<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/carbuying/" rel="tag">Car Buying</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/economy/" rel="tag">Budget</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/sedans/" rel="tag">Sedan</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/chevrolet/" rel="tag">Chevrolet</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/ford/" rel="tag">Ford</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/gm/" rel="tag">GM</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/volkswagen/" rel="tag">Volkswagen</a></p><img vspace="4" hspace="0" border="1" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/jettacruzefocusopta.jpg" alt="" /><br />
<br />
Just after we flip our calendars to the year 2011, we'll have three new sedans on the street, all poised to compete against one another and priced from around the $16,000 mark - the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/15/officially-official-2011-volkswagen-jetta-offers-teutonic-titil/">2011 Volkswagen Jetta</a>, <a href="http://autoblog.com/model/cruze">2011 Chevrolet Cruze</a> and <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/11/detroit-2010-next-gen-ford-focus-a-c-segment-savior/">2012 Ford Focus</a>. Each car has a lot of positives and we're sure the automotive media will be lining up comparison tests as soon as each are ready. But right now, we want to know what you, the reader, thinks has the makings of the best $16,000 sedan. Read the details and vote for your pick below.<br />
<br />
<strong>2011 Volkswagen Jetta</strong><br />
<ul>
<li>Dimensions (inches): length: 182.7, width: 70.1, height: 57.1</li>
<li>Engines: 2.5-liter inline-five with 170 horsepower, 177 pound-feet of torque; 2.0-liter turbo-diesel four with 140 hp, 236 lb-ft; 2.0-liter turbocharged four with 200 hp, 207 lb-ft; six-speed automatic, dual-clutch and manual transmissions will be available</li>
<li>Fuel economy: Over 40 mpg for TDI diesel models</li>
<li>Available features: Navigation, Bluetooth, 60/40 split rear seat</li>
</ul>
<strong>2011 Chevrolet Cruze</strong><br />
<ul>
<li>Dimensions (inches): length: 181.0, width: 70.7, height: 58.1, wheelbase: 105.7</li>
<li>Engines: 1.8-liter naturally aspirated inline-four with 138 horsepower and 125 pound-feet of torque; 1.4-liter turbocharged four with 138 hp and 148 lb-ft; six-speed manual and automatic transmissions available</li>
<li>Fuel economy: 40 mpg for Eco models</li>
<li>Available features: Bluetooth, USB connectivity, OnStar support</li>
</ul>
<strong>2012 Ford Focus </strong>
<ul>
<li>Dimensions (inches): length: 179, width: 72, height: 58, wheelbase: 104</li>
<li>Engines: 2.0-liter naturally aspirated inline-four with 155 horsepower, 145 pound-feet of torque, mated to a five-speed manual or six-speed dual-clutch automatic; 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four reportedly in the works with 240-plus hp and a six-speed manual</li>
<li>Fuel economy: 40 mpg highway targeted for base 2.0-liter model</li>
<li>Available features: SYNC, active park assist, navigation</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/15/the-16-000-question-focus-cruze-or-jetta-w-poll/#poll48102">View Poll</a></p><br />
<br />
<em>Note: Official specifications for the 2011 Jetta and 2012 Focus have not been released as of this writing, but these are the details that Autoblog has learned through industry sources.</em><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-volkswagen-jetta/low/">2011 Volkswagen Jetta</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-volkswagen-jetta/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/db2010au00678medium_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-volkswagen-jetta/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/db2010au00677medium_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-volkswagen-jetta/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/db2010au00681medium_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-volkswagen-jetta/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/db2010au00680medium_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-volkswagen-jetta/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/db2010au00679medium_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><br />
<div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevrolet-cruze-quick-spin/low/">Quick Spin: 2011 Chevrolet Cruze</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevrolet-cruze-quick-spin/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/01chevycruzeqs2011_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevrolet-cruze-quick-spin/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/02chevycruzeqs2011_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevrolet-cruze-quick-spin/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/03chevycruzeqs2011_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevrolet-cruze-quick-spin/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/04chevycruzeqs2011_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevrolet-cruze-quick-spin/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/05chevycruzeqs2011_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><br />
<div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-focus/">2012 Ford Focus</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-focus/#2606437"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/nextgenfordfocus000_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-focus/#2606435"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/nextgenfordfocus001_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-focus/#2606434"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/nextgenfordfocus002_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-focus/#2606431"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/nextgenfordfocus003_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-focus/#2606433"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/nextgenfordfocus004_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/15/the-16-000-question-focus-cruze-or-jetta-w-poll/">The $16,000 Question: Jetta, Cruze or Focus? [w/poll]</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Tue, 15 Jun 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/15/the-16-000-question-focus-cruze-or-jetta-w-poll/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19517585/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/15/the-16-000-question-focus-cruze-or-jetta-w-poll/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>
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<br />
Just after we flip our calendars to the year 2011, we'll have three new sedans on the street, all poised to compete against one another and priced from around the $16,000 mark - the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/15/officially-official-2011-volkswagen-jetta-offers-teutonic-titil/">2011 Volkswagen Jetta</a>, <a href="http://autoblog.com/model/cruze">2011 Chevrolet Cruze</a> and <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/11/detroit-2010-next-gen-ford-focus-a-c-segment-savior/">2012 Ford Focus</a>. Each car has a lot of positives and we're sure the automotive media will be lining up comparison tests as soon as each are ready. But right now, we want to know what you, the reader, thinks has the makings of the best $16,000 sedan. Read the details and vote for your pick below.<br />
<br />
<strong>2011 Volkswagen Jetta</strong><br />
<ul>
<li>Dimensions (inches): length: 182.7, width: 70.1, height: 57.1</li>
<li>Engines: 2.5-liter inline-five with 170 horsepower, 177 pound-feet of torque; 2.0-liter turbo-diesel four with 140 hp, 236 lb-ft; 2.0-liter turbocharged four with 200 hp, 207 lb-ft; six-speed automatic, dual-clutch and manual transmissions will be available</li>
<li>Fuel economy: Over 40 mpg for TDI diesel models</li>
<li>Available features: Navigation, Bluetooth, 60/40 split rear seat</li>
</ul>
<strong>2011 Chevrolet Cruze</strong><br />
<ul>
<li>Dimensions (inches): length: 181.0, width: 70.7, height: 58.1, wheelbase: 105.7</li>
<li>Engines: 1.8-liter naturally aspirated inline-four with 138 horsepower and 125 pound-feet of torque; 1.4-liter turbocharged four with 138 hp and 148 lb-ft; six-speed manual and automatic transmissions available</li>
<li>Fuel economy: 40 mpg for Eco models</li>
<li>Available features: Bluetooth, USB connectivity, OnStar support</li>
</ul>
<strong>2012 Ford Focus </strong>
<ul>
<li>Dimensions (inches): length: 179, width: 72, height: 58, wheelbase: 104</li>
<li>Engines: 2.0-liter naturally aspirated inline-four with 155 horsepower, 145 pound-feet of torque, mated to a five-speed manual or six-speed dual-clutch automatic; 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four reportedly in the works with 240-plus hp and a six-speed manual</li>
<li>Fuel economy: 40 mpg highway targeted for base 2.0-liter model</li>
<li>Available features: SYNC, active park assist, navigation</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/15/the-16-000-question-focus-cruze-or-jetta-w-poll/#poll48102">View Poll</a></p><br />
<br />
<em>Note: Official specifications for the 2011 Jetta and 2012 Focus have not been released as of this writing, but these are the details that Autoblog has learned through industry sources.</em><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-volkswagen-jetta/low/">2011 Volkswagen Jetta</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-volkswagen-jetta/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/db2010au00678medium_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-volkswagen-jetta/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/db2010au00677medium_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-volkswagen-jetta/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/db2010au00681medium_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-volkswagen-jetta/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/db2010au00680medium_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-volkswagen-jetta/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/db2010au00679medium_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><br />
<div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevrolet-cruze-quick-spin/low/">Quick Spin: 2011 Chevrolet Cruze</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevrolet-cruze-quick-spin/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/01chevycruzeqs2011_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevrolet-cruze-quick-spin/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/02chevycruzeqs2011_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevrolet-cruze-quick-spin/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/03chevycruzeqs2011_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevrolet-cruze-quick-spin/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/04chevycruzeqs2011_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-chevrolet-cruze-quick-spin/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/05chevycruzeqs2011_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><br />
<div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-focus/">2012 Ford Focus</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-focus/#2606437"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/nextgenfordfocus000_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-focus/#2606435"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/nextgenfordfocus001_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-focus/#2606434"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/nextgenfordfocus002_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-focus/#2606431"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/nextgenfordfocus003_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-focus/#2606433"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/nextgenfordfocus004_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/15/the-16-000-question-focus-cruze-or-jetta-w-poll/">The $16,000 Question: Jetta, Cruze or Focus? [w/poll]</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Tue, 15 Jun 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/15/the-16-000-question-focus-cruze-or-jetta-w-poll/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19517585/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/15/the-16-000-question-focus-cruze-or-jetta-w-poll/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>
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