Impressive new Cruze takes the fight to Civic

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Published on Saturday, June 25, 2016

By Ben Castle

Submitted Article

The new 2016 Chevrolet Cruze is the latest in a long line of Chevrolet compact cars, beginning with the long-lived 1982 Cavalier and culminating in the popular 2005 Cobalt.  These cars offered basic motoring and cheap running costs at an affordable price but lacked quality, performance, efficiency and sophistication compared to the competition from import manufacturers. However, the original Cruze of 2010 featured a significantly better quality interior and with new, more efficient engines and transmissions, it was also able to compete in terms of performance, fuel economy and refinement.  In 2015, its final year, the Cruze managed to outsell its domestic rivals from Ford and Dodge by over 50 per cent and put pressure on more modern rival products from Honda, Hyundai, Toyota and Mazda. With its sporty and sleek new 2016 Cruze, Chevrolet hopes to build on its success and tempt more customers away from these popular import brands.

Compared to the ultra-conservative previous generation Cruze, this one is a looker, especially from the front with the standard projector-beam headlights reminiscent of the muscular Chevrolet Camaro. Overall, it is sleek and classy with some striking colour options. The only angle that lets the styling down slightly is the rather generic rear styling, but it is by no means offensive!

Cruze is available in four trim levels: L, LS, LT and Premier. The L  is manual only and Premier is automatic only, while the other two are six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions. 

All models now come with the 1.4 litre turbocharged Ecotec engine as standard, boasting 153 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque (10 per cent and 20 per cent up on 2015 respectively). With the exception of Volkswagen, Chevrolet is the only manufacturer that offers standard turbocharged power in the compact car class. Chevrolet also claim 5.6L/100km highway for the automatic (5.9L/100km for the manual), which puts it amongst the best in class for efficiency and an 11 per cent improvement on 2015. For now, all Cruzes are four door sedans, but expect the option of a hatchback bodystyle and a diesel engine to come along in the next year or so.

L models start at a very competitive $15,995, excluding taxes, and feature a good level of standard equipment, including 15 inch steel wheels, 4-wheel disc brakes, power windows, locks and mirrors, alarm, tilt and telescope steering wheel, body-coloured door mirrors, a seven inch touchscreen, Bluetooth and wireless audio streaming and GM’s ONSTAR driver information system.  For an additional $2,850, LS trim adds single-zone air conditioning, floor mats and a rear vision camera and you can specify an automatic transmission for an extra $1,450. If you want cruise on your Cruze, you will need to pay $1,000 extra for LT trim, which also gives you 16 inch aluminum wheels, heated front seats, 60/40 split rear seat, XM radio, heated mirrors and audio controls on the steering wheel. For an extra $2,500, top-spec Premier trim adds 17 inch aluminum wheels, remote start, proximity entry on all four doors, keyless start, automatic climate control, heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel, leather seats and power driver’s seat. The absence of some standard features, such as navigation and dual-zone climate control is surprising, but allows the Cruze to be priced very competitively compared to its rivals and these features can be added to LT and Premier models via reasonably priced upgrade packages.  

The test model supplied by Murray Chevrolet in Brandon was the top-spec Premier model with a sticker of $23.895. Cruze has strong in-gear performance comparable to, and even better than, many larger-engined naturally aspirated rivals and yet delivers the fuel economy of a smaller engine. I averaged 8L/100km on test, which is over 15 per cent better than achieved in the normally aspirated 2–litre Mazda 3 last fall. The transmission is smooth and refined and the stop-start system is the fastest-reacting and least intrusive system of its kind that I have used to date. As with many manual modes, shifting is a little sluggish, but left to its own devices, the transmission is so responsive that manual shifting isn’t really necessary. Handling is not sporty, but the steering has a nice weight to it with good body control and a very smooth ride.

An on-board oil-life monitor, Duralife brake rotors and a five year, 160,000 kilometre powertrain warranty promise extended service intervals, low running costs and peace of mind. Chevrolet also currently offers complimentary oil changes for the first two years or 48,000 kilometres.

The interior is attractively styled and feels classy and of good quality. The cabin is roomy and the seats are exceptionally comfortable. The wheelbase has been increased for 2016, giving one of the longest wheelbases in its class and as a result, Cruze has one of the roomiest rear cabins in its class.  The trunk at 348 litres is actually smaller on paper than the old Cruze, but it is deeper with minimal intrusion from the rear wheels, so in reality is probably a bit more practical. 

I would recommend the top spec Premier trim, which although lacking some of the standard features of the equivalent Honda Civic (Touring), is over $3,000 less expensive and has everything you really need on it, although you can specify the optional packages if you must have the extra features of the Honda and still pay a similar price. I would be tempted by the RS package (available on both LT and Premier models), which for $995 adds a rear spoiler, front fog lights, sport body kit, RS lettering and 18 inch aluminum wheels on the Premier model, which really enhances the sporty look of the car. However, if you prefer a manual transmission, the LT manual is also a good buy.

Overall then, the 2016 Cruze offers very competitive pricing, typically supported by very low finance/lease interest rates, standard turbocharged power with class-leading fuel economy and is amongst the best-in-class for style, comfort, space and refinement. A few competitors may offer a sharper drive, but as an all-rounder, the new Cruze is very difficult to beat. It certainly moves the compact car game on for Chevrolet and the traditionally more popular import competition, such as the Honda Civic, should be concerned. We’ll see how the new 2016 Civic stacks up later in the year, but if you’re in the market for a good value, good all-round compact/mid-size car, I would strongly recommend that you cruise down to your local Chevrolet dealer and check out the new 2016 Cruze.