PRICE/AS-TESTED PRICE $20,675/$21,890
MILEAGE 36 MPG (HWY); 24 MPG (CITY)
ENGINE 1.4-LITER TURBOCHRGD 4-CYLNDR
DRIVE WHEELS FRONT-WHEEL DRIVE
TRANSMISSION 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC
HORSEPOWER/TORQUE 138/148
HOW MANY IT CAN FIT 5
ANTILOCK BRAKES YES
ANTISKID SYSTEM YES
CUPHOLDERS 4
FOLDING REAR SEAT YES
TRUNK PASS-THROUGH NO
STEERING WHEEL AUDIO YES
DVD PLAYER NO
SATELLITE RADIO YES
POWER SUNROOF NO
LEATHER UPHOLSTERY YES
POWER FRONT SEATS DRIVER’S
HEATED FRONT SEATS YES
AUTO-OFF HEADLIGHTS YES
HEATED MIRRORS NO
POWER LOCKS YES
REMOTE ENTRY YES
KEYLESS STAR NO
UNIVERSAL GARAGE OPENER NO
HANDS-FREE PHONE YES
If the Chevrolet Cobalt wasn’t a tired car in the General Motors’ stable, indications were out there that the public was just tired of the Cobalt. A renaissance is at hand.
The 2011 Chevy Cruze is a slick new entry in the compact class, maybe not so much with its outward visual cues, but rather with its overall quality and capabilities.
The Cruze puts big space in a small area, has a perky engine choice and gets up to 36 mpg on the highway.
While the Cruze is already being driven around the world by more than a quarter-million people, American drivers will get their cars produced at the Ohio plant in Lordstown.
Taking on the Cruze this week are Wheels Editor Jimmy Dinsmore and freelance writer Dave Mikesell.
Jimmy: Subtle differences exist in the appearance of the Cruze versus the Cobalt. The length and width of the two vehicles are almost identical so the look of the Cruze is really just a more modern, updated look. The Cruze presents a sportier grille than the more dated Cobalt, and the rear bumper definitely reveals a more curvacious and impressive look
Dave: The interior is where the Cruze really shines. As expected from GM products, controls are large and handy and gauges easy to read. The materials involved seem to be of good quality, too, and there is just an overall solid feeling to the cabin.
Most noteworthy is the space for both people and cargo. There is 95 cubic feet of space for up to five passengers, which is an excellent figure for this category. Driver and front-seat passenger will have no shortage of leg room. The trunks has 15.4 cubic feet of space; again, a leader among competitors like the Ford Focus, Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla.
Jimmy: Dave and I both drove the 1.4-liter Ecotec engine, with six-speed automatic transmission. Adding the sixth gear was something GM engineers have made a point to do with many of their new vehicles and it’s been something of a success (the Cobalt sported a more sluggish transmission system).
For a family vehicle, the Cruze has adequate acceleration thanks to the turbocharger (which is standard on the Ecotec engine). This boosts power and improves fuel economy and while the efficient Cruze engine technically has less horsepower than the Cobalt (155 HP to 138 HP) you certainly don’t notice a difference. The handling feels comfortable and safe, which is what is to be expected from a family sedan.
Dave: The driving experience may not be like that of a sports car — and if you expect a replication, you have very high hopes — but there is certainly nothing disagreeable about getting around. Well mannered in corners, a pleasant ride on the optional 17-inch wheels and quiet throughout the cabin give off the vibe that this is a car with a higher sticker than what will show in the window.
Jimmy: Four different models of the Cruze are available starting with the base LS, which has a MSRP of $16,995. The LS, being the base model, lacks some of the luxuries of the 1LT, 2LT and LTZ, like heated seats, telescopic steering column and leather-wrapped steering knob. The 1LT starts at $18,895, the 2LT at $21,395 and the LTZ at $22,695. Families, who will be the main consumer, can rest assured as safety features like stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes and tire-pressure monitoring are standard on all models.
Dave: The 2LT that I drove also came with a number of upgrades that made for good value. Leather upholstery, heated front seats, power driver’s seat, cruise control, steering wheel radio controls, remote engine start, wireless Bluetooth and alloy wheels make this a smart pickup. Even with the larger wheels (replacing 16-inchers) and a compact spare tire the bottom line is less than $22K. That’s good.
Jimmy: GM, and Chevy, are heeding the government’s advice and listening to the consumer by creating more modern, family-friendly, and fuel-efficient cars. The Cruze typifies GM’s renaissance by offering the fuel economy of a compact vehicle, but the spaciousness that families will appreciate.
About the Author