The Chevrolet Cruze marks a shift in the thinking of General Motors, Chevrolet's parent company. The Chevy Cruze also stands out for its safety features -- 10 airbags are standard.
The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze is a new model. Check back often for updates on the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze.
The Cruze trim levels I tested at a Washington, D.C., rollout were the 2LT, LTZ and an LTZ with the RS appearance package. Each of the test cars came with leather, a turbocharged 1.4-liter engine and a six-speed automatic transmission. Cars.com editor Mike Hanley recently drove prototype Cruzes at GM's proving grounds and reported on the high-mileage Eco model and the six-speed manual transmission.
Sixteen-inch steel wheels are standard on the Cruze LS and 1LT, and the 1LT can upgrade to 16-inch alloys. The LTZ has 18-inch silver alloy rims. In the Cruze, roominess is the word. The Cruze has a comfortable ride, a nice compromise between world-car firmness and the softness of some American-market cars.
The Cruze's drivetrains mark a change in how automakers power their cars, for a couple of reasons. Chevrolet predicts the longest zero-to-60 mph time for the turbo engine at 10 seconds in the manual Eco trim level, which is tuned for efficiency.
The Cruze features 10 standard airbags: two frontal and two knee airbags for the front occupants, seat-mounted side-impact airbags for all four outboard seats, and a pair of curtains that cover the side windows.
The newest compact C-car from Chevrolet is the Cruze � a globally engineered vehicle designed not just to compete in the growing small-car segment, but to win.
Most notably is the launch of a new turbocharged 1.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, designed to deliver the power and driving experience of a larger powerplant with class leading fuel economy. In fact, Chevy claims an ECO model (with a 6-speed manual transmission) will get 40-mpg on the highway. Added benefits of the Z-link suspension include light weight, low cost and compact dimensions, allowing the Cruze to deliver a cavernous trunk volume of 15 cubic feet.
We were impressed with the car�s road holding capabilities without the larger 18-inch wheels, complete with wider, lower profile tires � standard on top-trim LTZ models.
And the Cruze looks like it drives, with a design that�s handsome and that speaks to the vehicle�s size. Technically a mid-size car rather than a compact, due to its spacious interior, the Cruze looks even more impressive when next to the narrow track, tall-bodied competitors.
Base models come well-equipped with power windows, locks, remote entry and AC. We can�t say the interior is high quality, because this is a compact car after all. Improved as the Cruze may be, it still doesn�t deliver the Civic�s driver-oriented feel, although the Cruze was nicer on the highway with less wind noise. The Corolla�s engine/transmission combo was much smoother, although it�s interior and exterior design is lacking considerably when compared to the Chevy.
Which brings us to the Cruze�s price point. Chevy has finally built a compact car to rival the Japanese and they�ve priced it accordingly.
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