2010-2017 Chevrolet Cruze
History
General Motors is one big family, especially that they own multiple brands and being sold to different markets. Funnily enough, one car model is being sold under different badges in different countries. With the General being guilty of this, would this car be a farewell effort to ditch this long practice?
Carrying the internal designation of J300, the Cruze was first introduced in 2008 which replaces the Chevrolet Cobalt (North America), Daewoo Lacetti (most of Asia, we have it as the Chevrolet Optra), and the Holden Astra (Australia and New Zealand) and replacing it with one car that serves as a global car assembled in multiple countries and a significant one for GM's North American division, simply because people would buy because it is good and not for its price. If Ford had done it with the Focus, then GM must have been missing a lot.
A year after a turn over to a new distributor, Chevrolet brought in the Cruze to replace the outdated and slow selling Optra back in 2010. Three gasoline models and a solo diesel were made available to the general public. Quiet updates were done in 2013 and 2015 but not the blockbuster it was before. It will be replaced this year by a turbocharged second generation model. L and LS models are paired with a gasoline engine while the top end LT can be had with both.
Value and Costs
Chevrolets aren't known for their stellar resale values, which means that the oldest example can cost you for as low as P220,000. In comparison with comparable Japanese rivals (except perhaps with the old body Nissan Sentra and Mitsubishi Lancer) are priced a hundred grand more, a good thing for second hand buyers. Units purchased from March 2011 onwards gain a five year warranty.
Since this Chevrolet has some Korean blood, parts are somewhat easy and maintaining one is on par with rivals. Problem points include the alternator and the transmission, so check carefully. Another point is the diesel model would require you to travel more miles just to recoup the operating costs.
Exterior and Interior
While not striking like some rivals, the Cruze is elegantly styled and clean looking. A facelift in 2013 gained a revised grille and tail lamps while two years later the rear license plate holder was relocated to the bumper portion.
Unlike its predecessor (and one thing that the General got it right), interior quality is much better which you may mistaken it for a luxury brand. Do take note that LS models and above from 2011 until 2013 ditch a six-disc changer to a single one in order to accommodate a navigation system while the updated ones utilize a MyLink system. While the third row is fine, it may be tight for some.
Engine
Just like its compatriot the Ford Focus of the same period, two engines of different fuel flavors are available. Most Cruzes come with a 1.8 gasoline carrying 139hp at 6,200rpm and 173Nm at 3,800rpm while the rarest of them all is a 2.0 diesel that has 148hp at 4,000rpm 320Nm at 2,000rpm. While below the 3,500rpm mark will give you a smooth drive, anything above it will treat you to a powerful drive which may have the vehicle strained. On the other hand, the 2.0 diesel is fast yet efficient.
Driving Impressions
While the driving prowess may not come to the levels of the Civic or the Focus, the Cruze remains relaxed and planted although going to the curves may give you some body lean. Refinement is top notch, thinking that Chevy must have buried their bad habits.
Verdict
Replacing three different vehicles for one global brand is definitely not the General's strength (since Ford and the Japs) but the Cruze proved that they can.
The Good:
- Much better than the model it replaced
- Comfortable ride
- Refinement
The Bad:
- Somewhat heavy
- Not fun to drive
- 1.8 lacks grunt
The Pick: 1.8 LS
Engine: 1,796cc Ecotec I4 gasoline and 1,991cc I4 diesel
Power: 139hp @ 6,200rpm (1.8), 148hp @ 4,000rpm (2.0)
Torque: 173Nm @ 3,800rpm (1.8), 320Nm @ 2,000rpm (2.0)
Fuel Consumption: 7-12km/L (city), 12-15km/L (highway) (*estimated and varies)
Transmission: 5-speed manual , 6-speed automatic
Suspension: Front McPherson strut, rear torsion beam
MORE INFO
Price (New): P800,000-P1,110,000
Price (Now): P220,000-P700,000
On Sale: 2010-2017
Rivals: Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Forte, Mazda 3, Mitsubishi Lancer, Nissan Sentra, Nissan Sylphy, Subaru Impreza, Toyota Corolla Altis
Resources:
http://www.cruzetalk.com/forum/forum.php
Contacts:
Chevrolet Pasig - (02) 672-1485
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