Chevrolet Cruze 1.6 vs Hyundai Elantra 1.6 vs Nissan Sylphy 1.6
06 Jun 2016|134,136 views
The Monetary Authority of Singapore's (MAS) eased car loan guidelines have made the financing of a car easier, and brought crowds to car showrooms. The MAS' new rules encourage those who have been perching on the fence to get one, as the down payment amounts have gone down.
Many of the cars that benefit from this move are motoring staples, like the Chevrolet Cruze 1.6, the new Hyundai Elantra 1.6 GLS Elite and the Nissan Sylphy 1.6 Premium Signature Series.
The newest kid on the block is the new Hyundai Elantra and as we've found out, the car is a superb machine that's priced very reasonably. But does the Elantra shine as bright when grouped alongside the others?
Before car sales boom and the Certificate of Entitlement premiums inevitably rise, here's a test to help you make a more informed decision, should a compact family sedan be next on your wish list.
Exterior
The Cruze you're looking at has received Chevrolet's latest makeover but not much has changed design-wise. That isn't a bad thing because the Cruze remains a fairly handsome car, characterised by a chunky, muscular body and a bold front end.
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Next to the Cruze, the Elantra's balanced proportions and angular creases shines. A sharp, sharking voluminous snout is sporty in comparison to the Cruz and Sylphy, and should seduce younger drivers, in terms of design.
Like the Cruze, the Sylphy is chunky. But, the Sylphy has sharper lines and sexier curves than box-like Cruze. The reason for the Sylphy's fancy image, fancier than the Elantra as well, is the Signature Series kit that it's clothed in.
The Signature Series kit gives the Sylphy a lower, sportier stance and premium-looking touches, which are found on cars more luxurious.
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Interior
Inside, the Cruze loses some points to the other two cars. Cabin design, though neat and simple, is dated and unenticing. Another reason for the cabin's failure to score is the cheap-ish plastics that make up the interior panels - you don't have to touch them to know, you realise just by looking.
But to be fair, the $97,999 (as of 19th May 2016) Cruze is about $6,000 cheaper than the $103,999 (as of 27th May 2016) Elantra and $103,988 (as of 31st May 2016) Sylphy. So don't expect to be pampered by niceties like dual-zone air-conditioning, unlike in the other two cars.
Space-wise, the Cruze is reasonably comfortable, whichever seat you travel in. In this respect, the more economical Cruze puts up a good fight. However, if your family is big on grocery runs and Ikea hauls, the Cruze's 450 litre boot isn't so ideal. The Elantra edges out with its 458 litres and the Sylphy takes the cake - 520 litres.
Plus, entry to the Cruze's trunk is gained only by means of a catch in the cabin - not a convenient nor clever design in our opinion.
The cabin of the Elantra is more modern, rich in amenities and has a nicer quality finish. Here are some of the ways in which, the Hyundai outshines the competition.
For starters, the driver gets an electric seat that's got memory functions. Both the driver and shotgun, too, enjoy cool air blowing down places where the sun doesn't shine, from the ventilated seats and a dual-zone automatic temperature control system. For the most part, you tend to forget that you're at the helm of a bread-and-butter Korean sedan.
Behind, however, space isn't as generous as in the Cruze or Sylphy. In that respect, the Sylphy wins.
The Sylphy, too, has the plushest seats, making it the most comfortable car in the group test. The Nissan's compromise, though, is a cabin design that is aimed to stir the souls of golden-agers.
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The Drive
On paper, the Cruze is the slowest from 0-100km/h, taking 12.5 seconds to complete the sprint, but that won't bother those that end up buying one. Despite not being particularly eager to hit 100km/h, the Cruze is quite eager from start - responsive low end, and has a decent amount of power and torque for an econo-box. If figures mean anything to you, the Cruze has 115bhp and 157Nm of torque, sent to its front wheels.
Ride quality, although on the firm side of things, isn't harsh and doesn't send much discomfort into the cabin. In truth, we didn't expect the Cruze's suspension to retort as nicely as it did.
The Elantra's got a bit more power but fewer torque digits than the Cruze - 126bhp and 155Nm. The Korean compact is also the fastest to 100km/h, taking almost a second faster than the Cruze at 11.6 seconds.
Compared to the Cruze and Sylphy, the Elantra's powertrain is punchier and more alive. Because of that, and the car's sorted suspension, the Elantra is the most fun to chuck around. Surprisingly, given how sporty the car drives, comfort isn't compromised - not one bit.
In the Sylphy, horsepower, torque and 0-100km/h timings don't bear any significance because this car isn't made for fun. Yes, the Sylphy may be slightly faster than the Cruze despite a power and torque disadvantage and yes, the Sylphy's autobox named, Xtronic CVT, does sound quite sporty, but nothing about its drive is.
Because it runs a continuously-variable gearbox, there isn't much engagement from the powertrain. So to enjoy the Sylphy, you have to bask in the grace and poise of the car. Again, like the comfy seats on the inside, the Sylphy, on the road, is a plush drive. Suspension setup is tilted towards comfort more than anything else and this could be the Sylphy's greatest draw for customers who aren't big on fun.
Conclusion
If you can look past the car's plasticky interior, the Chevrolet Cruze isn't a bad buy, considering its price tag. And if riding on a cloud is your cup of tea, there is the Nissan Sylphy.
On the other hand, for a compact family sedan that is an absolute bang-for-buck machine, which punches above its grade, there probably isn't any smarter choice than the Hyundai Elantra. It's sharp-looking and generously furnished.
The Monetary Authority of Singapore's (MAS) eased car loan guidelines have made the financing of a car easier, and brought crowds to car showrooms. The MAS' new rules encourage those who have been perching on the fence to get one, as the down payment amounts have gone down.
Many of the cars that benefit from this move are motoring staples, like the Chevrolet Cruze 1.6, the new Hyundai Elantra 1.6 GLS Elite and the Nissan Sylphy 1.6 Premium Signature Series.
The newest kid on the block is the new Hyundai Elantra and as we've found out, the car is a superb machine that's priced very reasonably. But does the Elantra shine as bright when grouped alongside the others?
Before car sales boom and the Certificate of Entitlement premiums inevitably rise, here's a test to help you make a more informed decision, should a compact family sedan be next on your wish list.
Exterior
The Cruze you're looking at has received Chevrolet's latest makeover but not much has changed design-wise. That isn't a bad thing because the Cruze remains a fairly handsome car, characterised by a chunky, muscular body and a bold front end.
Next to the Cruze, the Elantra's balanced proportions and angular creases shines. A sharp, sharking voluminous snout is sporty in comparison to the Cruz and Sylphy, and should seduce younger drivers, in terms of design.
Like the Cruze, the Sylphy is chunky. But, the Sylphy has sharper lines and sexier curves than box-like Cruze. The reason for the Sylphy's fancy image, fancier than the Elantra as well, is the Signature Series kit that it's clothed in.
The Signature Series kit gives the Sylphy a lower, sportier stance and premium-looking touches, which are found on cars more luxurious.
Interior
Inside, the Cruze loses some points to the other two cars. Cabin design, though neat and simple, is dated and unenticing. Another reason for the cabin's failure to score is the cheap-ish plastics that make up the interior panels - you don't have to touch them to know, you realise just by looking.
But to be fair, the $97,999 (as of 19th May 2016) Cruze is about $6,000 cheaper than the $103,999 (as of 27th May 2016) Elantra and $103,988 (as of 31st May 2016) Sylphy. So don't expect to be pampered by niceties like dual-zone air-conditioning, unlike in the other two cars.
Space-wise, the Cruze is reasonably comfortable, whichever seat you travel in. In this respect, the more economical Cruze puts up a good fight. However, if your family is big on grocery runs and Ikea hauls, the Cruze's 450 litre boot isn't so ideal. The Elantra edges out with its 458 litres and the Sylphy takes the cake - 520 litres.
Plus, entry to the Cruze's trunk is gained only by means of a catch in the cabin - not a convenient nor clever design in our opinion.
The cabin of the Elantra is more modern, rich in amenities and has a nicer quality finish. Here are some of the ways in which, the Hyundai outshines the competition.
For starters, the driver gets an electric seat that's got memory functions. Both the driver and shotgun, too, enjoy cool air blowing down places where the sun doesn't shine, from the ventilated seats and a dual-zone automatic temperature control system. For the most part, you tend to forget that you're at the helm of a bread-and-butter Korean sedan.
Behind, however, space isn't as generous as in the Cruze or Sylphy. In that respect, the Sylphy wins.
The Sylphy, too, has the plushest seats, making it the most comfortable car in the group test. The Nissan's compromise, though, is a cabin design that is aimed to stir the souls of golden-agers.
The Drive
On paper, the Cruze is the slowest from 0-100km/h, taking 12.5 seconds to complete the sprint, but that won't bother those that end up buying one. Despite not being particularly eager to hit 100km/h, the Cruze is quite eager from start - responsive low end, and has a decent amount of power and torque for an econo-box. If figures mean anything to you, the Cruze has 115bhp and 157Nm of torque, sent to its front wheels.
Ride quality, although on the firm side of things, isn't harsh and doesn't send much discomfort into the cabin. In truth, we didn't expect the Cruze's suspension to retort as nicely as it did.
The Elantra's got a bit more power but fewer torque digits than the Cruze - 126bhp and 155Nm. The Korean compact is also the fastest to 100km/h, taking almost a second faster than the Cruze at 11.6 seconds.
Compared to the Cruze and Sylphy, the Elantra's powertrain is punchier and more alive. Because of that, and the car's sorted suspension, the Elantra is the most fun to chuck around. Surprisingly, given how sporty the car drives, comfort isn't compromised - not one bit.
In the Sylphy, horsepower, torque and 0-100km/h timings don't bear any significance because this car isn't made for fun. Yes, the Sylphy may be slightly faster than the Cruze despite a power and torque disadvantage and yes, the Sylphy's autobox named, Xtronic CVT, does sound quite sporty, but nothing about its drive is.
Because it runs a continuously-variable gearbox, there isn't much engagement from the powertrain. So to enjoy the Sylphy, you have to bask in the grace and poise of the car. Again, like the comfy seats on the inside, the Sylphy, on the road, is a plush drive. Suspension setup is tilted towards comfort more than anything else and this could be the Sylphy's greatest draw for customers who aren't big on fun.
Conclusion
If you can look past the car's plasticky interior, the Chevrolet Cruze isn't a bad buy, considering its price tag. And if riding on a cloud is your cup of tea, there is the Nissan Sylphy.
On the other hand, for a compact family sedan that is an absolute bang-for-buck machine, which punches above its grade, there probably isn't any smarter choice than the Hyundai Elantra. It's sharp-looking and generously furnished.
Photos by Low Fai Ming
Car Information
Nissan Sylphy 1.6 Premium Signature Series (A)
CAT A|Petrol|16.1km/L
Horsepower
85kW (114 bhp)
Torque
154 Nm
Acceleration
11.7sec (0-100km /hr)
This model is no longer being sold by local distributor
All Used Nissan SylphyHyundai Elantra 1.6 GLS Elite (A)
CAT A|Petrol|15.6km/L
Horsepower
94kW (126 bhp)
Torque
155 Nm
Acceleration
11.6sec (0-100km /hr)
This model is no longer being sold by local distributor
All Used Hyundai ElantraChevrolet Cruze 1.6 (A)
CAT A|Petrol|13.9km/L
Horsepower
86kW (115 bhp)
Torque
157 Nm
Acceleration
12.5sec (0-100km /hr)
This model is no longer being sold by local distributor
All Used Chevrolet Cruze
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