Chevrolet Cruze

[tjl]

Not really in the same class, since it is bigger and more expensive (more of a Focus or Elantra competitor), but all of the Chevrolet Cruze's EPA fuel economy numbers are now available:

LS 1.8 manual: 26/36
LS 1.8 automatic: 22/35
LT/LTZ 1.4 automatic: 24/36
Eco 1.4 manual: 28/42
Eco 1.4 automatic: 26/37

(LT and LTZ are only available in automatic.)

Quite a variation for different powertrains that are all likely to have similar performance.

[tallguy2.3]

Checked out the Cruze a bit before the AZ International Auto Show opened (I was there early because I was working it) and I am underwhelmed at the Cruze. It's another crappy small car from Chevy. Ford has stepped up in a big way with the new Focus but the Cruze is no big benefit over the outgoing Cobalt. It may get good mpg, but it's just not a nice place to sit. Why would you spend $20,000 to spend hours and hours in a car that is inferior to another car that is the same price and gets the same mpg?

/endrant

[Audrey]

Similarly to tallguy's comments: I don't understand where the market for this car is. It isn't an economy box and it isn't really better than a Colbalt in any significant way. They should have revamped the Cobalt instead. I prefer for brands to keep their model lineup trim but meaningful than to offer bloat like this this. I am excited by the MPG and the front-end isn't as bad as most Chevys.

[PowerShift]

It's that city mpg that really gets me. If I'd got the LS I'd only be getting 22 mpg in city driving (which is most of what I do). That's barely better than the dinosaur I was driving before.

[biggieou]

Per GM quality issues, ALL Cruze's are being recalled because of transmission issues! GM never ceases to amaze me!

http://www.cleveland.com/frontpage/i...age_f_656.html

[733]

@ biggie: CLASSIC! I have never been a fan of Chevy's. Whenever I've either ridden or driven them, it's just plain. There's no excitement to them, they are just bland.

Also, with that recent post you made, pretty much sums up what I was going to say about them before.

You beat me to the chase

[BigEd]

It sounds like a build issue rather than a parts quality issue. I wonder if a human or robot installed these two parts...

[bustonit]

I didn't sit in one yet, but got to see one close up on the road. The Cruze looks like an appliance. It just seems so underwhelming in the appearance department. After reading the comparisons out there, it would be a waste of time to look at a Cruze when the Focus is available.

[biggieou]

@733, great minds think alike I suppose!!! I am extremely anti-GM, so my opinion is biased, but the Cruze does nothing for me. I will say though that it is a big step up from the Cobalt.

[Captainmorbid]

I like some GM cars, mostly their euro market stuff. The cruze seems like GM wants Toyota's market share soo bad they built their own corolla. Or is it a forte? Either way it resembles boring.