What is it? The Chevrolet Cruze made its North American debut at the Detroit auto show. This new compact sedan will be powered by either a 1.4L four-cylinder turbocharged engine with E85 capability or a 1.8L four-cylinder. GM expects the turbo engine to deliver better fuel economy than their current fuel leader, the Cobalt XFE, which is EPA rated at 37 mpg on the highway. The Cruze will have a choice of either a six-speed automatic or manual transmission.
Safety features include front, side, and side-curtain air bags, electronic stability control with rollover sensors, and OnStar. The Cruze features a new design face for Chevy with a sporty, coupe-like exterior and arching roofline.
CR's take: As evidence of GM's global development strategy, the Cruze was developed in South Korea to be their next global small car. Versions will be sold world-wide, and this platform is the basis for the Volt. Sitting in the Cruze, its abundantly clear that this interior feels a lot more substantial than the chintzy one in the Cobalt. At first glance, rear seat room is par for the course in this class.
When will it be available? First half of 2010.
Consumer Reports New cars: A to Z
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