Good For: Experiencing all sorts of luxuries in an inexpensive car. I've always loved that GM is willing to put simple, useful electronics in even their inexpensive cars, and I like the next step they have taken with the Cruze. The one-line display in the gauges has been replaced with a big screen in the middle, much like what you see in the Escalade, but even better: the tire pressure monitor has a cool display, and when you activate cruise control it actually gives you full feedback - "Cruise set to 60 mph". This is feature I have always wanted in a car! Speaking of feedback, there is a large screen at the top of the center stack that not only gives you the date, time, temperature, and audio information, but it displays climate control changes too. There are numerous other classy touches, like the VW-style folding key fob.
Compromises: All Cruzes are turbocharged. Before you get too excited though, this is a 1.4L motor hauling 3100 pounds of car - so it is no hot rod. But they did a good job with the Cruze - it pretty much drives like a naturally aspirated car. It has a normal amount of power, and the exhaust note even sounds better than many 2+ liter motors. Hopefully, after GM has convinced everyone of turbocharging's relavency in the future of automobiles, they will throw a bone over to the enthusiasts again. SS model with a loud intake and no mufflers please? Some us like hearing that our car is turbocharged when we drive it.
Overall reaction - Thumb up: Chevrolet delivers again, building a car that is not just transportation but also a pleasant experience. The chassis feels really good, and a 6-speed manual is available if you like shifting.
Saturday, 18th of June, 2011
Saturday, 4th of June, 2011
Thursday, 2nd of June, 2011