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The new Chevy Cruze has been tagged in many auto stories as Chevrolet’s “world car.” Seems Chevy has set its sights on a piece of the European car market with the Cruze and, for that matter, a piece of Korea’s and China’s market too. If what the world hungers for is a reasonably priced compact sedan that handles well,...




The new Chevy Cruze has been tagged in many auto stories as Chevrolet’s “world car.” Seems Chevy has set its sights on a piece of the European car market with the Cruze and, for that matter, a piece of Korea’s and China’s market too.



If what the world hungers for is a reasonably priced compact sedan that handles well, is attractive and saves money on gas, then Chevy is fielding a winner at these world games.



The Cruze, which weighs in between Chevy’s subcompact Aveo and popular Malibu, is the company’s main contender against the likes of the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla and VW Jetta – all world cars in their own right.



What the Cruze brings to the playing field is above-average handling, exceptional poise over rough pavement, class-leading interior and trunk room and gas mileage rivaling even some hybrids.



Chevy has also extended its powertrain warranty on the Cruze to 5 years/100,000 miles. This puts the Cruze ahead of the pack on powertrain security, while remaining on par with its competitors on its bumper-to-bumper warranty at 3 years/36,000 miles.



What Chevy is realizing, thanks to the Cruze’s winning combination, is that compact sedans aren’t just for kids anymore. Whereas drivers of affordable compact sedans often trend younger and, thus, less likely to be able to afford higher-end vehicles, the Cruze’s fuel economy and ability to deliver value for the buck seem to have broadened its appeal.



Keith Treuting, general sales manager of Bryan Chevrolet in Metairie, says the Cruze is attracting buyers in a wide range of ages and with a wide range of needs. “The neat thing about the Cruze is that it’s got something for everyone. Whatever their interests, there’s something that will appeal to them. For some it’s the styling, for others it’s the technology,” explained Treuting.



Empty-nester who no longer need a large vehicle, young families with longer work commutes who want to save money on gas, the Cruze’s all-around likeability seems to be bringing them all into the Chevy fold.



A solid-feeling vehicle, the Cruze does a great job of sheltering its occupants from road noise and vibration thanks to additional soundproofing materials. The steering is responsive and tracks right on the money, while the suspension holds it all together in a taut sporty package. The Cruze never lets you feel as if you’ve lost touch with the road, even on the roughest patches or tightest turns.



If there’s one quibble about the Cruze, it’s that its automatic transmission seems to be in love with second gear. Of course, that could all be part of the grand scheme of things over at Chevy to optimize gas mileage. After all, the love affair was most noticeable when rudely urging the 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine into hurry-up mode.



Driven by someone with manners, I’m sure the Cruze would be a whole lot more compliant and reward its driver with jaw-dropping gas mileage.



This brings me to the Eco model of the Cruze, which is rated at 28 mpg in the city and 42 mpg on the highway. Just to put things into perspective, the Honda Civic Hybrid gets 40 mpg in the city and 43 mpg on the highway. So by doing everything from lowering the car and lightening the weight to sealing the undercarriage from wind drag, Chevy has managed to eek out highway mileage on the Eco that’s close to a hybrid’s without making customers pay the extra MSRP for one.



Even if you opt for one of the non-Ecos on the list of available Cruze models, gas mileage is still something to be proud of. The majority of Cruze models average 26 mpg in the city and 36 on the highway.



Cruze models available in

Tags: Chevrolet

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Chevy Cruze: Approved for mass consumption was originally published by New Orleans Auto Reviews: Chevrolet. Read the full story by clicking here.