Topic: 2011 Chevy Cruze

[Snowdog]

The Peugeot looking ones yes.
 

The Peugeot looks pretty tame when compared to what happened at Mazda when they let their designers drop acid and watch too much Cars (Pixar).

[rrocket]

The Peugeot looks pretty tame when compared to what happened at Mazda when they let their designers drop acid and watch too much Cars (Pixar).

LOLOLOL...I almost had oatmeal stout shoot out my nose when I read that...too funny!!

[sailor723]

GM would do well to study Hyundai's recovery from their dismal reputation in the dark days following the Pony and the Stellar. They have a long way to go if they hope to take any sales back from Honda or Toyota.

[DrJay]

 

True enough considering both Honda and Toyota are studying the Hyundai business model in an effort to rediscover their roots.

[Mitlov]

My beef with the Cruze is that it looks cheap from the outside.  It looks like a slapped-together rental car to me.  Particularly in light of the new Focus.  It doesn't matter if its interior is far nicer than a Cobalt's and if it's drivetrain is much better than a Cobalts if buyers assume it's just another Cobalt and skip over it.  Why couldn't they have slapped a trunk on the Cruze's platform-mate, the MkII Opel Astra, and called it a day style-wise?  Nearly the same car, but but looks much richer.

[TopGun]

.....
Why couldn't they have slapped a trunk on the Cruze's platform-mate, the MkII Opel Astra, and called it a day style-wise?  Nearly the same car, but but looks much richer.

Yup...

They should add some chrome to the Cruze's window surrounds.   

[Dante]

Why couldn't they have slapped a trunk on the Cruze's platform-mate, the MkII Opel Astra, and called it a day style-wise?  Nearly the same car, but but looks much richer.

They may keep that scenario for the Buick.
I think the new Astra is my current favorite for a compact hatch design. I'm not too keen about the platform though - torsion beam. In that respect I think the new Focus would still be top-pick (to be confirmed in the months to come once the reviews start flowing).
To me, the Cruze design looks Korean (which it is) so it doesn't resonate with me at all. It's just a slightly better Corolla which is not much to say.

[ArticSteve]

To me, the Cruze design looks Korean (which it is) so it doesn't resonate with me at all. It's just a slightly better Corolla which is not much to say.
 
Toyota did a real nice job with the lastest Corolla.  Very clean lines.  Cruze appears to be failed copy.

[Erik]

Hey, if GM is going after volume, the Cruze is MUCH better looking then a Corolla. I realize that is damning with faint praise....

[Dante]

To me, the Cruze design looks Korean (which it is) so it doesn't resonate with me at all. It's just a slightly better Corolla which is not much to say.
 
Toyota did a real nice job with the lastest Corolla.  Very clean lines.  Cruze appears to be failed copy.

Maybe by Toyota's standards, which are rather low. I don't see any resemblance between the two other than they are rather bland.

[Ex-airbalancer]

it looks like it has a lot of head room, easy to get in and out of, and sits higher then the Ford which makes a big difference to a lot of older people
Without have to worry about splitting sales with Pontiac, it should have good sales number

[Zoo]

Would love to see that 2.0L Diesel come here as an option. Also curious to see how that 1.4L engine will be received here.

[Leviathan]

Also curious to see how that 1.4L engine will be received here.

A turbo /usually/ has better low end torque vs an na engine of same HP* so it will probably well received providing it doesn't self destruct after 100,000Kms.

* those with more turbo knowledge jump in (or on) here 

[Zoo]

Boy do I have bad memories of those mid 1980s Chrysler turbos. My friend had a LEbaron from that era and there was no power while you were waiting for that turbo to spool up. Turbo lag indeed.

Modern turbos are so much better.

[Leviathan]

Boy do I have bad memories of those mid 1980s Chrysler turbos. My friend had a LEbaron from that era and there was no power while you were waiting for that turbo to spool up. Turbo lag indeed.

Modern turbos are so much better.

GM & Ford are certainly hoping so 

[DrJay]

"Hey, if GM is going after volume, the Cruze is MUCH better looking then a Corolla. I realize that is damning with faint praise...."

Agreed but its more than looks here if you look at anything Toyota has produced of late one could argue the designs have been bland at best but they sell tons of those crayollas. I like the fact that GM have kept up those bold styling cues but IMO build quality is going to be key here for long term success and especialy in what is arguably the biggest "value" segment. Thats a stigma GM is going to need time to overcome as they will not survive another major stumble. 

[Leviathan]

Everything you could possibly want to know about the 1.4L turbo in this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BWCMXcA4Lk&feature=player_embedded

[Zoo]

I sold the Civic because I needed the larger space for my sales use. If I needed another compact I would consider a Cobalt or Elantra for a used purchase because of the steep depreciation. There were Cobalts a couple of years old with 60000kms and less for sub $8000. There was one with just over 60000kms and 3+ years old for around $6400. With a thumbs up by a trusted mechanic it would make a sound used car buy for someone. The Eco tech 4s and the autos are a proven combo. While thirstier than the Hondas and Corolla you would more than make up for the extra fuel costs with the thousands saved up front.

Will be interesting to see if the Cruze suffers the same steep depreciation of the Cobalt. My gut instinct suggests that it will. Despite how good recent Elantras have been they still suffer steep depreciation.

[Leviathan]

Also the GMC Granite and Chevy Orlando are due at the Detroit Auto Show in a weeks time.  The Granite looks like it might be a Scion xB/Kia Soul type competitor.  Not exactly... but in the vein of a smaller, boxy, "youthful" vehicle.

Here's a bit of info on the GMC Granite.  Sounds like an interesting vehicle but it doesn't belong in the GMC brand IMO.  I guess it would have been given a Saturn badge not so long ago. 

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/06/general-motors-teases-gmc-urban-utility-concept/

Red: GMC Granite
Blue: Scion xB
Yellow: GMC Terrain

A rebadged Chevy Orlando?

That is what everyone is saying but the diagram there suggests that it may ride on the same platform (Cruze/Orlando) but be a very different vehicle.  IMHO that would be a good thing.

This video says that it isn't on the Orlando platform http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvJ3_a8aOTM&feature=player_embedded

[Snowdog]

Everything you could possibly want to know about the 1.4L turbo in this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BWCMXcA4Lk&feature=player_embedded

Sounds like a well designed engine.