2012 Chevrolet Cruze review

2012 Chevrolet Cruze LT with RS package Click for larger photo. See more photos

GM Small Car Evolution

2005 Chevrolet Cavalier. (Photo: GM Canada)

Chevrolet Cobalt. (Photo: GM Canada)

Chevrolet Cruze (Photo: GM Canada)

Back in the early 2000s, if you remember, the Chevrolet Cavalier that was a small car in the Chevrolet lineup. Just looking at that vehicle then it looked like the GM was stagnant. The Cavalier with the styling from the late 80-s was produced from 1995 to 2005. In 2005 came the Cobalt that was somewhat a transitional model. Now, in 2011, here comes the Cruze; what a difference six years makes. If you'd park the Cruze and the late Chevrolet Cavalier side by side, they would look like cars from different centuries, especially inside. Finally, the GM picked up the pace and is moving forward in what seems to be very exciting direction. Hopefully the GM is improving the reliability of its products too.

If you'd ask a teenager these days which car they'd like, chances are, the answer will be the late Mitsubishi Lancer. It was my teenage son's favorite car too. However, after looking at the Cruze, now he is hesitant to choose between the two. The Cruze certainly looks very sporty, appealing and even better inside. It's definitely not the usual budget small car we have seen for years.

Already well received in Europe and Asia, the Chevrolet Cruze debuted in US and Canada as a 2011 model and right from the start it was met with a lot of excitement. What is it that makes the Cruze special?
Well-designed inside and out, the Cruze certainly feels like more expensive vehicle, especially inside.
The safety ratings are good too. With strong body structure and class-leading 10 standard airbags, Chevrolet Cruze received 2011 IIHS Top Safety Pick and five out of five stars in the NHTSA crash tests. The StabiliTrak electronic stability control with rollover mitigation, traction control and anti-lock brakes are standard.
On the road, the Cruze handles very well and the ride quality is also worth mentioning.
Rated at 28/42 MPG (8.4/5.6 L/100 km) city/hwy by the EPA, the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze Eco with a 6-speed manual transmission has the best in class highway fuel economy after hybrids and electric vehicles. In addition, the Cruze is backed by GM's five-year or 100,000-mile (160,000-km in Canada) powertrain warranty.

The 2012 Chevrolet Cruze is available in LS, LT, top-of-the-line LTZ and Eco trim levels with different packages and options. The Cruze is available with either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission. The base LS model comes with a 1.8L 4-cylinder engine. The LT, LTZ and Eco feature a 1.4L 4-cylinder engine with a turbocharger. A turbocharger uses the power of the exhaust gases to pump more air into the engine intake. This allows to produce more power from a smaller engine. With a turbocharger, you can enjoy the fuel economy of a smaller engine, yet have more power when you need to pass or merge on the highway. As fuel-economy standards get tougher, we will see more turbocharged cars with a small engine.

For this test drive, I got the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze LT turbo with the Bluetooth/USB option, leather-wrapped steering with audio controls, and the RS Appearance Package with 18" aluminum wheels, uplevel instrument cluster, rear spoiler and fog lamps. Let's start from the cabin.

2012 Chevrolet Cruze interior. Click for larger photo

2012 Chevrolet Cruze rear seat. Click for larger photo

2012 Chevrolet Cruze trunk. Click for larger photo

2012 Chevrolet Cruze 1.4L turbo engine. Click for larger photo. See more photos

Inside the Cruze looks fresh and sharp with a well-designed dashboard, which the GM says was inspired by the iconic Corvette. Modern-styled buttons, center display and nicely illuminated controls give the Cruze a high-tech feel. The instrument panel looks very stylish with chrome trim, red needles and green and blue backlight. The only remainder of the Chevy old days is a rounded horn pad.
The front seats are very supportive; it took me half a day to get used to the driver's seat, but from the day two I felt so comfortable I didn't want to get out. Seriously, out of many cars that I test-drove, this one felt like home.
The driver's space is roomy for a small car, and with 6'2", I felt comfortable. Without a sunroof, I had about two inches above me. The visibility is good and large side mirrors help too.
Overall, the quality and feel of the interior materials is very impressive; it feels like a much more expensive car.
The three things I really appreciated are the gauges, easy-to-use controls on the steering wheel and the automatic exterior lights.
The audio system sounds very clean. The Cruze I tested had six speakers, but I noticed that there are additional places for two more large speakers in the panel under the rear window, so it won't be too difficult to add an amp and a couple more speakers. The Bluetooth/USB option is worth considering as it allows you to navigate your iPod from the steering wheel controls and you get the song information on the display.
The rear space is what you'd expect from a car of this size; the trunk is quite large. The rear seat folds down for extra cargo room.
The GM has done a very good job on noise reduction, as the Cruze's cabin is surprisingly quiet.
See more Chevrolet Cruze photos.

On the road, the Cruze is fun to drive with very responsive handling and good feel of the road. Take it on the highway, and it's difficult to notice the speed. With 18" wheels and good tires, the vehicle feels stable and secure. The ride is firm, but quiet. The 1.4L turbo engine is surprisingly quick, although it may feel a bit underpowered with a full load. The electric steering feels light on city roads but well balanced on the highway.
The 6-speed automatic transmission allows the Cruze to keep the engine RPMs low. Cruising at 60 mph (96 km/h) the tachometer needle stays at 2000 RPMs. The Cruze could be a good choice for people who commute a lot, given its highway fuel economy and long powertrain warranty, which is five years or 100,000 miles (160,000 km).

Being closely familiar with technical aspects of the car, I checked the Cruze in and out. Looking at the suspension and brake components, as well as under the hood, it's easy to recognize the German engineering, as many components of the car are built in a similar fashion to the likes of Audi or Volkswagen. No wonder the Cruze handles so well if it's designed for the German Autobahns. Attention to details is noticeable too; I found, for example, that the plastic plugs underneath the car are additionally sealed with some sealer for tighter fit. It's nice to see a large engine undercover that protects the engine compartment from dirt and dust. Under the hood, the Cruze also looks more like a European car. It's certainly nothing like the Chevy Cavalier of early 2000s. On the downside, there are many plastic parts that may require more delicate handling when the car is serviced.

What to expect from Chevrolet Cruze in a long run? It's too early to predict, but judging from what is visible, the suspension could be a bit noisy on small potholes and cracks; the interior plastic and steering wheel could wear; the brakes could be noisy; the usual squeaks and rattles; may be some electrical issues.

A couple of thing to mention for Chevy Cruze owners: The owner's manual recommends using a Synthetic Blend for engine oil. The front end is easy to scrap by a tall curb; careful when parking. The sign under the hood warns against pressure washing the engine compartment. Water can cause problems with electronic components, and there are plenty of those.

How does the Cruze stack up against main competitors? If you ask me personally, and I have never been a GM person, but out of other small cars I'd pick the Cruze. Is it better than competitors? Well, any car is just a combination of what you like and what you don't like; there is no perfect car. Will the Cruze be more reliable than Corolla or Civic in a long run? Probably not, but if you are planning to trade it in three or four years, this shouldn't be a problem. Is it more roomy? Not really, although the trunk is larger that in many other small cars. Is it more powerful? It's a small fuel-efficient car, not a Corvette.
I'd pick the Chevrolet Cruze for its sporty look, well-designed cabin with upscale feel and beautiful instruments, and its well-controlled handling with quiet ride. It's almost like a small Audi for the price of Corolla.

The Cruze is priced comparable to other small cars. You can check the details, build your vehicle and crunch the numbers at: Chevrolet.com or GM Canada.
The U.S. and Canadian versions of the Cruze are built in Lordstown, Ohio.

2012 Chevrolet Cruze Specifications (Canadian model as tested)

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