s said to be the replacement for the Cobalt in Chevrolet's product lineup.Exterior styling aims to provide owners with a sporty, sophisticated look while at the same time retaining key family styling cues, such as Holden’s trapezoidal grill.In profile the Cruze features both convex and concave curves to offer a unique yet modern design language while at the same time reducing the number of seams and gaps for an all round better finish (all gaps less than 3mm).
At the rear, dual circular lamps sit within a red tinted lens assembly outboard of a chrome garnish that defines the bootlid’s waist line. The bootlid also serves purpose as being specially designed to act as an aerodynamically efficient trailing edge for the car further reducing drag and saving fuel.
With a wide stance, and short overhangs the stylish exterior appearance really only tells half of the story when it comes to the design, and overall fit and finish of this car with just as much thought behind the scenes as is presented outwardly.
Cruze is available in eight different paint finishes (two solid and six metallic) and features 16-inch steel wheels on the base-spec CD and 17-inch alloy wheels on the top-spec CDX.
Paint colours are as follows:
Arctic White Chilli Red Mercury Silver (M) Pewter Grey (M) Light Gold (M) Carbon Flash Black (M) Iced Blue (M) Moroccan Blue (M) Once inside the Cruze aims to create a sporty, comfortable and spacious “dual-cockpit” layout which has drawn influence from all GM markets during its conception.
Retaining similar styling themes as found externally on the vehicle - such as trapezoidal shaping (note centre air-conditioning/infotainment stack) and tight tolerances - the Cruze offers many features as standard that some rivals consider “extras” or simply do not offer at all.
A tilt/slide adjustable three-spoke steering wheel offers a thick grip, leather clad on CDX, along with both audio and cruise controls, which are incidentally standard on both model grades.
The use of all available space is evident through Cruze’s many storage compartments as is the obvious maximising of available cabin space, perhaps most noticeably in the offering of 917mm of rear leg room.
The driving position is comfortable, the pedal box well positioned and reduction in wind and road noise pleasing on all but the most coarse of rural roads.
Instrumentation is logical and concise while still offering a full-trip computer to compliment the four-gauge layout.
Featuring intuitive, simple and logically placed controls and switch gear the Cruze is afforded a pleasant, clean and modern decor using a mixture of colours and textures through all inter-relating materials to assist in a feeling of fluidity and refinement not usually found in cars of this price range.
The base model Cruze CD offers a two-tone sports mesh (cloth) trim with silver and matt black highlights while the CDX gains heated leather upholstery, gloss highlights with chrome and silver accents.
Both Cruze models feature an MP3 compatible single CD tuner with iPod connectivity, express up/down power windows with anti-pinch function, two flip keys, delayed theatre style cabin lighting, full trip computer, cruise control and 60:40 split fold rear seats with a built-in articulating arm rest.
CDX gains front fog lamps, the afore mentioned heated leather trim, rear park assist, and dusk sensing headlamps.
Notably, Cruze misses out on Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity, a six-CD stacker and satellite navigation - even as optional equipment.
Cargo capacity on all Cruze (sedan) variants is 400 litres with the seats up.
Interior Dimensions are as follows:
Leg: 1074mm(F)/917 (R) Shoulder: 1391(F)/1370 (R) Head: 999 (F)/963 (R) Under the bonnet Cruze features the choice of petrol or diesel four-cylinder engines mated to either a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission with Active Select - though we should point out that at this stage, the diesel is only available in CD spec.
The engines are set in a four-mount cradle and are mounted on a slight angle, specifically tuned to the engine’s inherent torque axis, so as to minimise the transfer of vibration and noise.The 1.8-litre Family I, Generation III petrol unit manages 104kW at 6200rpm with thanks to dual continuously variable valve timing, twin continuously adjustable camshafts and a two-step intake manifold with a rotary sleeve (instead of flaps) to minimise any flow losses.
Developing 176Nm of torque, 90 per cent of which is available from between 2200rpm and 6200rpm, the engine isn’t exactly a powerhouse, but manages to achieve decent performance if kept in the upper reaches of the tach.
The petrol engine is capable of running on 91 - 98 RON fuel and is E10 compatible.
However, for my money the pick of the pair is easily the 2.0-litre, intercooled, turbo-diesel unit that utilises common-rail injection and a variable geometry turbo to develop 110kW at 4000rpm and 320Nm, which again offers 90 per cent of its power across a wide band - this time between 1750rpm and 3500rpm
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