Kelley Blue Book's Kbb.com Releases All-New Compact Sedan Comparison Test

IRVINE, Calif., Aug. 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The expert editors from Kelley Blue Book's www.kbb.com, the leading provider of new car and used car information, today release the results of their all-new 2011 / 2012 Compact Sedan Comparison Test.  

The four new compact sedans in this test – Chevrolet Cruze, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, and Hyundai Elantra – each represent a fresh-foot forward for their manufacturers and represent some of the most popular vehicles in this important segment.  During the comprehensive testing of these vehicles, the kbb.com editors gave each model an overall rating as well as specific ratings based on interior, exterior, performance, comfort/convenience and value.  In their story, kbb.com's editors provide deep insight into each of the four vehicles and how they compare to one another to help consumers choose the right car for their needs.  

When the editors ultimately tallied the score sheets, the Honda Civic and Hyundai Elantra tied for first place, each scoring 7.5 out of 10 possible points in the overall ratings.  Though their overall scores were the same, the two winners captured the top spot with dramatically different strong and weak points.  The Elantra outshined the others in the style and design ratings, while the Civic cleaned up in the performance and value categories.  Rounding out the comparison, the Ford Focus finished third, and the Chevrolet Cruze finished fourth, but the strength of each model demonstrated the strong advances being made in the compact car segment.

"At some point in time, most everyone drives a compact sedan, whether it is a commuter car, second car, empty nester car or even a rental car," said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com.  "Because this vehicle class is an inevitable part of most American drivers' lives, we wanted to put the top new models up against each other head-to-head to see how they would fare.  While the caliber of vehicles is better than ever in the compact sedan category across the board, each model proved to have different strengths and weaknesses that potential buyers should know about before they make their final decision.  The cars are in the same segment, but they certainly aren't the same, and we found that each meets the needs of a particular set of consumers."

To see all of the information about the all-new compact sedan comparison test from kbb.com, including full editorial commentary and scoring details for each vehicle, visit the 2011 / 2012 Compact Sedan Comparison Test story in kbb.com's Latest News section at http://kbb.com/car-news/all-the-latest/2011-2012-compact-sedan-comparison-test/.

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About Kelley Blue Book (www.kbb.com)

Founded in 1926, Kelley Blue Book, The Trusted Resource®, is the only vehicle valuation and information source trusted and relied upon by both consumers and the industry. Each week the company provides the most market-reflective values in the industry on its top-rated website www.kbb.com, including its famous Blue Book® Trade-In and Retail Values and Fair Purchase Price, which reports what others are paying for new cars this week. The company also provides vehicle pricing and values through various products and services available to car dealers, auto manufacturers, finance and insurance companies as well as governmental agencies. Kbb.com provides consumer pricing and information on minivans, pickup-trucks, cars, hybrids and SUVs. Kelley Blue Book Co. Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of AutoTrader.com.

SOURCE Kelley Blue Book