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By Simon Harris
First Drives
13 March 2009 09:00
With questions surrounding the future of General Motors, it’s (surprisingly) business as usual for its highest volume brand, which means lots of new metal. We've just driven the Chevrolet Cruze saloon, which arrives in showrooms in July and marks a switch to bolder design, while the platform will spawn a production version of the Orlando MPV, a Cruze-derived hatchback, and of course the new Vauxhall Astra. The Cruze also marks the beginning of the replacement of Chevy’s old re-badged Daewoo products with completely new models.
Yes it does. No matter how things turns out for GM, if you look at individual car brands, Chevrolet is number three in the world in volume terms, behind Toyota and Ford so it has a great deal of awareness and a degree of loyalty. The Cruze will be a more common sight in other markets around the world than in the UK: here about 1000 units a year will be judged a success.
Recognition will also be boosted through Chevy’s presence in the World Touring Car Championship, where the old Lacetti (prepared in the UK by Ray Mallock) was a regular threat to the BMWs, although failed to make an impression against SEAT diesel dominance in 2008. However, the Cruze scored a fifth place behind four SEATs in the first race weekend of 2009 and took some points home – not bad for a car’s first outing.
It is an expensive way of marketing cars, especially if you’re not winning races, and Chevrolet is reviewing its participation. But we digress. The Korean-built Cruze is aimed at what used to be called ‘budget’ cars in the UK, but has since been rebranded in current marketing parlance as the ‘value sector’. As a four-door saloon there aren’t any direct rivals for Cruze at present, but obvious alternatives include the Hyundai i30, Kia Ceed and a recently facelifted Skoda Octavia.
>> Click 'Next' below to read more of our Chevrolet Cruze first drive
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Chevrolet Cruze 2.0 VCTi (2009) CAR review
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Disbeliever says
RE: Chevrolet Cruze 2.0 VCTi (2009) CAR review
No magazine tests cars properly. I have owned Chev Cruze Diesel LT 150 bhp auto. for 1 year. The fuel consumption is appalling for a Diesel only 26 mpg combined . Impossible to read instruments when wearing sun glasses Best instruments found on previous Dodge Caliber that had centrally placed speedo with black markings on White background. CRUZE side vision bad, ride very poor on our rough town roads. Rubbish quality plastic that marks too easily. However roadholding very good,, full size spare butt different size tyre ? Price £14500 with 3 year free service now increased to 5 years make it good value but I will look elsewhere next time. all cars not only Hatches should be fitted with rear screen wiper.
09 April 2011 09:47
Suzie says
The Chevrolet Cruze Review gives you the brief introduction of this vehicle in terms of performance, ride quality, handling and comfort. It is the globally developed mid-sized sedan of General Motors automobile. It have several high tech features, those are attracts everyone. Few standard features are air-conditioning, auxiliary audio jack, full power accessories, satellite radio, keyless entry and much more.
07 April 2011 06:57
lrcb40 says
I hope it's as good as my 2006 Chev. Cobalt SS/SC! It's typical of GM that they make a reasonable little car (does 30mpg) and fail to market it! Mine has the factory 'Stage 2' with nearly 250hp! It's a nice car to drive and goes like the clappers. Even plain Jane Cobalts are comfortable and pretty well put together - it was that fact that sold me on getting one. As a past Vauxhall owner, it's sad that GM Europe have had such good cars (.K maybe the Venctra wasn't) and GM US operations had ignored them! The VX220 is a small supercar so why spend money on the crappy Solstice and Sky variant. DUH! C'mon, GM - just try listening to the customer and work with your other 'arms' to bring a better range of products to us in the USA.
I hope it's as good as my 2006 Chev. Cobalt SS/SC!
It's typical of GM that they make a reasonable little car (does 30mpg) and fail to market it! Mine has the factory 'Stage 2' with nearly 250hp! It's a nice car to drive and goes like the clappers. Even plain Jane Cobalts are comfortable and pretty well put together - it was that fact that sold me on getting one.
As a past Vauxhall owner, it's sad that GM Europe have had such good cars (.K maybe the Venctra wasn't) and GM US operations had ignored them! The VX220 is a small supercar so why spend money on the crappy Solstice and Sky variant. DUH!
C'mon, GM - just try listening to the customer and work with your other 'arms' to bring a better range of products to us in the USA.
19 March 2009 22:50
milky says
for reference its not a rebaged daewoo anymore, its gm's global small car and it was just designed in korea. and its a compact here in america, and those are almost always sedans or saloons or whatever, we dont even get a focus hatch anymore. and the car it replaced had a 260hp turbo 4 that you could get a factory upgrade for the ecu for 40hp .... can you get 300 horspower out of your Avenisis?
18 March 2009 05:54
NaBUru38 says
Dave, in those countries where the Cruze is believed to sell well, buyers prefer saloons over hatchbacks. That's why the Auris and Civic hatches are rare outside Europe.
17 March 2009 18:11
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