Shnak - I know where you're coming from - the posters in the Hyundai threads are trying to do the same thing and we keep ending up with these derailed threads.
The Cruze may not be the second coming but it is an exciting product coming from the General and there is a lot on the line with this one. Compared to the Cavalier and Cobalt they've done a lot of things the right way. Is the Cruze a class-beater....probably not. However, it legitimately belongs in the discussion with the best cars in this class. Sad as it is....this is big news for GM.
As I mentioned previously, I don't think there's anything wrong with GM or their fans being proud of this car. Compared to some of the that has come out of this company this car is proper step forward (this may or may not be saying much). I look at the Regal in the same light....not the second coming and lots of faults....but a proper step forward and a car that can be mentioned with the competition without snickering.
Producing a car that will actually be cross-shopped with the perennial class leaders is a big step forward for GM. The question becomes is it too late for this now?
See, that's another problem I have with the Cruze... a huge part of all the excitement is because it's made by GM, who, for once, doesn't bring a totally crappy car to this segment. If it was Honda or Toyota that's bringing the Cruze as it is to market, you'd have a ton of people complaining it's not very fuel efficient, it's heavy, it's this, it's that... but because it's GM and because it's better than what they've done before (hard not to be, really), it's great!! How about we judge a car on its own merits, uh? The Cruze is competent, appears comfortable, well equipped (and I've applauded GM for the 10 air bags before), and is certainly competitive, but it's not that exciting to drive, engines are barely sufficient, weighs a lot and as a result its fuel economy trails many of its competitors and it's really expensive for what it is, a compact car. Good, yes. Best thing since sliced bread? Not even close.