What is it?
2011 Chevrolet Cruze
What's special about it?
The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze has rolled into the 2009 L.A. Auto Show as a known quantity. Already on sale in Europe and Asia under the same name, the front-wheel-drive Cruze is yet another attempt by General Motors to sell a "world car," or a car that's already sold in various markets with very few changes for the U.S. It's a big departure from GM's previous small cars that were often built to satisfy various local markets.
With that in mind, it was no surprise to learn that the Cruze headed to the U.S. late next year will look and feel much like its European counterparts. The base engine is a 1.8-liter inline-4 making 136 horsepower and 123 pound-feet of torque. A slight upgrade will be available in the form of a turbocharged 1.4-liter four that develops 138 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque. Both engines will be offered with either a six-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission. Chevrolet says the turbocharged model could get as much as 40 mpg on the highway.
A replacement for the current Cobalt, the Cruze slots in as Chevrolet's compact sedan against the likes of the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. At 178.5 inches long and 70.7 inches wide, the Cruze is nearly identical in terms of exterior dimensions. Its 105.7-inch wheelbase is longer than the Corolla's, but just short of the Civic's, so expect similar interior space as well.
Three trim levels will be offered: LS, LT and LTZ. Base models get 16-inch wheels, while the LT and LTZ come standard with 17-inch wheels and tires. A set of 18-inch wheels is optional. Other notable options include navigation, Bluetooth connectivity and a Pioneer audio system. Sales of the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze are expected to start in the U.S. next fall.
Inside Line says: Looks like a fairly competent, full-featured compact sedan. Trouble is, there are plenty of those on the market already. — Ed Hellwig, Lead Senior Editor
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dhectorg says:
09:56 AM, 06/26/2010
As an American who loves performance as much as anyone, I am finding "horsepower fiends" increasingly annoying. My last several cars have all been small 4cyls. I currently have a 1.5L Honda Fit Sport that gets over 40mpg hwy and is a fun to drive. With the right tuning and in the right application, small engines can be amazingly fun to drive. Also, the new CAFE standards are going to get tougher every year and these small engines are a necessary part of meeting those standards. Besides, the US is just 2% of the world's population, but consumes nearly 25% of it's crude oil. Anyone who thinks that situation is sustainable is smoking crack. I applaud GM (however late to the party they are) for making the responsible choice to FINALLY offer some truly fuel efficient engines, despite what boneheaded consumers unrealistically want. That said, this new breed of small turbocharged engines are actually pretty dynamic performers AND get good mileage. What's wrong with that? It's time to get past this "my engine is bigger than your engine" nonsense and realize that we have an untenable energy crisis to deal with.
mcmanus says:
04:50 AM, 12/06/2009
I was passed on a Michigan freeway yesterday by two cars with black padded coverings and manufacturer's plates. Looked like they were both the Chevy Cruze. (What's the plural of Cruze?)
Looked very nice. GM is getting the looks down and continues to do better with quality. So I'm sure it will be an OK car. Unfortunately being just OK will keep them in the ranks of bottom feeders where they'll have to continue discounting the price.
I drive a Corolla, which like most any Toyota is boring (reliable, low maintenance, great mileage, huge resale value, but not sporty at all). I'm getting 37 mpg overall with nothing but $20 oil changes through 46,000 miles on my 2009. Steering feel is non-existent, but it does great in the snow and everything works as expected.
My Toyota dealer is excellent, but I've never had even decent luck with domestic dealerships. In smaller markets you probably only get one dealership per brand (especially for the imports), so buying decisions come down to the dealership. The domestic dealerships make the buying experience dreadful, painful, something to be avoided (like a root canal). Their service/parts departments act like its a bother that you're there except to see how much they can hassle and rip you off for. That is the reason I buy Toyota.
wikiwiki says:
01:43 PM, 12/04/2009
Might be a good car but the Civic and just about every other small car out there has nothing to worry about. I was hoping for something a lot more exciting looking. This looks like a Cobalt. Too bad.
gomer5 says:
08:39 AM, 12/04/2009
still no city or combined mileage figures, why does gm continue to hide this?
juan_mx says:
07:31 AM, 12/04/2009
I believe the 1.8L is the same engine that came with the Saturn Astra and got so..so reviews. I was hoping to get the 2.2L with this car. May be, when they realize it is not selling because of the engine, they will switch to a bigger engine.
frank908 says:
06:23 AM, 12/03/2009
Kelly's hot.
firstclass says:
06:05 AM, 12/03/2009
Speedos sell well in Europe. I'm not convinced there will ever be a global car lineup. I really want to like this car and as for the fuel economy and interior style they nailed it. Honestly 138 hp that's laughable. The lower front fascia, talk about dated. And the C-pillar with that fake window continuation. Take that off and the cruse looks like a 03 Mazda 3. I don't hate the Cruze I'm just disappointed.
nickdago says:
01:24 AM, 12/03/2009
Actually, looks to beat the Civic and Corolla in both exterior and interior quality. The car is doing well in Europe so no reason why it will not do well in the US
firstclass says:
09:37 AM, 12/02/2009
GM really needs to take a page from Pontiac. They always show us too much of the car before it's released. With no big power and only on body configuration what's the appeal? Now the car is dated before it even hits the road just like every Pontiac. Give us an unexpected surprise because the styling does nothing. The only competition this car will have is with the South Koreans because I couldn't pass a Japanese car for this.
imclarkkent says:
08:12 PM, 12/01/2009
As I posted in the article from yesterday, if this is all that the Cruze will offer, they aren't going to be successful like they are banking on. Like the summary says, there are already competent cars in its class...the car isn't going to shine with that kind of power. My Sentra SE had more power, was lighter, cost less, and was reliable (though not all model years were)...in 2001. You wait to offer something with more power, and it will share the same fate the 2009 Cobalt SS has... a niche car that few care about, instead of the model's flagship that it deserves to be.