2011 US version of the Chevrolet Cruze
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Finally.
After being sold pretty much everywhere else. Here is the official US version of the Cruze.
But wait. It is still almost a year away!
The exterior is fine, but the interior seems great.
By that time a new Civic will be just around the corner. And a new Focus might even be out.
Here is what GM has to say for themselves:
– Popular global car refined for America
– Expected segment-best fuel economy – up to 40 mpg highway – with new family of small-displacement engines, including Ecotec 1.4L I-4 turbo
– Progressive design with exceptional levels of refinement, quietness and build quality
– More spacious interior and greater cargo room than Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla
– Ten standard air bags help make it one of the safest cars in its class
– Built at Lordstown, Ohio assembly plant
– On sale in third quarter of 2010
– Five-year/100,000-mile powertain warranty – the best coverage in America
“The Cruze also affirms Chevrolet’s commitment to building refined, fuel-efficient vehicles, with new, small-displacement four-cylinder engines. It is expected to deliver segment-leading fuel economy with a new Ecotec 1.4L I-4 turbo with variable valve timing – including up to 40 mpg on the highway with a high-efficiency model.
“Cruze is already a hit across Europe and Asia; and now, it’s coming to America to challenge the status quo,” said Brent Dewar, GM Vice President, Chevrolet Global brand. “Along with the Volt electric vehicle, Cruze is the latest tangible example of how Chevrolet is working on exciting products that range from gas-friendly to gas-free.”
Leveraging Chevrolet’s design and engineering talent in Asia, Europe and North America, the Cruze brings to market a progressive, globally influenced design complemented by exceptional levels of quietness, quality and attention to detail – from precise tolerances between body panels to the use of premium materials throughout the interior.
“The amenities, quietness and roominess you expect in larger cars are what the Cruze delivers,” said Margaret Brooks, Chevrolet product marketing manager. “This is a car that will shake up the compact segment, with a more spacious interior and more cargo room than the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla.”
Cruze goes on sale in the U.S. in the third quarter of 2010 but has already logged more than 4 million miles in quality and durability testing worldwide, making it one of the most real world-tested GM products prior to a U.S. launch. The U.S. and Canadian versions of the Cruze will be built in Lordstown, Ohio, where $350 million was invested for their production.”
Nice car but still a year away! That's totally inexcusable. By the time it is sold here in the US it'll have been in other markets for TWO years. That's pathetic.
Looks nice enough I guess. It's not offensive at least. But is there really any way on earth that GM can make this a bank vault solid in every aspect like the Civic? Doubt it.
i think it seems like a solid hit. i just wish it had additional bodystyles, like a 2 door or hatch.
and i've known a few people with current Civics, including a Honda salesman friend of mine, that have had a lot of trouble with them. I don't think the current version is as 'bulletproof' as the earlier versions which made their reputation.
The 2001-2005 Civic (with the exception of the Si hatchback) was the Civic with more problems than usual. With the 2006-current model Honda has definitely stepped up the quality again.
I know a lot of people that drive the heck out of the current Civic and they have no problems at all.
Too bad the Cruze has that nitwit, blacked-out "C" pillar like the Chrysler Sebring and Mazda 6.
The phony, painted rear quarter window is the worst auto styling affectation currently in use. I wish auto stylists would stop that.
I'm ready for the redesign of this and the Camaro. I find it sad that the current Malibu that has been on the market since 2007 appears more fresh.
There is no excuse for this thing to not be out in January.
Its been out here in Australia for a while now. It looks quite OK and is selling well.
The 2001-2005 Civic (with the exception of the Si hatchback) was the Civic with more problems than usual.
I had one, and you're right. Now mine was reliable beyond compare, but the quality was terrible with things like the roof fabric falling down, door panel material coming off, the plastics held up but were cheap-feeling, the wheels behind the covers rusted, the sheet metal was very thin, the sun visors rotted, and the grill emblem fell off twice. There are numerous other things that while they worked, they had a poor quality feel or sound when used. On top of it all, the car rode like sh*t. It was stiff and harsh.
Still, I miss that little green machine with its warts and all. The gas mileage alone makes me wish it was parked outside now.
I am not getting the styling on this. The roofline is vintage Audi A6, the droopy bumper looks like last generation Honda Accord, and the front end is too busy for a car this small. Is it me or is this not very fresh or good looking?
Looks better than that Civic twit mobile.
But wait. It is still almost a year away!
Does anyone know why? Has GM given a legitimate answer?
Overall, B+ . The front design is smart and distinctive. I don't like the Korean tail lamps, the plastic window on the C-pillar or the wimpy wheel design, but I'm assuming there will be other wheel options. The interior is an A+.
This is absolutely ridiculous.
They are bragging about the Cruze having more interior space than the 8th generation Civic which debuted in mid to late 2005. The Cruze won't be released until 2011. They also benchmarked the old model as well.
Woop-de-do.
It has the same boring IP as all other GM vehicles now and it has NOTHING that makes it stand out against the competition. Those 10 airbags are more than likely the only reason why it did so well with the Euro NCAP.
It has gotten mediocre reviews abroad and from Car and Driver and this is supposed to be GMs savior? The old Civic still gets great reviews and the Mazda3 does as well.
Ridiculous.
Pretty hard to find fault with this. It would probably be "Car of The Year" if it had a Japanese nameplate. The interior even makes Acura look cheap by comparison. Nicely done, GM.
To iQuack who said "Too bad the Cruze has that nitwit, blacked-out "C" pillar like the Chrysler Sebring and Mazda 6"
Haven't you noticed that MOST cars have the B pillar blacked out: Mercedes, Lincoln, Cadillac, BMW, Ford, Buick, Lexus, Infinity, Honda, etc.etc.etc. EVERY minivan has the B & C pillars blackened. Lots of 4-dr pickups & suv's have a blacked out B pillar. What's the big deal about a blacked out pillar???
The "B" pillar is narrow and meaningless. The "C" pillar is MUCH wider and sometimes includes a REAL window.
I think that using black paint or a crappy plastic overlay to create the image of a rear quarter window that doesn't exist is cheap and tawdry styling. Just my opinion, but that's how I see it.
Cars like the Mazda 6, Chrysler Sebring, and the upcoming Chevy Cruze would look better without their phony rear quarter windows– painted or plastic patched in there.
"Anonymous said…
Pretty hard to find fault with this. It would probably be "Car of The Year" if it had a Japanese nameplate. The interior even makes Acura look cheap by comparison. Nicely done, GM.
To iQuack who said "Too bad the Cruze has that nitwit, blacked-out "C" pillar like the Chrysler Sebring and Mazda 6"
Haven't you noticed that MOST cars have the B pillar blacked out: Mercedes, Lincoln, Cadillac, BMW, Ford, Buick, Lexus, Infinity, Honda, etc.etc.etc. EVERY minivan has the B & C pillars blackened. Lots of 4-dr pickups & suv's have a blacked out B pillar. What's the big deal about a blacked out pillar???
November 30, 2009 8:20 PM"
ANY Acura interior looks better than this.
The Cruze hasn't gotten much positive press yet. Everyone who has tested it said it was pretty mediocre compared to the current class of vehicles.
"ANY Acura interior looks better than this."
Where do people get this stuff? I completely disagree. Acura does not build top tier interiors at all. Most reviews agree that the design of the RL, TL and TSX are jumbled and the material quality is not class leading. We'll have to wait and see about the material quality of the Cruze. GM has been building some very nice interiors in their midsized and upscale cars. They are benchmarking Audi and the Lexus LS… Acura isn't even considered a player in this area. While I don't think GM has come close to Audi levels, they've trumped pretty much everyone else in their respective categories. We'll see if they can do it for their inexpensive small cars too.
HONDA CONTROL… WE HAVE A PROBLEM. Just when Honda was starting to best Toyota they have THIS to compete with. Oh well.
Wow. That car actually looks pretty snazzy on the inside.
This is a good car design…No glaring faults.
Will that little 1.4L be able to get this 2900 lbs car going?
LOL!!!!