http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/25/2...0-mpg-highway/

 

awesome. I'll most likely get this and hold off on the Fiesta... but that wont stop me from testing out a fiesta this weekend... I may just like it... but I think those red interior lights may sink it for me

 

I heard the fiesta is quite a peppy little car! Could you give us a little review afterwards if you go?

and yeah i think SFE packages are going to be more common. Basically saying if you want better mpg then you gotta pay for it... we wont just up the base price like $500 so everyone can get it standard.

 

Still waiting on the mpg figures for the "regular" Focuses, specifically the SE with manual trans. Still disappointed Ford can't achieve 40 mpg highway across the entire line like the Elantra, but hopefully it will be at least 38 mpg for the manual.

 

In Focus defense, Focus is much more powerful than Elantra (160 vs 138 hp).

 

Your hp rating is off...138 was for the old 2.0 Beta motor Elantra. The new 1.8L elantra motor (codenamed nu) is 148 hp and 143 in PZEV states. BTW Elantra is larger than the Focus so not only is it 40 mpg across the board for all models(even the ones with alloy wheels!) it is classified as a midsize car by the EPA. Just barely...but bigger is bigger, right?


BTW what is the displacement of the new Focus mill? I believe Hyundai may have won the specific output award also!!

Either way i love what Ford has done with the new Focus and wish them well...It's my second favorite in the class as selling Hyundai's will be paying for my new Boss

 

There, fixed that for you, and much of the Focuses power advantage is negated by its heavier curb weight, approximately 200 lbs more than the Elantra. The weigh to hp ratio is nearly identical.

 

Thanks...Btw I think one of the reasons the Elantra has the fuel economy advantage is it's lower displacement mill.

 

My bad, I was actually thinking of 1.6L 138 hp engine from new Hyundai Veloster ... somehow I thought the same engine is powering Elantra too.

 

I think the better mpg is due to several factors, the three that come to mind are its displacement as you mentioned, its lower weight, and most likely its gearing too. The Focus manual is a 5-speed, while the Elantra gets a 6-speed, and its 6th gear is probably better for highway mpg than the 5th gear in the Focus. I'm sure the Focus will be more fun to drive, but the lower weight, lower price and better mpg of the Hyundai make it tempting (and I hate Korean cars in general).

 

Thanks for the educated opinions of the Elantra! BTW if you get a chance, drive an Elantra LTD with the 18's it's a really surprisingly great handler.


BTW I HAVE TO APOLOGIZE!! The Elantra mill is a 1.8...being home pnuemonia must've fried my brain!!


Oh and so everone knows the new Elantra Coupe is rumored to be available with a 1.6 Turbo with aroung 175 hp and 38 mpg...rumors only, but seeing as there is no SE trim level yet it make sense

 

BTW did you know it was designed and is assembled in the US? Yep the Elantra is built in Alabama

 

Yeah, I've read about that, I still consider them to be Korean cars, even though they are built in Alabama, just like I consider Hondas to be Japanese cars, even though many of them are built right here in Ohio. Being US built is a good thing though in my book, so that's another thing that may convince me to consider a Hyundai when I never would have before.

 

i've test driven both the hatchy and the sedan versions. it's got good get up and go, but not as peppy as a mazda2, fit, and the kia forte i test drove was peppier as well. the interior is VERY snug. my wife and sister in law sat in the back and were squished (they are 5'4 and 5'3 respectively). I on the other hand, when in the driver side, felt as if i was one with the car. i never felt that before. the telescoping steering wheel was right where it felt amazing, the controls were nicely stationed, and although i didn't have much leg room (i'm 6'1) with the seat all the way back, it felt really good. it must have been the angle at which my legs were or something. i bet the sync works awesome, but the old bloke showing us the car didn't know how to use it, he just kept giving it bad commands. my wife was not impressed, haha. the brakes were not as strong as i would have liked. they are very close to my fit's brakes, and they are horrible.

 

I guessed this exactly, I wish they could have gotten 40 without the SFE package but it is as expected. Still an awesome car and top of its class all round.

 

The rest of Focus lineup is rated at 28/38 mpg (automatic) and 26/36 mpg (manual).

 

Good enough for me! If a (my) loaded Titanium 5-Door can manage 38mpg of the highway I will be happy . . . if I get one!