Chevrolet Cruze test drive

 The all new Cruze is a really nice looking car in the flesh.

I was a little underwhelmed when I first sat in one at the Auto show. I thought it was just OK.
But this top of the line Premier model I had for a week was much nicer.
And much more upscale looking.

The design isn’t breaking any grounds (lots of people see a lot of the previous Civic in it), but it is pleasant from any angle.

 Inside, what they call “Jet black/Kalahari” combo looks great.
And there isn’t too much of that fake metal trim that most car have. It’s mostly a piano black finish.
(Which looks nice but is also a magnet for finger prints…)

The only details I didn’t like was the small metal trim bits left. They are just way too shiny, still.
Most car makers now are using a more satin finish which gives the cabin a more upscale look.
I know it’s a detail…

Overall the new interior looks great. Everything seems very well made and solid.
Everything is where it is supposed to be.
AND, this is the first GM car I’ve had in a long time where CarPlay worked flawlessly with my iPhone.

The 6 speaker stereo sounds good. But not great. ( I guess that’s what the extra cost Bose system is for)

 The back seat has plenty of room.
It’s not “Jetta Huge”, but it’s really fine. And roomier than most premium compacts from BMW and Mercedes.

 As you can see, the 110Volt plug in the back makes for a perfect road trip.

 The first thing I noticed was how quiet the engine is.
The new 1.4 Turbo is always quiet and smooth. No matter how I pushed it. When you hear it, it sounds very refined.
And there is always plenty of power for all uses.

The new Cruze comes with a Stop/Start system. It works all the time when the A/C is off.
(When it’s on, it only works a few times.)

It is pretty much invisible with A/C off. Only a very slight shutter in the steering wheel.
It works very quickly and there is really no delay. So it doesn’t affect normal driving at all.
I could feel it a tiny bit more when the A/C was on.

 The steering is a bit light for my taste. Off center feeling can be a little loose.
But it’s no worse than most modern cars. They all mostly feel like a video game in that regard…

 The drive is smooth and quiet, pretty much all the time.
It really feels like a more expensive car. And makes you wonder why anyone would spend more money on a mid-size car.

I really enjoyed my week with the new Cruze.
Comparing it to the other compact I drove a few weeks ago, the Nissan Sentra, this is light years ahead.
The Sentra’s seats are some of the worst I’ve even sat in. While the ones in the new Chevrolet are very comfortable.
The Cruze is so much more refined. It also drives much better and even gets much better gas mileage.

The Cruze is rated at 30/40. (For some reason other models of the Cruze are rated at 42HWY. But not the Premier)
I got around 45 on the Highway.
But “only” 28 around town.
These are great numbers.
( I got 23/38 with the “CVT Sentra”.)

So, yes. I would definitely recommend the new Chevrolet Cruze for anyone looking for a very nice compact sedan.
It does everything very well.
As far as style, it kind of fits in between the super conservative Jetta and the over styled Civic.

Which might just be what people really like.

I can’t wait to drive the all new Hatchback version soon.
And there is also a Diesel version coming up.

Here are all the specs of the car I had for a week.
You can click on it . See what happens….