Greene Ford Compares 2014 Ford Fiesta VS 2014 Chevrolet Cruze Near Buford, GA

Both the Fiesta and the Cruze have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front-wheel drive, height-adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, traction control and electronic stability systems to prevent skidding.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Ford Fiesta is safer than the Chevrolet Cruze:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Ford Fiesta is safer than the Chevrolet Cruze:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Fiesta’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Cruze’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Fiesta has a 500-amp battery. The Cruze only offers a standard 438-amp battery.

The Fiesta’s standard 1.0 turbo 3 cyl. produces 23 lbs.-ft. more torque (148 vs. 125) than the Cruze LS’ standard 1.8 DOHC 4 cyl.

On the EPA test cycle the Fiesta SFE gets better fuel mileage than the Cruze ECO:

On the EPA test cycle the Fiesta gets better fuel mileage than the Cruze:

The Fiesta has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Cruze doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The Fiesta stops much shorter than the Cruze:

The Fiesta SE/Titanium Sedan has a standard full size spare tire so your trip isn’t interrupted by a flat. A full size spare isn’t available on the Cruze, it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which has mileage and speed limitations, or roadside assistance and a tow-truck.

The Fiesta has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Cruze doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The Fiesta’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Cruze doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For better maneuverability, the Fiesta’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the Cruze LS/1LT/ECO/Diesel’s (34.4 feet vs. 35.7 feet). The Fiesta’s turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the Cruze 2LT/LTZ’s (34.4 feet vs. 36.4 feet).

The Ford Fiesta may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 450 to 850 pounds less than the Chevrolet Cruze.

The Fiesta Sedan is 7.4 inches shorter than the Cruze, making the Fiesta easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Fiesta SE/Titanium’s available driver’s power window opens or closes with one touch of the window control, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths. The Cruze’s standard driver’s power window switch has to be held the entire time to close it fully.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Fiesta’s available exterior keypad. The Cruze doesn’t offer an exterior keypad entry system, and its OnStar ® can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

Intelligent Access Key standard on the Fiesta Titanium allows you to unlock the driver’s door, trunk and start the engine all without removing a key from pocket or purse. This eliminates searching for keys before loading groceries, getting in the vehicle in bad weather or making a hurried start to your trip. The Chevrolet Cruze’s available Keyless Access doesn’t unlock the trunk.

With standard voice command, the Fiesta offers the driver hands free control of the radio, cell phone and the navigation computer by simply speaking. The Cruze doesn’t offer a voice control system.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Fiesta is less expensive to operate than the Cruze because typical repairs cost much less on the Fiesta than the Cruze, including $208 less for an alternator, $69 less for front brake pads, $10 less for fuel injection and $121 less for a fuel pump.

Intellichoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Ford Fiesta will be $1266 to $4364 less than for the Chevrolet Cruze.