Chevrolet Cruze - Cruizin' for a Chevy
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| Chevrolet Cruze - Cruizin' for a Chevy |
Like Ford, Chevrolet wisely looked to its European compatriots for essential engineering. It isn’t that American’s can’t build good small cars; we’re certainly capable. But, Europeans know compacts like we know full-size pickups. It makes sense to have centers of excellence, allowing the best to focus on their trades. Using the successful Opel Astra as a starting point, final development was carried out by GM Daewoo in South Korea.
Exterior design is a continuation of themes set by the Chevy Cobalt, Malibu, and Equinox. A large body-color cross-bar grille is pure Chevy while an arching roofline, subtle body sculpting, and large wrap-around taillamps give the car a modern upscale appearance. In LS trim, 16” steel wheels are covered with alloy-colored hubcaps. Choosing the LT or LTZ package brings very sporty-looking five-spoke wheels with low-profile tires. Choose dark blue paint to out-stealth a government agent.
If you want a hint at future Chevy interiors blink your eyes quickly inside the Cruze. A twin-dash lay-out echoes the Malibu and can be coordinated with contrasting color inserts like its bigger sibling. Our test car came with gray padded inserts and gray cloth seats - not incredibly exciting, but the options list is long to personalize your Cruze in virtually any hue. As with other new GM cars, audio and climate controls are arranged in a center pod with high dash read-out. I like the perfectly-sized sport steering wheel, piano black finish in the center, chrome bezels around air vents, and supportive bucket seats.
The car is relatively inexpensive, but the interior does not feel cheap. XM Satellite radio, USB input for iPods, power windows, huge cupholders, split-folding rear seat, CD player, and tilt/telescoping steering column should please buyers. A leather wrapped steering wheel would be a nice upgrade over standard rubber on the LS. Chevy commercials make a big deal about the Cruze’s quiet ride. That’s no joke - the car is Buick quiet on the highway, making it a joy to listen to the audio system.
Base models come standard with a 138-HP 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine with a six-speed manual transmission. A smooth-shifting six-speed automatic is a $925 option. Up-level Cruze models are available with a 1.4-litre turbocharged engine that generates the same peak horsepower, but does so at 2500 rpm less and with an additional 23 lb.-ft. of torque - both sure to be felt off the line. The sedan’s smooth shape enables fuel economy ratings of 22/35-MPG city/hwy.
Either engine produces plenty of power to step away from stop lights or enter freeways without concern. I drove an LS with the non-turbo engine over 200 miles on the Interstate and two-lane highways. I had no problem keeping up with 80-MPH traffic or passing trucks on two-lane backroads. The turbo would have given it even more grunt. The six-speed automatic transmission was impeccably smooth. I wish engineers had dialed in more of the heavy-feeling Opel Astra, but the Cruze’s light reflexes should be perfect for most drivers.
Cruze will offer a wide range of options to take the sedan from a solid commuter to a near-luxury sport sedan. Heated leather seats, rear park assist, 18” alloys, automatic climate control, remote start, Bluetooth, cruise control, 4-wheel disc brakes, and self-dimming rearview mirror are all available. Best of all, the car meets NHTSA 5-Star ratings in each crash category! We’ll find out soon enough if the Cruze is up to competitive challenges on the horizon, but when small car battles break out, GM hopes you’ll be cruizin’ for a Chevy. Price as tested came to an economical $18,375.
- it better be great!By Casey Williams - MyCarData
