Zastava_101

Corolla and Civic are usually the top compact sellers. I guess they're paying the price for boring design and outdated engines and transmissions (especially in Corolla's case).

Chevrolet Cruze (24,896)
Ford Focus (21,385)
Hyundai Elantra (19,992)
Toyota Corolla (18,872)
Honda Civic (17,485)
Volkswagen Jetta (17,105) <--- +88% YTD, best selling month in Jetta's history in the USA.

Knight

Or because the lack of inventory, the Toyota dealer near here has no cars to sell.

Japan is still hurting from the earthquake and don't have full production yet.

Wolfsburg

I'd say they are paying the price of the earthquake/tsunami aftermath...

Zastava_101

I'm sure that boring design and really outdated engine (1.8L 132 hp - one of the least powerfull car in its class) and transmission (4 speed auto), not to mention really poor gas mileage for a compact, also played a big role.

2010MustangGT

it's a long read... but a great comparison, or just check the video

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...son/index.html

joe91898

Just bought a 12 Focus SE Hatch. We looked at the Hyundais but really didn't like them. Didn't bother with Toyota or Honda. The Focus is a very nicely done, well thought out car.

Zastava_101

I can't believe Focus is being outsold by both Cruze and Elantra.
Fusion did a good job ...

Compacts, first half of ‘11:
1.) Toyota Corolla 136,747
2.) Honda Civic 127,571
3.) Chevy Cruze 122,972
4.) Hyundai Elantra 103,301
5.) Ford Focus 98,024


Midsize cars, first half of ‘11:
1.) Toyota Camry 147,469
2.) Honda Accord 137,146
3.) Ford Fusion 131,686
4.) Chevy Malibu 122,783
5.) Hyundai Sonata 115,014

Knight

Cruze and Elantra cost less after incentives i bet.

joe91898

My feeling is if people test drove a Focus before an Elantra they would be driving a Focus. We test drove a Titanium hatch and SE sedan then test drove an Elantra Limited. We own a SE Hatch.

rhumb

The Corolla and Civic have really become rolling Ambien of late, well, the Corolla always was a cure for insomnia, both very capable products with the souls and warmth of a reliable refrigerator. Civics at least used to have a lot of avant garde spirit and spunk, but now a just kind of weirdly styled and modestly perky conveyances at best.

On the other hand, Hyundai, Chevy and Ford are really upping their games and proving that econoboxes need not be penalty boxes solely to be endured until one can afford a "real" car. Indeed, for many, even most, a smaller scale car makes perfect sense and well done small cars -- stylish, fun-to-drive, and with a lot of features -- can do well in the market, perhaps even more so in a more fuel/ecologically conscious future. The Focus 5-door really looks great, inside and out, and drives great too. I'd be real intrigued by some SVT/RS performance version.

07NYGT

Idk, I work at a Ford dealership and everyone seems to agree that the design of the Focus is baffling and really not well done. But of course to each their own.

Zastava_101

Well said.

Zastava_101

I remember when Focus Mk. 2 came out, everybody hated it, but car sold really well, much better than Mk. 1. It was the 3rd best seller in a compact class, just behind Corolla and Civic. I hope that will also be the case with a new Focus.

Wolfsburg

If I were in the market for a compact car, there's no doubt I'd look hard at a Focus.

joe91898

Does this hold more water than an actual customer? You know, the people actually buying the car?

2005GTDELUXE

Recent polls have shown that 33% of people prefer the Focus over Cruze, Civic , Elantra, Forte, Mazda3, Corolla and Jetta.

Zastava_101

Interesting. Only 3% of people would buy a Corolla; yet, it's the best seller in its class.

I don't think polls from Motor Trend and auto blogs in general are very realistic. I mean, if they were accurate most of the people in the USA would be driving a turbo-diesel station wagon ...

07NYGT

Well it comes from someone who has to show the people who buy it how to work it and I honestly feel that it's a jumbled up mess on the inside. Again to each their own. If that's something you prefer then who am I to tell you otherwise I just personally feel that the interior is a mess.

rhumb

Which probably says more about the design tastes and sophistication of the average American buyer, weened on dreary and drab econoboxes, than anything else.

Maybe if Ford put more spoilers, ducts, scoops and big shiny things all over it they might be more comprehending. White walls and a vinyl roof might help too. Probably also feel it handles too sharply and the ride isn't floaty enough either.

I suspect that these buyers would also be rather baffled by, say, a zesty Pecorino Romano cheese than their usual Velveeta fare.

07NYGT

I don't see any rhyme or reason for the buttons on the steering wheel. I think they're all horribly placed and don't make much sense. I personally liked the previous generation focus much more.