Cruze first drive: Motor Trend

*DGthe3* · 03-11-2009, 10:49 PM

Forget the Volt -- This is the Car That Must Save GM

The Chevrolet Cruze has different jobs wherever it's sold. In the U.S., where it goes on sale from mid-2010, it will be a locally made rival to the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. But in Europe, where we've just driven it, it's GM's Korean-made budget-brand entry and sits beneath the same-sized Opel (and sometime Saturn) Astra in GM's price and brand hierarchy.

GM's been promising Americans an "import fighter" small car for years -- and has consistently failed to deliver, whether it with home grown products like the Cobalt, or with rebadged Opels like the Astra. So here's the key question: if Cruze is positioned as a bargain car in Europe, does it really have the quality and style, the functionality and value, to seriously rival Honda and Toyota in America?

Out on the road, the Cruze catches the daylight respectably. The stance is strong, the wheels pushed out wide in their housings. There's a well-defined shoulder line, a simple but assertive dual-port nose and a rear view that has a surprising hint of BMW 5 Series about it. It's a more interesting shape than the Corolla, for sure.

Inside, the three-port instrument binnacle sits beneath a flying visor, the centre console is well-organized and nicely garnished, and a swath of modern rucksack-type cloth runs across the dash and doors. It's reasonably fresh and nicely executed. Come dusk, the dials light up crisply in Chevy's ice-blue, with red pointers.

Roominess has been carefully benchmarked: out back you get plenty head and knee space. In front the seats support well and adjust through a wide range. This feels like a compact car built for the American human.

Germany's Opel was responsible for the basic platform, GM's new new-generation Delta architecture. Notable features include a high-rigidity shell and relatively sophisticated front strut geometry outfitted with hydraulic bushes and aluminum lower arms. You can certainly feel the solidity of the body, as it traverses rough surfaces with nary a shake, and less audible clang than in most of the Japanese rivals. This despite the reasonably firm spring settings in the European-spec version.

read the rest of the article here

ArcAngel · 03-11-2009, 10:55 PM

wow sounds promising!!!

Kyle2k · 03-11-2009, 11:14 PM

That car is ridiculously gorgeous for a little econo-sedan.

diddiyo · 03-11-2009, 11:19 PM

not bad, but the headlights look kinda weird imho.

lil_chef · 03-11-2009, 11:42 PM

they complained the engine wasnt strong enough???? in an econo car???......ooooookkkkaaaayyyy.

hopefully the steering isnt as light as they make it out to be

drivingincamaro · 03-11-2009, 11:50 PM

hmmmmmm

they should put a turbo 4
in the cruze and call it a................................

good idea

or bad one :(

*CamaroSpike23* · 03-11-2009, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kyle2k

That car is ridiculously gorgeous for a little econo-sedan.

sorry kyle... had to do it for that statement.

Kyle2k · 03-11-2009, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamaroSpike23

sorry kyle... had to do it for that statement.

Thanks Greg....

Muscle Master · 03-11-2009, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drivingincamaro

hmmmmmm

they should put a turbo 4
in the cruze and call it a................................

good idea

or bad one :(

I't does have a turbocharge 1.4 don't it

Justin · 03-12-2009, 10:06 AM

I'm actually pretty pumped about the Cruze. I'd buy one, if I weren't planning on a Camaro.

Hylton · 03-12-2009, 10:12 AM

I agree - this is the car that GM needs to sell a pile of to get back into the black and restore their image.

zebra · 03-12-2009, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justin

I'm actually pretty pumped about the Cruze. I'd buy one, if I weren't planning on a Camaro.

if i wasn't plannin on a camaro, i'd drop a 5.3 & turbo in the truck, swap the transfer case for the one out of an SS, put some Eibach/Bilstein suspension parts, Baer brakes, & say screw economy cars!

but i'd recommend the cruze to those who like that sort of thing

2ssJB · 03-12-2009, 11:27 AM

I agree with you about the headlights, the Toyota Matrix's look very simalair and appear to be "in".

Quote:

Originally Posted by diddiyo

not bad, but the headlights look kinda weird imho.

kanys · 03-12-2009, 03:46 PM

If I could not afford a Camaro and this car was out now I would definately buy it. Hopefully this car will be the high-volume seller GM is looking for!

03-11-2009, 10:49 PM	#1
DGthe3 Moderator.ca Drives: 05 Grand Am GT Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Niagara, Canada Posts: 25,366	Cruze first drive: Motor Trend Forget the Volt -- This is the Car That Must Save GM The Chevrolet Cruze has different jobs wherever it's sold. In the U.S., where it goes on sale from mid-2010, it will be a locally made rival to the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. But in Europe, where we've just driven it, it's GM's Korean-made budget-brand entry and sits beneath the same-sized Opel (and sometime Saturn) Astra in GM's price and brand hierarchy. GM's been promising Americans an "import fighter" small car for years -- and has consistently failed to deliver, whether it with home grown products like the Cobalt, or with rebadged Opels like the Astra. So here's the key question: if Cruze is positioned as a bargain car in Europe, does it really have the quality and style, the functionality and value, to seriously rival Honda and Toyota in America? Out on the road, the Cruze catches the daylight respectably. The stance is strong, the wheels pushed out wide in their housings. There's a well-defined shoulder line, a simple but assertive dual-port nose and a rear view that has a surprising hint of BMW 5 Series about it. It's a more interesting shape than the Corolla, for sure. Inside, the three-port instrument binnacle sits beneath a flying visor, the centre console is well-organized and nicely garnished, and a swath of modern rucksack-type cloth runs across the dash and doors. It's reasonably fresh and nicely executed. Come dusk, the dials light up crisply in Chevy's ice-blue, with red pointers. Roominess has been carefully benchmarked: out back you get plenty head and knee space. In front the seats support well and adjust through a wide range. This feels like a compact car built for the American human. Germany's Opel was responsible for the basic platform, GM's new new-generation Delta architecture. Notable features include a high-rigidity shell and relatively sophisticated front strut geometry outfitted with hydraulic bushes and aluminum lower arms. You can certainly feel the solidity of the body, as it traverses rough surfaces with nary a shake, and less audible clang than in most of the Japanese rivals. This despite the reasonably firm spring settings in the European-spec version. read the rest of the article here __________________ Note, if I've gotten any facts wrong in the above, just ignore any points I made with them __________________ Originally Posted by FbodFather My sister's dentist's brother's cousin's housekeeper's dog-breeder's nephew sells coffee filters to the company that provides coffee to General Motors...... ........and HE WOULD KNOW!!!! __________________ Camaro Fest sub-forum Last edited by DGthe3; 03-11-2009 at 10:53 PM. Reason: added picture, removed broken links

03-11-2009, 10:55 PM	#2
ArcAngel Drives: 07 Black Cobalt SS/SC Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Manalapan-NJ Posts: 2,872	wow sounds promising!!! __________________ Through HIM you believe in GOD, who raised HIM from the dead and Glorified him..

03-11-2009, 11:14 PM	#3
Kyle2k LVL 50 Troll Stomper Drives: 2010 Camaro Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 3,463	That car is ridiculously gorgeous for a little econo-sedan. __________________

03-11-2009, 11:50 PM	#6
drivingincamaro Drives: 95 civic Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Chicago Illinois Posts: 5,796	hmmmmmm they should put a turbo 4 in the cruze and call it a................................ good idea or bad one :( __________________

03-12-2009, 10:12 AM	#11
Hylton Drives: fanboys and ass kissers crazy. Join Date: May 2008 Location: Ottawa, Ontario Posts: 7,275	I agree - this is the car that GM needs to sell a pile of to get back into the black and restore their image. __________________ "BBOMG - More than just a car show.... It's an experience!"

03-11-2009, 11:19 PM	#4
diddiyo Drives: . Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: . Posts: 3,048	not bad, but the headlights look kinda weird imho.

03-11-2009, 11:42 PM	#5
lil_chef Banned Drives: 2010 Mustang GT Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Jacksonville Posts: 1,823	they complained the engine wasnt strong enough???? in an econo car???......ooooookkkkaaaayyyy. hopefully the steering isnt as light as they make it out to be

03-12-2009, 10:06 AM	#10
Justin Camaro5's Cell Phone Geek Drives: '02 V6 Camaro. 5 speed manual. Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 406	I'm actually pretty pumped about the Cruze. I'd buy one, if I weren't planning on a Camaro.

03-12-2009, 03:46 PM	#14
kanys Drives: 2010 Camaro Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Houston Posts: 872	If I could not afford a Camaro and this car was out now I would definately buy it. Hopefully this car will be the high-volume seller GM is looking for!

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