CR Finds that Fuel Efficient Versions of Focus, Cruze and Civic May Not be Worth the Extra Cash

When is it worth paying extra money for a more fuel-efficient version of the same model? The answer to that question depends on the price of gas, how much more fuel-efficient is said car and how long it will take to recoup the added cost.

Consumer Reports (CR) set out to see if buyers would benefit in the long run by choosing the fuel-economy variants of the Ford Focus, Chevrolet Cruze and Honda Civic. While each of these models returns better mileage than their standard counterparts, they also cost between $500 and $800 more.

The following calculations were based on driving 12,000 miles (~19,300 kilometers) annually with an average gas price of $4 per gallon (€0.85/lt).

Starting with the Ford Focus, CR found that the $495 SFE (Super Fuel Economy) package, which adds flush hubcaps, a rear spoiler, and low rolling resistance tires, provides a 3-mpg improvement in overall and city fuel economy, to 31 and 21mpg, respectively.

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Chevrolet Prepares Consumers for U.S. Arrival of Diesel-Powered Cruze with Facts and Figures

Ask any European about the benefits of diesel engines in passenger cars and invariably the answer will be about fuel efficiency and increased reliability over gasoline units.

It has taken Americans more than two decades to re-embrace diesel engines after a catastrophic attempt in the 1980s, but thanks to German automakers like Volkswagen, Mercedes and BMW, and let's not forget, the rising cost of fuel, oil burners are on the menu again.

While das Germans have done most of the job of informing U.S. consumers about the new generation of diesels and how they differ from their sooty and finicky counterparts of the past, GM took a moment to introduce its side of the story as it prepares for the domestic launch of the Cruze Diesel, which arrives next year.

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Chevrolet Cruze Now Available in the UK with New 1.7-liter Diesel that Returns up to 72.4mpg

Chevrolet has announced the availability of a new and more frugal diesel engine for its UK market Cruze. The 1.7-liter VCDi unit will be offered on the five-door hatchback version of the Cruze starting in May and the newly revealed Station Wagon variant later this year.

The four-cylinder turbo diesel develops a maximum output of 128-horses (130PS) and a peak torque of 300Nm (221 lb-ft) accelerating the hatchback model from 0-60mph (96km/h) in 9.4 seconds and on to a top speed of 124mph (200km/h).

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