Friday 12 July 2013

Chevrolet Cruze (2014) Review


Whats new for 2014

New Cars Reviews For 2014, the cruze diesel model, powered by a 2. 0-liter turbocharged diesel four-cylinder, is added along at the prime of one's cruze lineup.

Introduction

The impact of one's chevy cruze cant be underestimated. Introduced in 2011, this small economy sedan has created chevrolet a brand out to think about once additional within the compact-car market, like the overall refinement, efficiency and packaging of one's cruze build it a serious rival for your own japanese-brand cars which have dominated the segment obtain a generation.

Points within the 2014 chevrolet cruzes favor embrace a lineup of solid-performing, high-efficiency four-cylinder engines, a complicated ride and handling balance, and therefore the cars sharp, non-gimmicky style within and out. Passenger quarters absolutely really undoubtedly are a smidge tight to get this category, however most shoppers can realize them adequate. The cruze too offers an unusually giant trunk obtain a compact sedan.

 

Chevy has added a few spice towards the cruze line for 2014 when using the introduction of one's cruze diesel. Equipped utilizing a 2. 0-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder engine and rated at 33 mpg combined by your epa, this model directly targets the ultimate alternative diesel-powered compact sedan within the u. S. : the volkswagen jetta tdi. The diesel jetta has got a slightly higher combined fuel economy rating ( not out to mention a bigger backseat ), however the 2014 chevrolet cruze diesels 47 mpg epa highway fuel economy rating is requried to be made by par when using the hybrid cars during this value vary, and its possible being a bit quicker in comparison to the vw. A possible downside will be the cruze diesels higher base value compared with that of one's jetta tdi.

After all, there absolutely really undoubtedly are a bunch of worthwhile compact cars during this value vary, and its currently laborious out to decide a loser during this ultracompetitive segment. If top-of-the-world fuel economy isnt your priority, the honda civic may be a cant-lose proposition, due to a spacious, high-quality interior and likable road manners. The hyundai elantra has unique styling, and on account of its long features list, can possibly be an exceptional worth. You would possibly too think about the rakish ford focus, that appearance and feels additional subtle than alternative economy sedans, and the mazda 3, that offers the sportiest handling during this category. Though the 2014 chevrolet cruze doesnt dominate during this cluster, its on equal footing with most of them cars and positively worth a look if youre getting a gift for a compact sedan.

 


Body Designs, Trim Levels, And Options

The 2014 chevrolet cruze may be a small sedan offered in 5 trim levels : ls, lt, ltz, eco and diesel.

The ls includes 16-inch steel wheels, onstar, keyless entry, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel with audio controls, air-conditioning, a six-way ( manual ) adjustable driver seat, a 60/40-split-folding rear seat, a trip laptop, full power accessories, bluetooth phone connectivity while a six-speaker sound system utilizing a cd/mp3 player, satellite radio, usb port and an auxiliary audio jack.

The lt is created up of one's 1lt and 2lt equipment-level subsets. Compared when using the ls, the 1lt upgrades towards the 1. 4-liter turbocharged gasoline engine, 16-inch alloy wheels, cruise management while a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The very same features within the ecos driver convenience package are too obtainable for your own 1lt.

The technology package obtainable along at the 1lt level brings a rearview camera and therefore the chevrolet mylink interface, that bundles a 7-inch touchscreen show, bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, voice management and smartphone integration. An obtainable driver convenience package includes a six-way power driver seat, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a rearview camera and heated mirrors. ( though a rearview camera is an element of each packages, they'll be purchased in combination. )

The 2lt has the many 1lts customary equipment, and the ability driver seat and mylink touchscreen interface. It too comes customary with 17-inch alloy wheels, a sport-tuned suspension, four-wheel disc brakes, leather upholstery and heated front seats.

 


The cruze ltz is equipped with the many 2lts content, further as the many items within the technology and driver convenience packages. It too features 18-inch alloy wheels, foglights, keyless ignition/entry, automatic climate management and premium interior trim.

The eco cruze is equipped such as the 1lt, however delivers the mylink interface as customary. It too advantages from aerodynamic improvements ( together with a rear spoiler ), light-weight 17-inch alloy wheels, low-rolling-resistance tires while a smaller fuel tank ( manual-transmission version no more than ). The cruze diesel is equipped with the many 2lt models customary equipment, and the eco models aerodynamic enhancements and low-rolling-resistance tires. It really has light-weight 17-inch wheels, too, however theyre a distinct style.

The enhanced safety package is obtainable for many however the ls model and includes rear park assist, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. A hard-drive-based navigation system, a pioneer nine-speaker premium sound system while a sunroof are too obtainable on most trim levels. The rs appearance package is obtainable upon the lt and ltz models and features restyled front and rear fascias, rocker moldings, a rear spoiler and, on lt models, foglights and an upgraded instrument panel.

 


Powertrains And Performance

All 2014 chevrolet cruzes are front-wheel drive. The cruze ls is powered by a 1. 8-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 138 horsepower and 125 pound-feet of torque. The lt, ltz and eco are fitted by having turbocharged 1. 4-liter four-cylinder that generates 138 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque. The cruze diesel has got a turbocharged 2. 0-liter diesel four-cylinder rated at 151 hp and 264 lb-ft of torque.

A six-speed manual transmission is commonplace upon the ls, lt and eco. A six-speed automatic is optional on those trims and commonplace for our ltz and diesel.

In edmunds testing, a cruze when using the turbo 1. 4-liter engine and an automatic transmission accelerated from zero to actually 60 in 9. 2 seconds, a slightly slower than average time involving this category. Chevy estimates that the cruze diesel can create its approach to actually 60 mph in 8. 6 seconds, which will create it quicker in comparison to the vw jetta tdi.

The cruze diesel too will fine concerning fuel economy, too, with epa estimates of 27 mpg city/46 mpg highway and 33 mpg combined. Those are smart numbers, though the jetta tdi maintains a slight edge with its 34 mpg combined epa rating. Additionally, the cruze eco is simply regarding as frugal, by having laudable 28/42/33 rating when using the manual transmission and 26/39/31 mpg when using the automatic.

Fuel economy stands at 25 mpg city/36 mpg highway and 29 mpg combined for our cruze ls when using the manual transmission and 22/35/27 mpg when using the automatic. The turbocharged engine ( lt and ltz ) with either transmission receives 26/38/30 mpg estimates.

 
Safety

All 2014 chevrolet cruze models include stability management, antilock brakes, full-length aspect curtain airbags, front knee airbags and front and rear side-impact airbags as commonplace. A front-disc/rear-drum brake setup is commonplace on several models except the 2lt, ltz and diesel, that happen to be upgraded to actually four-wheel disc brakes. Too commonplace is onstar, that includes automatic crash notification, on-demand roadside assistance, remote door unlocking and stolen-vehicle assistance. A rearview camera, blind-spot monitoring while a rear cross-traffic alert system are optional for those cruzes except the ls.

In government crash testing, the cruze earned a high five-star rating for overall safety performance, with 5 stars within the whole frontal- and side-impact categories. In insurance institute for highway safety testing, the cruze received a high score of excellent in frontal-offset, side-impact and roof-strength testing.

In edmunds brake testing, a cruze ltz stopped from 60 mph in 120 feet, a slightly better-than-average distance involving this category of car. Even with its less grippy, fuel-economy-friendly tires, the cruze eco stopped in relating to the same distance.

 

Interior Style And Special Features

The interiors of compact cars usually show obvious signs of cost-cutting, other then the cruzes cabin has got a classy two-tone color theme and appearance a lot of upscale than several of its competitors.

That aforementioned, there may be still lots of exhausting plastic surfaces, and theyre significantly noticeable within the whole dear cruze diesel. Given the long-distance driving-range potential on your diesel, a lot of padding upon the armrests could be welcome. Upon the upside, the mylink touchscreen interface is one of the on your simplest and the majority straightforward infotainment systems out there, and its voice-control interface is highly useful.

A few drivers may notice the cruzes front seats slightly narrow, other then theyre supportive and comfortable, and then they will provide lots of adjustment. An occasional bottom cushion for our backseat diminishes comfort for longer-limbed riders, because it doesnt provide enough thigh support. The cruzes rear seat legroom is simply average for our segment ; youll notice a lot of house within the whole civic and jetta. Significantly on top of average, though, is that the cruzes giant trunk, that measures a powerful 15. 4 cubic feet.

 

Driving Impressions

The 2014 chevrolet cruze deftly combines responsive handling by having comfortable, compliant ride. The skills suspension upon the 2lt, ltz and diesel models is firmer other then still provides an agreeable ride.

The turbocharged 1. 4-liter gas engine is pretty average in terms of outright acceleration, other then its peppier around city in comparison to the 1. 8-liter thanks to actually its increased torque. The most issue, though, is that the automatic transmission. Programmed for maximum fuel economy, its reluctant to actually downshift for quick acceleration and passing unless you actually boot the gas pedal.


The firmer cruze diesel model is an intriguing selection while a win-win proposition, because it offers each smart fuel economy and satisfyingly brisk acceleration by compact-sedan standards. As with most turbocharged engines, theres a short while of pause after you hit the throttle given by a standstill, other then probably the sedan gathers speed quickly. The cruze diesel uses a special six-speed automatic transmission from alternative cruzes, and weve found it a lot of responsive in highway passing things. And forget relating to the stereotypical diesel clatter -- thanks to actually further sound insulation within the whole diesel model, youll rarely hear the engine the least bit.