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Buy this Ford vs Ferrari GT40 Movie CarUnder $5,000: Used Ford Focus vs Hyundai Elantra
We’re putting two compact cars head-to-head: a used Ford Focus vs. a Hyundai Elantra. Find out which is the best choice with a budget of $5,000.
A Compact Comparison
We’ve reviewed the 2021 Hyundai Elantra, but today we’re going to compare the Hyundai Elantra to the Ford Focus. That comparison comes with a catch: a budget of under $5,000. There is quite a variety of used Ford Focus and Hyundai Elantra models available for under $5,000. The newest model year with that kind of budget is the 2010 Ford Focus and 2010 Hyundai Elantra, so I’ll focus on those two particular model years. Every once in a while, you’ll see a 2011 Ford Focus, but, for the most part 2010 models and under are what is available for that kind of price.
Used Ford Focus vs Hyundai Elantra Specs
Every 2010 Hyundai Elantra comes in FWD with a 2.0L I4 engine. It’s mated to a five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic. The engine makes 138 hp with 136 lb-ft of torque. The 2010 Elantra fuel-efficient sedan trim, the Blue, achieves 26/35 mpg in city/highway driving. It’s only available with the five-speed manual transmission. The Blue is a newer model that puts a special focus on fuel economy. It barely bests the base trim, the 2010 Elantra GLS. The brand-new GLS trim gets 26/34 mpg in city/highway driving with an automatic transmission.
Switching over to the competition, a 2010 Ford Focus has a 2.0L four-cylinder engine that makes 140 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. It’s also mated to a five-speed manual transmission or four-speed automatic. The manual transmission gets 24/35 mpg in city/highway driving. The automatic drops by just one digit, resulting in 24/34 mpg in city/highway driving.
Driving & Performance
With 138 hp, the Elantra has all the power a driver would need on a routine commute. Accelerating to highway speeds, and zipping in and out of traffic will be more of a struggle. That also adds noise as the engine powers up. The five-speed manual transmission increases the fun level of this drive, however. The 2010 Hyundai Elantra steers tight and firm at low speeds. At a higher speed, it’s still mostly responsive. The twists and turns of the roadway limit its control. The suspension makes for a smooth ride, even on bumpier surfaces. It could certainly stand for some improvement to make the ride even smoother, but, overall, the ride isn’t an uncomfortable one.
Four-wheel ABS and stability control are standard in all 2010 Ford Focus models. The heavy revamp of its fully independent suspension gives more control when handling this Ford. It’ll take curves well. SES trims also come with performance-tuned suspension. It’s certainly not a sporty car, but the Ford Focus is efficient, has tight steering, and it’ll get up to speed on a highway. Of course, the five-speed manual transmission can be utilized with the Focus as well. Handling is the strong suit for the Focus in this category.
Comfort & Interior
The layout in the 2010 Hyundai Elantra is straightforward. Hyundai was generous with the space dedicated to the driver and front passenger. There’s 97.9 cu-ft of passenger room. 43.5″ go to the front leg room and 40″ go to the front head room. The rear passengers have 35″ of leg room and 37.6″ of head room. There’s more room for cargo in the Elantra than in most sedans this size. It has 14.2 cu-ft of regular trunk space. A back seat that folds down into a 60/40 split adds even more room. Interior storage continues with a compartment inside the top of the dash, door pockets, and a center console.
Cloth upholstery on lower trims is made of decent quality. It’s what most people would expect to find in a less expensive vehicle. Soft-touch materials can be found on the armrests, but the vinyl on the visors and in other areas feels cheap. The seats are well-cushioned and do offer good back support. It’s supposed to fit five people, but the back passengers would probably feel a little bit constricted if they all piled in together.
Taking a look at the 2010 Ford Focus, there’s 41.7” of front leg room and 39.2” of head room. That’s less than in the 2010 Elantra. In the Ford, though, rear passengers have more room than in the Elantra. Leg room measures 36.1” and head room comes in at 38.3” of space. With 13.8 cu-ft of cargo capacity, the Elantra beats the Ford in this measurement as well. The rear seat also folds in a 60/40 split, so more room is added in that way.
Interior design in this used Ford Focus isn’t an issue. Like with the Elantra, the 2010 Ford Focus is simple. Ford tried to make the most of the space they had. The gauges on the dash are easy to read, controls are positioned within the driver’s reach, and there are various additional storage spaces within the cabin. Bucket seats provide both comfort and support. Optional leather upholstery is available. Otherwise, it’s cloth fabric in most areas.
Trims & Features
A 2010 Hyundai Elantra comes with three trim choices: the GLS, the Blue, and SE. The Blue leads the trims when it comes to fuel economy. It’s also got heated outside mirrors, remote keyless entry, and 12-volt outlets. It also includes a six-speaker stereo system, USB ports, and auxiliary audio jacks. The GLS has optional Bluetooth and steering-wheel audio controls. Navigation is not available. The SE gets 16” alloy wheels, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and optional heated front seats.
Driver assists aren’t as widespread in the 2010 Hyundai Elantra, but all models have six front, roof, and side airbags. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the Elantra an ‘acceptable’ rating, with top scores on frontal impact crash tests.
The 2010 Ford Focus also has three trim choices: the SE, SES, and SEL. It also has six standard airbags, like the Elantra. Again, like the Elantra, the Focus received an ‘acceptable’ IIHS safety rating.
Navigation isn’t available here either. Keyless entry is part of Ford’s Sync connectivity. The base SE trim includes an optional Sirius radio feature, an eight-speaker AM/FM stereo, and a CD player. The SES and SEL models spruce up the interior with leather upholstery as an option. Adding some flair to the outside, the SES comes with 17” aluminum wheels, too.
A Focused Ford is Hard to Beat
This has been a fairly even comparison throughout most of the categories. The 2010 Ford Focus edges out the 2010 Hyundai Elantra when it comes to gas mileage, but barely. The Elantra does win when it comes to overall interior space for passengers and cargo. Both vehicles are comfortable and have basic elements of comfort, entertainment, and safety.
It may come down to the performance. While the Elantra drives well, the Focus wins with the handling. There’s a reason the Ford Focus was one of our chosen ‘Top 10 Compact Cars for Under $10,000.’ When it comes to trim, the Ford Focus SE is perfectly acceptable, but if you can find a good deal for the Ford Focus SEL on Carsforsale.com, you may as well go with that. Enjoy those extra features and upgraded upholstery. If your heart is completely set on the Elantra, then SE is probably the best bet. Again, it has those extra conveniences.
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