LOS ANGELES — General Motors is rolling out the U.S. version of its small "global car," the Chevrolet Cruze, at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show this week. The little fuel sipper will be built in Lordstown, Ohio, and will hit dealerships in late 2010 as a 2011 model.
The Chevrolet Cruze is expected to get fuel economy of as much as 40 mpg on the highway thanks to GM's new small-displacement engines, including the Ecotec turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder with variable valve timing that makes 138 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque. There's also a 1.8-liter four that makes 136 hp and 123 lb-ft of torque. Each is mated to a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. The 1.4-liter engine is standard on LT and LTZ models, while the 1.8 is standard on the LS.
On the safety front, the little car gets 10 standard airbags, StabiliTrak electronic stability control with rollover sensing, traction control and ABS. Electronic gadgetry includes a six-speaker stereo with MP3 capability, USB connectivity, OnStar and XM Satellite Radio. Bluetooth, a navigation system, an iPod USB port and a premium Pioneer sound system are options.
The five-passenger Cruze has a steeply raked windshield, sloping rear pillars and a short rear deck for a "sporty, coupelike proportion" and an "aggressive look," Chevrolet says. Wheels and tires are 16 inches on LS and LT models and 17-inch alloy wheels with 18-inchers optional on the LTZ.
Chevrolet is tipping the Cruze as solid competition for the Ford Focus, Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla in the North American market. Pricing has not yet been announced.
Inside Line says: High fuel prices should be a strong selling point for this little Chevy. — Laura Sky Brown, Correspondent
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thechevyguy says:
10:36 AM, 03/21/2011
What is not to like about the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze? It is affordable, gets great gas mileage and is sporty and comfortable (http:www.2011ChevroletCruze.com for reference). I think GM finally hit the nail on the head with this one. Testing it in Europe first was a great idea also to make sure it was attractive enough (and affordable enough) to catch buyers attention.
imclarkkent says:
06:56 AM, 12/01/2009
I REALLY hope they offer more powerful engines than what is offered overseas. My 2001 Sentra SE had more power than the Cruze, cost less, and was lighter. If they want to compete against the Civic and Corolla, they have to do more than offer a better car; they have to offer a better image. It may be comfortable and well built, but many people are going to look at the numbers, and realize that this thing is going to be SLOW. If you are someone who's skeptical of American brands from the get-go, you're going to be looking for a reason not to take the risk. Don't give them such an obvious one, GM.
PLEASE offer a more powerful engine when it debuts! Don't wait for the 3rd model year to offer a Cruze SS (for example)...if you wait very long, the car will have already missed the audience, and nobody will care, ala the 2009 Cobalt SS. True the Corolla sells well, but last I checked Toyota wasn't depending on it to revitalize/reimage/rescue the entire brand. They can get away with selling such a pedestrian vehicle because of their reputation. The Corolla hasn't been a leader in anything, save reliability, in a decade.
dodgeman07 says:
12:13 AM, 12/01/2009
GM is on the right track with this model. I believe they're floundering with Buick but I understand a compact Buick is coming, similar in size to the Cruze, and that is a good move.
As frustrated as I am with GM, I believe the new Cruze will sell very well if they can offer a nicely equipped LT model for under $18K. I've heard rumors a loaded LTZ will be $21K and that sounds okay for people who want factory Navi, 18" alloys and heated seats.
roar02ram: This is a small car. About the size of a Hyundai Elantra. It's a touch bigger than the Civic and Corolla but still a C segment vehicle. It is not Hometown Buffet sized.
roar02ram says:
03:34 PM, 11/30/2009
Imagine the fuel economy, etc, if this car were actually the size of a Focus, Civic, or Corolla. As is, it's a half-class size bigger. Seems to me that a true "world small car" should be the size of the rest of them.
Not to hate on this thing because it looks like a really nice. The Hometown Buffet sizing just rubs me the wrong way.