Review: Chevrolet Cruze (From Crewe Guardian)

Review: Chevrolet Cruze

11:17am Tuesday 17th January 2012 in Motors

Offering a good balance between space, style and practicality, the new Cruze hatchback is one of Chevrolet’s more modest cars, writes Catherine Lawler.

It still has the recognisable American radiator grille and yellow cross at the front, and its spacious interior means that it’s very much a mid-range family car.

Under the bonnet, there is a choice of three engines – two petrol and one diesel – and soon a new 1.7-litre diesel engine will be available.

There are three trim levels – LS, LT and LTZ.

All engines are four-cylinder units featuring double overhead cam-shafts, 16 valves and either multi-point fuel injection or, in the case of the diesels, common-rail technology.

Luggage capacity is a generous 413 litres with the seats up. Folding the rear seats forward in a 60/40 split increases this to a very useful 883 litres.

Various storage spaces in the two-tier glove box, the centre console and door pockets, as well as the seatback pockets, can be used to stow away everyday items, such as books, CDs and small laptops.

Steering and handling was pretty sharp, and the ride was comfortable. Air conditioning, rem-ote locking, electric-front windows, follow-me-home headlights, elec-trically-adjustable heated door mirrors, a quality radio/CD player and a USB jack for MP3 or iPod connectivity are all standard.

A host of electronic systems help to prevent accidents.

In an emergency, Electronic Stability Control, Traction Control System and Anti-lock Braking System with Electronic Brake Distribution will intervene to help you keep the car on track and assist during challenging braking or accelerating.

The six airbags, as well as the five three-point seatbelts, are controlled by the car’s Sensing and Diagnostic Module, a device linked to sensors in the front bumper and the B-pillar.

In order to reduce the risk of injuries to the driver in the event of an accident, a collapsible pedal assembly folds away in moderate-to-severe impacts.

Meanwhile, the design of the bonnet provides more space bet-ween the bonnet and the engine, which makes direct contact bet-ween a pedestrian and the engine block much less likely.

There are various comparisons with the popular Vauxhall Astra, although the Cruze is significantly cheaper with a better specification.

Chevrolet also offers a fabulous five-year warranty with every new car.

FACTFILE

Car: Chevrolet Cruze 1.8i LTZ

Price: From £16,095

0-60mph: 10.1 seconds

Top speed: 124mph

CO2 emissions: 155g/km