2011 Chevrolet Cruze REVIEW

We used to know what to expect from a budget Korean-built family car. Its design and dynamics would be some distance off the pace set by mainstream alternatives, the interior would be a festival of grey plastics and the engines would maintain a safe distance from the cutting edge. On the plus side, there would be generous equipment levels and low, low prices. Chevrolet's Cruze is a Korean-built family car but even in entry-level 1.6 S form, it isn't quite what's expected.

But then, the UK budget car sector isn't what it once was. Korean brands Hyundai and Kia have made a break up market with their latest products while other stalwarts of the bargain basement like Skodahave made similar bids to improve quality. Shifting a lot of metal at rock bottom prices might not be quite the attractive business model it once was but where does that leave Chevrolet? The brand has long had a confusing position in the UK market, selling attractively priced south-east Asian cars with a famous American badge on the nose. It's business as usual in that respect but cars like the Cruze compact saloon are going to be judged by higher standards now that erstwhile rivals have migrated towards the mainstream. The 1.6 is the entry-level Chevrolet Cruze engine and with 112bhp available, fireworks never look likely. So it proves. Performance is adequate in most situations but this reasonably modern powerplant (it features variable valve timing and cam-phasing) doesn't have a lot more to give when you need to put your foot down. The noise levels increase as the rev counter homes in on the redline but without the corresponding boost to performance, the best policy is usually to change up early. The ride can be jittery over bad surfaces but is generally composed and, appropriately enough, the Cruze is a comfortable cruiser. It also handles much better than expected, resisting roll admirably and showing a nice neutral balance through corners. The steering in the 1.6-litre models is noticeably sharper and more direct than in the plusher diesel cars which have the extra weight of a big oil-burning engine over their front wheels.

"The Cruze is a good looking car with sound driving dynamics that's reasonably well built and affordable"

If you're interested, 0-62mph performance from the 1.6-litre engine is measured at 11.8s with a 115mph top speed, which isn't too bad for the entry-level engine. The suspension layout is fairly a standard for the compact saloon class with MacPherson struts at the front and a torsion beam at the rear. Extra effort has gone into stiffening the body structure and this is a central reason for the car's polished performance on the road. The Cruze is a handsome-looking thing from most angles with the sharp creases around the bonnet and the lower body mixing well with the long curve of the roofline. The short overhangs front and rear produce a well planted stance on the road and the face is distinctive - large headlights and a tall grille complete with a big yellow Chevrolet bow tie. Interior space is pretty good for four occupants. Only headroom might become an issue for taller rear seat occupants. The boot can accommodate 450-litres, which is good for the class. The build quality inside the Cruze is considerably better than expected given some of Chevrolet's past efforts. The controls are clearly laid out with big buttons and an interface that doesn't require much getting used to. The chunky steering wheel is another highlight and there are big door pockets along with a large box in the centre console to help keep the place tidy. Compared to mainstream compact saloons, a lot of the plastics are sub-standard and the mix of gloss black and metallic finishes on the higher spec cars are a bit gaudy. The entry-level S trim level does without the worst of these stylistic excesses and although the centre console buttons are finished in a lower grade material, its simpler approach might be preferable. The 1.6S is the entry-level option in the Cruze range but it still has the essentials on its equipment list. Features like air-conditioning, remote central locking, a CD stereo with an AUX input for MP3 players and electric front windows are standard. On the safety front, there's an equally encouraging showing with the S getting ESC stability control plus front, side and curtain airbags. Priced at around £12,000, the Cruze looks affordable next to other saloon cars of similar dimensions but there aren't too many of those about these days. The biggest problem facing the Cruze in the UK market is the lack of a hatchback bodystyle as, unlike other European nations, we simply don't by compact saloons in any great quantity. The key rivals for the Cruze will be the likes of Kia's Cee'd and Hyundai's i30 which are both hatchbacks, not to mention Skoda's Octavia (another hatch) and Mitsubishi's Lancer which is offered in hatchback or saloon form. The 1.6-litre engine returns a distinctly average 41.5mpg on the combined cycle in the Chevrolet Cruze, with emissions of 159g/km. It's not going to break the bank but there are more cost-effective options. Chevrolet's residual values haven't been particularly buoyant in the past which is a more significant mark against it. At least insurance is much more encouraging, the 1.6S falling into a very reasonable group 4. If you're considering a compact saloon from the budget end of the market, Chevrolet's Cruze deserves at least a portion of your attention. The problem for Chevrolet is that if you're a motorist in the UK, the odds are that you aren't considering anything of the sort. The Cruze is a good looking car with sound driving dynamics that's reasonably well built and affordable in 1.6S form but small saloons don't sell very well in the UK and there are no plans to develop a hatchbacked version. The Cruze is undoubtedly one of Chevrolet's most convincing efforts to date in the UK. The entry-level Cruze 1.6S would be a perfectly agreeable ownership proposition and could even be the pick of the range with its low price and enjoyable handling. The engine isn't particularly sparky and the interior is noticeably more downmarket than the plusher models but this may not matter to buyers in the hunt for cheap family transport.

Facts At A Glance 
CAR: Chevrolet Cruze 1.6S 
PRICE: £11,995 - on the road 
INSURANCE GROUP: 4 CO2 EMISSIONS 159g/km 
PERFORMANCE: 0-62mph 11.8s / Max Speed 115mph 
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 31.4mpg, (extra urban) 51.4mpg, (combined) 41.5mpg 
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front, side and curtain airbags / ABS with EBD / Seatbelt pretensioners / ESC. 
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Heightmm 4597/1788/1477mm