Wrong Car/Right Car Online

 

A Top Gear Philippines reader asks: Cruze or Elantra?

By Botchi Santos —

 

Hi, Botchi. I've really wanted to have a car for a long time now. And now I'm about to get one. The only problem is that I don't know what car to get. After days of researching, I've narrowed down my options to two: the Hyundai Elantra and the Chevy Cruze.

I've read that these two are fuel-efficient cars. That's important to me because from time to time, I take trips out of town. But most of the time, I'll be using it in the city. I really want the Cruze, because for me it's more masculine. But I'm afraid because, as everyone says, it's difficult to maintain and find spare parts for Chevy cars. So now I'm seriously considering the Elantra.

Help me, Botchi! Am I making a mistake? By the way, my budget for the car is less than P1 million.

Thanks,

Chris Ariel Esparaguera

 

Thanks for the e-mail. We really appreciate it.

The Chevrolet Cruze and the Hyundai Elantra are perhaps two of the cars that best represent this segment in the motoring industry: brave, new and adventurous. It's a welcome change from the usual Toyota, Honda, Nissan and Mitsubishi choices, and one I fully support.

Interestingly though, both the Chevrolet brand and the Hyundai brand are locally managed by the same group of people. Hyundai has enjoyed a very positive image in the last five years, and Chevrolet will follow suit, so no need to worry about after-sales servicing and concerns.

Both cars are pretty good. Truth be told, if you could stretch your budget more, the Cruze diesel is the best variant to get. It's really fast and fuel-efficient, and it handles well. It is over P1 million, however, but I feel the premium is well worth the satisfaction you will get with a Cruze diesel.

But to stick to your budget, the Elantra is hard to beat. It is my favorite car in this segment because it offers so much for so little. It's hard to beat. It drives really well, handles really well, looks really good, has a lot of tech (six-speed automatic transmission, a powerful and responsive 1.8-liter engine, fancy multimedia system), and is priced well below P1 million, making it extremely good value.

Other alternatives to look at? The Mitsubishi Lancer is hard to beat, and has a good range of variants to suit most budgets. Handles really well, too, and very handsome and very sporty.

Don't worry about the Chevrolet brand's negative image. The new group handling it--The Covenant Car Company Inc.--is more than capable, through their dealership network, to help you maintain your Cruze (should you get one) in optimal condition all the time.

Good luck finding your new car! Take care, drive safe, and God bless!

Botchi Santos
Consumer Editor

 

Which compact sedan should Chris get?

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  • one.edchelle 10 months ago
     
    for me it's the Cruze that will give you a bang, even though that it's price has a minimal margin from the elantra, it can give an make you feel masculine, safe, secure in every time, plus you can have all the techie toys that TCCI had given to it to spice it more, the Elantra, i respect her but nevertheless there's still something missing, that if HARI could given it it would be the same as the price of the Cruze, so good luck for the choose... hope you will be happy spending memorable drives with the car you will choose.
       
  • xxgrendel 10 months ago
     
    The best bang-for-buck to me is the Elantra,
    Good power 130horses and has 6speed AT. The interior is awesome sure worth the money.
    the looks kinda feminine but nontheless, its sexy.
    The chevy only stands out for its Handling, but maybe because of its 18" tires.
    also consider the Lancer EX, Ford Focus. if you want something more masculine Get a pick-up.
        1
  • jon1441 10 months ago
     
    Try Honda City or Civic? :) Both Good Cars! hehe
       
  • jon1441 10 months ago
     
    Try Honda City or Civic? :) Both Good Cars! hehe
       
    • hopeless 10 months ago
       
      Definitely not a City. City's segment is lower than that of Mr. Esparaguera's choices.
         
  • jon1441 10 months ago
     
    I have a question hope you guys can help me. Suzuki Celerio, Hyundai i10, or Mitsubishi Mirage? :) Which of these 3 cars is the best?

    Thanks!
        5
  • hopeless 10 months ago
     
    Cruze
    1.8 LS M/T : Php 908,888
    1.8 LS A/T : Php 963,888

    Civic
    1.8 S M/T : Php 908,000
    1.8 E A/T : Php 1,008,000

    If you could still hold your purchase, maybe you would also want to look at the new Focus.

    Focus sedan
    1.6 Ambiente M/T : Php 859,000
    1.6 Ambiente A/T : Php 929,000
    1.6 Trend A/T : Php 989,000
    2.0 Titanium A/T : Php 1,199,000

    Cruze diesel is the best option but it's price is too steep at Php 1,313,888. At that price point, I might just consider getting myself a Hyundai Sonata 2.4 GLS (A/T at Php 1,388,000). My personal suggestion is Cruze 1.8 LS.

    Good luck and keep us posted!
       
    • jon1441 10 months ago
       
      Great post. I agree with the cruze diesel is really expensive and pushing the Mr. Chris his budget. It will come down to Civic, Cruz 1.8LS and the Focus sedan. 1M below is his budget.
         
      • td21 10 months ago
         
        Not the civic pls. It's a 90's butthead design.
            3
        • GotToRead 10 months ago
           
          Agreed HAHA! May thumbs down ka galing sa fan boys :))
             
    • yokam888 10 months ago
       
      yeah mahal talaga ang cruze diesel. at 1.3m, i'd rather buy the montero glx-v. but the sonata is also a very good option, kaso medyo di na talaga siya fuel efficient.
         
      • yokam888 10 months ago
         
        wth tgph, bat napunta tong comment ko dito? lol sorry na off topic
           
      • jon1441 10 months ago
         
        yup agree. hindi fuel efficient ung sonata. tested na yun. haha :) but it looks great and fun to drive. meron kami nun eh. hehe
           
    • hopeless 10 months ago
       
      And just in case you'll get an Elantra, get it in Sleek Silver or Phantom Black. Do not get it with Ceramic White, it just looks cheap. Well, that's just me.
         
  • d.lake 10 months ago
     
    Consider lancer ex. It's really macho looking. But of these two, i pick cruze.
       
  • kiamoyman 10 months ago
     
    I'll pick cruze or altis over elantra.
       
  • vansxtrme23 10 months ago
     
    test drive both cars then you'll finally end up with cruze.:-)
       
  • yokam888 10 months ago
     
    for me, the word fuel efficient and chevy cruze does not add up. based on actual experience, it consumes approx. 7-8km per liter of fuel. or i'm just spoiled at how the picanto and vios consumes fuel. yeah i know, i can't compare a 1.8litre to smaller displacement engines, but if fuel efficiency is the priority of the letter sender, i suggest not opting for bigger displacement engines.
        2
    • Allain 10 months ago
       
      Really 7-8kms only for Cruze? My Elantra gives me 10-11kms mixed driving at average speed of 35km/h. Kung sabagay mabigat naman talaga ang kaha ng cruze.
         
  • Kyoichi Sudo 10 months ago
     
    Fuel efficiency you say? Well, go for the Lancer EX 1.6L MX, P930K. Happy car shopping! :)
       
  • BOOGIECAT 10 months ago
     
    Mas maganda pa ang Civic 1.8 S A/T na nasa 948K Pesos lang.Yung Cruze 1.8 LS eh di na ganoon kaganda.Focus?Avoid the lame 1.6 liter variants.
        2
    • hopeless 10 months ago
       
      Does Civic 1.8 S A/T have a manual override? If not, you may just want to shell out some Php 60,000 more to have one (via paddle shifters) for a more enjoyable drive.
         
  • jbedpan 10 months ago
     
    if you have short listed these two: elantra vs cruze and you are locked up on this then i suggest a test drive. once driving you will feel it. you would say - this is the one.

    however if i may say something, i would stare longer with the cruze than with the elantra. it has appeal, muscle appeal, bagay sa lalaki. elantra is nice but kulang sa x-factor eh, cruze for me has the x factor.
       
  • isaac3654 10 months ago
     
    Fuel Efficiency? How about checking out the Honda Civic 1.8 E. :DD it gets a US EPA Est. of 39 MPG, 40 MPG with ECON ON (*results may vary on driving conditions), and for maintenance, only 2 visits a year, though for non-traditional alternatives, I highly recommended to you the Ford Focus 1.6L Trend Hatch/Sedan, EPA Est. of 38 MPG, but I'm not sure about Ford's maintenance. Otherwise, get the Elantra since its the most fuel efficient car right now, and flexible ang maintenance ng Hyundai, based from a friend of mine who has a Sonata. :)
       
    • hajabah 10 months ago
       
      Ford cars are brilliant. My family has a Focus diesel. brilliant car, really. But Ford's customer service isn't always as brilliant. Pity. But I agree with you, between the two, I think the Elantra is a better buy.
         
      • crschavs 10 months ago
         
        what's wrong with their service sir hajabah? san po ba dealer niyo?
           
        • jon1441 10 months ago
           
          I agree with the ford dealer service crew that they have a bad service to their customer. Those ford owners should really check their car after the service because there was a case with my auntie and cousin (different service ford shop) they will replace the parts of your unit. i.e the screw of your tires, they will use the old ones and will steal yours.
             
          • isaac3654 10 months ago
             
            Mas maganda customer service ng Hyundai kaysa Ford, based from a friend of mine who has a Sonata. And if the choice is the Civic, don't buy a Honda at Honda Cars Makati branches! Buy in dealers of the Yuchengco Group Of Companies (YGC), and that's based from experience. Our CR-V was bought in Honda Manila and my Civic was bought in Honda Alabang (its because at the Honda Civic launch event, the person that was assigned to us was from Honda Alabang), that's why we know the difference in customer service.
               
          • crschavs 10 months ago
             
            i think it depends on the dealer. alam ko Ford global city ang maraming problema when it comes to customer relations. sa ford libis okay naman. i'm very much satisfied with their service. kaibiganin mo lang technician mo, madali nalang usapan pagdating sa under the table transactions. hahaha. with the palit palit stuff, i don't think sa ford (if ever) lang meron niyan. lahat ng casa siguro may ganun. swertihan lang talaga sa agent kung matino. hahaha
               
    • isaac3654 10 months ago
       
      OOPS! Typo HAHA! It's recommend! :))
          1
  • crschavs 10 months ago
     
    Fuel economy ba? mag-outgoing Focus TDCi ka nalang. boring nga lang interior. haha
       
  • reyjason 11 months ago
     
    explore more cars :) . . Check the new Honda Civic and Ford Focus, Mazda3, these compact sedans are all new. You might want it. . Happy car shopping
       
  • GotToRead 10 months ago
     
    I've been seeing Cruzes here in our subdivision, one is red and the other one is gray metallic, They're quite a looker and boast more masculine stance than the Elantra. Therefore, I pick the Cruze over the Elantra, but I suggest you check the 1.6L Mitsubishi Lancer, I'm quite impress with the Lancer especially with its fuel efficiency but I think its interior lets it down.
       
    • Allain 10 months ago
       
      Oo nga kakainis ang Lancer EX. Ganda ng labas tapos pag pasok mo lumang style ang loob..BORING!
          1
      • Kyoichi Sudo 10 months ago
         
        Say that to the Sentra and Elantra, both have cool exteriors but both also have non-sense dashboards...
           
  • bluehornet 10 months ago
     
    I owned Elantra 1.6 AT, the ride and look was good. The problem Im experincing now is the unusual sound from the steering...
       
    • warak1422 10 months ago
       
      that's normal with Hyundai
         
      • car.L 11 months ago
         
        Cnbi mo p sir.there was one time I've seen an accent n tumirik hbang ngpapark.hehe
           
  • lord_cykb24 10 months ago
     
    with the two options, I would rather choose the Hyundai Elantra, if we're talking about fuel efficiency. But for masculine appeal, I'd rather choose the Chevy Cruze. Bottomline is, I've heard some friends who owns a Cruze, they've liked the suspension, so comfort. The only downside of the Golden Bowtie's compact car is the lack of power. If you choose the petrol engine (since you've said you want below 1M mark), it is under-powered, plus the FC is a difference. A gas guzzler. If you want a wildcard option for me, I'd rather pick the 3 diamonds Lancer EX 1.6's. There were 3 variants from this power train starting from 825K for the MT to the 930K AT. Even though it bears a little displacement of 1600cc, but it's very fuel-efficient and surprisingly, DAMNED FAst for a 1.6. Aside from it, take it from my experience, after sales services of Mitsubishi is nice and the spare parts were widely available on other stores if you don't want to buy in the casa bearing a hefty price tag... GO for LANCER EX....!!!!
        1
    • td21 11 months ago
       
      Too late for the Lancer EX 1.6. An all new model is coming in 2014.
         
      • Kyoichi Sudo 10 months ago
         
        Any proof?
           
        • Allain 10 months ago
           
          Actually itong current generation ng Lancer EX is already 5 years old na. It was launch in 2008 yata ito kaya it is about time na siguro na mapalit na sila.
             
    • Kyoichi Sudo 10 months ago
       
      Agree, the Lancer EX is still the best!
          1
  • warak1422 10 months ago
     
    Cruze... FTW
       
  • carwiki 10 months ago
     
    Go for the Elantra! I still remember what Sir Botchi said in his video. "The advantage of the short wheelbase is, madali siyang i-park."
       
  • markdejesus76 10 months ago
     
    Between Cruze and Elantra, considering the writers requirement, Elantra is a bit better pick. Cruze is heavy and won't be as fuel efficient as an Elantra in City use. Spare parts, pricing at availability, halos parehas lang.

    BUT, Lancer EX 1.6 can be a better pick. Also the Honda Civic now that it has this ECON mode and the Ford Focus.
       
  • regiusace17 10 months ago
     
    Mabagal daw mag-accelerate ang Cruze dahil mabigat unlike the Elantra :)
       
  • car.L 11 months ago
     
    If you wait some more.maybe nxt year eh ilabas dn dito ung 2013 elantra coupe and GT.if lng nman.
       
  • mwdlc_22 10 months ago
     
    It be really hard to choose between the two. Both are responsive, handles well, perfect driving experience when I had the chance to test them. But when money talks kicks in, the Elantra is the best choice for a budget below Php 1,000,000. But if I were to buy a car, I'd still choose the Corolla Altis. Our Corolla big body still runs perfectly since we bought it 20 years ago. Quality tested and proven. But then again, more car options arise. Makes me confused as well. Explore!
       
  • mwdlc_22 10 months ago
     
    I wonder how to become a columnist for TGP... Hmmm...
       
  • Tandang Sora 10 months ago
     
    Cruze baby!

    The son of Miss Ma. Fe Agudo even owns a Cruze. Believe me. :) They know what they are buying.
       
  • leo222 11 months ago
     
    Both new cars in the segment you say?

    One Answer: TEST DRIVE
       
  • barry 10 months ago
     
    just test-drive these cars that these guys are mentioned in the forum and try to compare it. i will not recommend because sedans nowadays are more techie in terms of features and they are more sophisticated. try to test-drive in the 1.6 and the 1.8 variants. happy motoring!
       
  • engr_kristian 10 months ago
     
    You can't go wrong with any of the 2, they are almost equal &, as Botchi said, no difference at all with the after-sales service since both are carried by the same group. The difference would be in the safety & gizmos offered. Having said that, I'd take the Cruze with its 6 airbags & other gadgets.
       
  • John Rigor 10 months ago
     
    I couldn't give much feedback regarding the Cruze, but I heard it has one of the best ride in the segment. The downside is that it is a bit sluggish compared to other cars in the market.

    As for the Elantra, I've owned an Elantra for 8 months now, and so far it has given me a lot of good times! :) The engine is powerful and the transmission is a masterpiece. Blip the throttle, and it's hard not to smile. The suspension rides on the rough side though, but the advantage of this is that it takes corners so well! I also get a lot of compliments regarding its interior and exterior looks.

    As for fuel consumption, it consumes around 8-10km/L in the city (may go down to 7 if you drive hard) and around 15-16km/L on the highway.

    One thing I've noticed though is that the 5th and 6th gear is spaced awkwardly. At 100kph, the engine rpms are quite high compared to other cars, but once you get to 120kph, it shifts to 6th and it's smooth again.
       
  • Edgarallan Poe 10 months ago
     
    Fuel efficiency is a relative term. Sa lola ninyo i-pa drive. I suggest the Cruze for safety reasons. Ang Elantra mukhang fragile.
       
  • Edgarallan Poe 10 months ago
     
    Pero i-consider mo ang good after sales service ito ang importante. Kasi kung hindi maganda para na rin nadisgrasya tayo o mas mahigit pa.
       
  • Edgarallan Poe 10 months ago
     
    Another reason, the Cruze is a WTCC record winner. Bragging rights.
       
    • rmolivar 9 months ago
       
      If bragging rights is what we're talking about, the Elantra was voted car of the year in North America, Canada, South Africa, and the Philippines.
         
      • Edgarallan Poe 9 months ago
         
        Then congrats to Hyundai! But i am talking about performance on the race track.
           
  • PanotAko 8 months ago
     
    Wag nyo na kasi i-consider korean. Kakatok lng ang makina mo kaya AYT!
       
  • miveranu 5 months ago
     
    Go for the Chevrolet CRUZE 2.0 diesel. For fuel efficiency and no worries in price hike. :)
       
  • miveranu 5 months ago
     
    Ang cruze diesel mabagal sa arangkada pero sa rektahan mabilis. Compare mo sa gasoline na 1.6 - 1.8, malakas talaga ang arangkada ng gasolina. But the thing is, the buyer is looking for fuel efficiency..so it depends kung ano ang hanap ng buyer.
       
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