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Cruze review - actual reader miles!
I think I can claim the distinction here of having put more miles (OK, kilometers) on a Cruze than any other GMI member, save those who actually work for GM.
This last week, I was the proud renter of a Euro-spec Cruze LS diesel. In short, great car. Happily cruzed at 90 even up to 100 mph on beautiful brand new empty Croatian motorways. 37 mpg average, even with a majority of driving done at high motorway speeds. I have almost nothing but praise for the car.
Handling: the much discussed rear end works. The car is very, very stable through bumpy curves. Overall handling is very confidence inspiring - twisty european roads were fun. Electric power steering felt good - light, but with more than adequate feel. (And, in this connection, may I note I generally drive a Porsche?) No complaints. Good brakes, but pedal was soft. A real pleasure to drive.
Comfort: no complaints. Comfortable seats, lots of adjustment, even on the basic LS model. No trouble getting a well-tailored driving position. American-grade AC. Big, well-shaped trunk. Unusually quiet - 90 mph cruzing didn't feel stressed. Very solid thump going over bumps. Car feels a class above.
Drivetrain: 1.9L diesel - punchy, there's turbo lag, but it's brief and very predictable. The driver feels like he has control of the turbo - one can invoke its power at will, and it comes up very predictably. I have no clue why they won't offer diesels in the US. Modern diesels are wonderful. Fun to drive, thoroughly economical. The manual gearbox was very good - positive action, smooth operation. Not light of touch, but easy to move nonetheless, and this was a car with but 2500 miles on it.
Quality: no problems noted. Not squeaks, no rattles. Everything screwed down well, tolerances tight.
Complaints? Really just one: put the adjustable wheel down low, as I prefer it, and it blocks the speedometer. Easy solution would be to use the info read-out give a speed number, but it doesn't do it.
Overall: this is a great little car. Highly capable for a cheap, basic sedan. This is going to stand very high in its class. I predict they sell a boatload of 'em.
This last week, I was the proud renter of a Euro-spec Cruze LS diesel. In short, great car. Happily cruzed at 90 even up to 100 mph on beautiful brand new empty Croatian motorways. 37 mpg average, even with a majority of driving done at high motorway speeds. I have almost nothing but praise for the car.
Handling: the much discussed rear end works. The car is very, very stable through bumpy curves. Overall handling is very confidence inspiring - twisty european roads were fun. Electric power steering felt good - light, but with more than adequate feel. (And, in this connection, may I note I generally drive a Porsche?) No complaints. Good brakes, but pedal was soft. A real pleasure to drive.
Comfort: no complaints. Comfortable seats, lots of adjustment, even on the basic LS model. No trouble getting a well-tailored driving position. American-grade AC. Big, well-shaped trunk. Unusually quiet - 90 mph cruzing didn't feel stressed. Very solid thump going over bumps. Car feels a class above.
Drivetrain: 1.9L diesel - punchy, there's turbo lag, but it's brief and very predictable. The driver feels like he has control of the turbo - one can invoke its power at will, and it comes up very predictably. I have no clue why they won't offer diesels in the US. Modern diesels are wonderful. Fun to drive, thoroughly economical. The manual gearbox was very good - positive action, smooth operation. Not light of touch, but easy to move nonetheless, and this was a car with but 2500 miles on it.
Quality: no problems noted. Not squeaks, no rattles. Everything screwed down well, tolerances tight.
Complaints? Really just one: put the adjustable wheel down low, as I prefer it, and it blocks the speedometer. Easy solution would be to use the info read-out give a speed number, but it doesn't do it.
Overall: this is a great little car. Highly capable for a cheap, basic sedan. This is going to stand very high in its class. I predict they sell a boatload of 'em.
