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Cruising Credentials

By: 
Craig Nicholson

Fri, 2009/09/25 - 9:24am — Calvin F

Cruising Credentials
By: 
Craig Nicholson

Chev’s much anticipated Cruze is currently en route to a dealer near you and GM are hoping that their plucky new world car will find favour with South African buyers in the C segment, traditionally the realm of the ubiquitous Toyota Corolla.

Overall the look is not what one would call pretty but, particularly from the frontal aspect, it does manage some presence and carries with it a slightly aggressive demeanour.  At the very least, it is distinctive.

Our time behind the wheel was spent in the Natal midlands, where some rather chilly and rainy weather contributed to trying driving conditions. Overall both the 1.6 and 1.8 variants acquitted themselves well. Ride comfort at cruising speeds is a strong point, the chassis is generally taut and the ride well damped. Poor road surfaces and press on driving do elicit some wallowy behaviour though, which is not aided by the over assisted and uncommunicative power steering.

The Cruze makes no claims in the performance department, being far more content to tour or commute in comfort.  With 83kW and 105kW for the 1.6 and 1.8 respectively, land speed records remain safe as both motors deliver adequate rather than effervescent urge, accompanied by a rather raucous engine note when pressing on. That said the spacious interior is a pleasant place to be with impressive fit and finish and some lovely textures, which help lift the ambience above the norm.

There’s plenty of bang for buck as even the humblest model is fitted with niceties such as colour coded everything and power windows. Perhaps more importantly, necessities asbound as well with the whole range sporting ABS with EBD and numerous airbags.

Well built and appointed, stylish and comfortable, the Cruze argues convincingly in a segment where consumers will buy with their heads, not their hearts.  With a 3yr/60 000km Service Plan included in the asking price, low cost of ownership will suit budget conscious buyers.

Your rating: None Average: 4 (25 votes)

Comments

dunk08's picture

Hate to say it, but this

Hate to say it, but this thing looks old already. It just feels like....a rental car. I know it's upgraded and should sell decently but, meh. And i think i had enough with chevys already, my previous was a Blazer, its Chevrolet Blazer Repair was a major headache.

I think GM's going to have its work cut out with Ford's product sweep coming online. I don't favor one brand over the other but it's hard to deny the the phenomenon that is Ford right now.

Anonymous's picture

GM has one big problem

And it also starts with a C. No not the Corolla. The Cerato is just so much better for the same money

Anonymous's picture

Cerato

I've driven both and I can't agree more...

Anonymous's picture

Cerato

Yes! The Cerato is by far the better car

RS4 quattro's picture

I'm so suprised one compares

I'm so suprised one compares the interior of the Cruze with the Audi A4? What is he/she smoking. A4 is executive compact, compare it with C Class or 3 series/ Lexus IS/ Jaguar. Cruze should be compared with its rivals like Corolla, Golf, Mazda3 or Honda Civiv. Otherwise I think it is a fantastic car and I would buy one if I had the money

RS4 quattro's picture

I'm so suprised one compares

I'm so suprised one compares the interior of the Cruze with the Audi A4? What is he/she smoking. A4 is executive compact, compare it with C Class or 3 series/ Lexus IS/ Jaguar. Cruze should be compared with its rivals like Corolla, Golf, Mazda3 or Honda Civiv. Otherwise I think it is a fantastic car and I would buy one if I had the money

Anonymous's picture

Chev cruz

the car its beautiful, very comfortable & soft at high speeds. cannot feel that u a on 200 km/h until u check u speedometer. as for focus 1.6 its heavy, unstable at 200 km/h compared to cruze & consume exceptionally much more than cruize. cruize take the lead ! !

Anonymous's picture

200km/h

The fact that you can get a Cruze or a Focus to 200km/h is commendable or unbelievable. I'm tending towards unbelievable...

Anonymous's picture

Chev cruz

couldnt agree more!
Focus is crap! period!

Anonymous's picture

Interior?

I was a bit dissapointed with the interior, very cheap, especially on the dashboard - why a cloth covering on the dashboard?

Also the dealer told me that it would only come in one, dull, grey colour, which is obviously incorrect.

I was lookingf orward to a nice, good leather interior, since i was sold on this car by going to the local website, and seeing the interior shots.

the steering wheel is plastic/rubber - seriously?

I really hope things look a bit better in the 1.8, ebcause the 1.6 did nothing for me - i drive a mazda 3 dynamic - 1.6, which has ALOT more speed and power than the Cruze 1.6

the steering was a bit wobbly and a tad disconnected i must say, it didnt stay down enough when punching it(i use the word punching very ambitiously here).

but it really is a good looking car, and for the price and features, worth it.

i just don't see ex- mazda 3 drivers moving 'sideways' into a cruze 1.6, since it offers no features or improvements my 2005 mazda 3 doesn't have.

Audi A4? :0)

Anonymous's picture

Chev Cruze

Ford Focus for me.

Anonymous's picture

1.6 - poor form

I drove the 1.6, poor decision from GM on this one. The body is to heavy for such an engine as the engine does not deliver any punch. Many new owners will be very unhappy with their purchase. My advice would be to purchase the 1.8 and for GM to make a plan and fast. There are many other 1.6's on the road that will race ahead like the new kia cerato......a tad smaller but what a car!! The new Cruze is amazing in looks, i have always been a chev fan. GM, please bring the new Cruz out only in a 1.8 and 2L. Such a good looking car needs the power to back up its looks.

Anonymous's picture

Chev Cruze

I'm no a GM fan, but they are proving a point now with tis cruze. its really beautiful for amaTaima.
Pumezo

Anonymous's picture

Stunner?

I am not a Chev fan by a long shot, being linked with Daewoo put those thoughts to rest before they even began.
But, Gees, this car is beautiful.
Iv seen it in the flesh and seen it real up-close. For the money being asked, for all thats being offered, this is way more car than any TOYOTA COROLLA could ever be!!
Toyota, step aside, all your ripping-off of your clients is to be short-lived now that Chevy is back, i mean the real Chevy's, starting with the CRUZE...

Anonymous's picture

Stunner?

It's a Chev Cruze dude. With a 1.8 engine. Not exactly a passion igniter. I don't wan't it

Anonymous's picture

Stunner!

This car is everything, that everybody wants! Stunning

Anonymous's picture

STUNNER

i was doing 210 km/h this morning, the car its very soft, stable & handling perfectly at high speeds. but from robot to robot its bad. very economic believe me as compared to ford 1.6 a fuel gazzler especilly at high speeds

RS4 quattro's picture

I think you're lying that you

I think you're lying that you did 210.

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