28/39/32	29/40/33
ALG Residual Value (36/60 Months)	55%/41%	Not Listed/Not Listed	55%/42%	62%/43%
Base Price MSRP	$18,005	$17,130	$18,805	$17,695
Destination Charge	$790	$795	$790	$775
Comparably Equipped Price	$18,795	$17,925	$17,595	$18,565