Bigger, not necessarily better, than most budget rivals.
By Simon Harris
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The budget car sector can be a dreary old place. It’s an arena in which mainly non-enthusiasts operate with priorities based on trying to find acceptable A-to-B transport with plenty of kit and the back-up of a decent warranty. Even when budget car makers achieve competence (Kia Ceed and the Hyundai i30), their inoffensive lines make them almost invisible to many of us. Chevrolet is about to make a bigger impression on this sector of the market, not least because its new global compact car, the Cruze, is rather larger than other new cars for the money. The Cruze replaces the utterly forgettable (formerly Daewoo)Lacetti saloon, unlike which it will also be part of Chevy’s North American line-up. It sits between Skoda Octavia and Ford Mondeo in size and, unlike some old Korean offenders, manages to be distinctive without being truly repulsive. The bold front end incorporates Chevy’s new signature two-tier grille treatment and swept-back lamps but it’s bland at the rear. Chevy could learn a thing or two from newly rejuvenated Vauxhall. |
It’s surprisingly pleasant inside, with attractively designed audio controls and the pale blue backlit instruments have an eclipse effect found on some premium products. There are no soft-touch plastics, but a few swathes of fabric (on low-end models) or ‘leather’ provide distraction on the fascia.Diesel fans can go for 125bhp or 150bhp common-rail 2.0-litres with a variable-geometry turbo, or there are 113bhp 1.6 and 141bhp 1.8 petrol options.
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The Cruze feels pretty surefooted, keen to tackle corners with only the inert steering to stop your smile. It shrugged off switching vectors on our twisty test route in northern Spain as well as would any Octavia or Jetta. While the petrol engines feel pretty feisty, the 150bhp diesel looks a little better on paper than it performs on the road. It runs smoothly most of the time, if not as quietly as some rivals, and with less than 2000rpm showing at a steady 110km/h, it feels very relaxed on the motorway. Problem is, tall gearing in fourth and fifth can send you hunting for lower gears when you’re tackling anything much steeper than a gentle incline. Good for fuel economy and emissions though. The range-topping LT model is well-equipped and compares well spec-for-spec against cars like the Octavia, but the entry-level car doesn’t come with air-con as standard while plenty of other budget cars provide it for the same money. Add to this the fact that Korean rival models offer longer warranties and the flaws in the Cruze’s package as a value product become more evident. |
Although people in the market for budget cars are perhaps more price-sensitive than many other customers, they also tend to be less well-informed about the choices available for their money. Chevy better hope so because the Cruze doesn’t quite hit the mark.
