The Chevrolet Cruze-A Compact Winner

With gas prices remaining high and customers still wanting a fun and sporty compact car, Chevrolet’s Cruze is fulfilling everyone’s wants and needs. U.S. News and World Report has named The Cruze the “Best Compact Car for the Money” in 2012. A great award to win, beating out the popular Civic, Corolla, and Focus.

The Cruze comes available in 5 trim models, priced from lowest (16,800) to highest (23,190): LS, 1LT, ECO, 2LT, LTZ. The Cruze also offers three engines: 1.8L, 1.4L Turbo, 1.4L ECO. The 1.4L Turbo engine, which is standard on most trims, delivers the perfect combination of; fuel efficiency at 25MPG city/36MPG highway, while not missing a beat of performance with its 138HP with 148lb of torque. The Cruze is not known to be a speedster but it is considered a fun-to-drive vehicle with great handling and a sporty feel.

The Cruze is a great looking car in my opinion. Its combination of curves and sharp angles make heads turn as people look to see what kind of car just drove by. In my opinion, the available RS package really turns heads. The RS package offers unique front and rear fascias, rocker moldings, a rear spoiler, and fog lamps. At $695, I believe the RS package is worth the money. 

Cruze with Available RS Package

The Cruze’s interior is a perfect display of why this vehicle is such an exceptional purchase. Part of why reviewers are so happy with the Cruze is because of the seats; standard with Chevy’s new cloth or upgrade to the available leather, standard on 2LT and LTZ models. These seats are great quality and have been reviewed to be very comfortable and surprisingly acceptable for taller drivers. The cubic space available at 95 cubic feet in the Cruze beats the Focus, Civic, and the Corolla. The backseat is typical of a compact vehicle but it is roomy enough to fit five adults comfortably, a fifth passenger might need to be a first grader.

            The Cruze offers a variety of interior features for everyone from the tech savvy to the tech illiterate. The Cruze offers cruise control and audio controls mounted on the steering wheel which are both easy to use and convenient. The Cruze also offers an All-Star package which boasts a sunroof and premium Pioneer sound system. The Cruze’s infotainment system is also a great addition. With the ability to hook your phone or iPod up through a USB port and control it through the car controls makes driving safer and less distracting. The Bluetooth availability also makes phone calls extremely easy. 

            Safety is not ignored at all by the Cruze. Standard for six months, OnStar watches over you and helps you when need be with both safety and directions. The Cruze comes standard with 10 airbags, electronic stability control, and traction control. All of this works to make the Cruze a top safety pick by the IIHS for 2012.

            Chevrolet has really created a winner in the tough compact car category with the Cruze. It’s a high quality car for a great price, something you don’t hear very often in the same sentence.