Chevrolet Cruze Review

The Chevrolet Cruze does not have history on its side. The Chevrolet division of General Motors has historically done "big" well: big trucks, big family sedans and big V8 muscle cars. When it comes to small cars, though, the General hasn't been so good, with the lamentable Cavalier and Cobalt being the two most recent examples. But that's all changing now with the introduction of the compact Chevrolet Cruze sedan, an honest first-class upgrade that leaves pedestrian design and suspect quality behind in favor of well-rounded sophistication that meets its world-class competition head-on.

Mirroring the approach taken with the successful midsize Malibu, the smaller Cruze sports Chevy's familiar face and harmonious "coupelike" styling. The Cruze offers a pair of small but lively four-cylinder engines -- including a 1.4-liter turbo -- that deliver competitive performance and impressive fuel economy of up to 40 mpg. Its handling is sharp and precise, but the most welcome improvements involve a roomy cabin and vastly improved styling and quality.

So the Chevrolet Cruze is now class-competitive, but we're not ready to declare it a leader quite yet since it competes with several other excellent compact sedans from Honda, Hyundai, Kia and Mazda. Yet the wholly competent new Cruze shows that Chevrolet can now do "small" as well as "big."

Current Chevrolet Cruze
The Chevrolet Cruze is a five-passenger compact sedan new for 2011 and offered in LS, 1LT, 2LT and LTZ trim, plus a fuel-sipping LS Eco version. A 1.8-liter inline-4 generating 136 horsepower motivates the Cruze LS, while the Eco, LT and LTZ models upgrade to a turbocharged 1.4-liter engine with 138 hp and significantly more torque. Base LS and LS Ecos transmit their power through a standard six-speed manual transmission, while uplevel Cruzes are equipped with a six-speed automatic that's optional on the others. Acceleration is competitive, with 0-60-mph acceleration in the 9-10-second range. More important, Eco models are expected to lead the compact segment with up to 40 mpg on the highway.

Regardless of trim, the Cruze is well equipped as even the base LS gets air-conditioning, full power accessories, keyless entry, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, OnStar, 10 standard airbags, 60/40 split-rear seat and a six-speaker CD/MP3 stereo with satellite radio and auxiliary audio jack. The LS Eco is optimized for maximum mileage with low-rolling-resistance tires, lightweight 17-inch wheels, a 1.4-liter turbo engine and an innovative shutter system behind the grille that opens and closes automatically to reduce aerodynamic drag and increase efficiency.

The LT comes in two variations: the 1LT starts off with the 1.4-liter turbo, color-keyed mirrors and one-touch power driver's window; the 2LT then adds 16-inch five-spoke alloy wheels, remote ignition, cruise control, leather upholstery, heated front seats, a power driver seat, Bluetooth, steering wheel audio controls and an iPod/USB interface. The top-of-the-line Cruze LTZ fits larger 18-inch five-spoke alloys, a sport suspension, four-wheel disc brakes, automatic climate control and rear parking sensors. Some of the Cruze's premium features are available on lower trim levels as stand-alone or packaged options. Navigation, a sunroof and an RS appearance package with foglights, spoiler and other styling tweaks are also available on LTs and LTZs.

Taking center stage inside the Chevy Cruze's cabin is a dual-cowl dash layout seen most recently on the Equinox and Malibu. Two-tone color options combine with a high level of fit and finish to create a stylish and upscale cockpit-oriented environment, though the Cruze still makes use of some cheap, hard plastic trim.

The supportive and highly adjustable front seats are a pleasant place to be, with the generously sized cabin offering plenty of elbow room. The backseat cushion, however, is positioned low to compensate for the Cruze's sloping roof line, which may compromise seat comfort for those with longer limbs. If you're tall, grab the keys or be sure to call "shotgun." The generously sized Cruze also offers an above-average trunk capable of swallowing up to 15 cubic feet of cargo. On the move, the Cruze's handling dynamics are surprisingly athletic even on standard suspension cars, yet the Cruze still manages to deliver a comfortable and controlled ride that's the equal of any competitor.