Chevrolet Cruze 2.0 VCDi (110 kW) LT

Cruz? What could this mean? Nothing in English. Even closer to the cruzeiro cruzeiro, the currency that was used until 1993 in Brazil. But this Chevrolet has nothing to do with Brazil. The brand is American, it was made in Korea, and the one that you see in the photographs came to us, to Europe.

The editorial staff quickly connected his name with the surname of the American actor Tom Cruise and for the fourteen days of the test they affectionately called Tom. With some imagination, the Cruze can also resemble a "cruise" or "cruise". But please take a walk on it and tell me if it really suits you for a leisurely journey.

Older couples and younger families will be much happier. And with the price they want for it - from 12.550 to 18.850 euros - Cruze only confirms this. It's a pity that the van version is not in the program (neither in sales, nor in the one planned for the next few years), but it will still be the way it is.

During our test, no one complained about its appearance, which is definitely a good signal. In fact, it even happened that one of my colleagues, whose cars are not at all a Spanish village, exchanged it for a BMW 1 Coupé.

Well, I don’t think it looks that similar, so I apologize for the Cruze standing behind the house, parked at a rather odd angle, but this is further proof that the Cruze is not wrong in terms of design.

It seems so, even if you look inside. But before you do, follow the advice - judge materials not by quality, but by how they are made and fit together. So don't look for exotic woods or precious metals, the plastics are compact to the touch, the metal imitation is surprisingly good, and the interior and dashboard are enlivened with merchandise similar to those on the seats.

The dashboard designers did a good job as well. It's not revolutionary at all and is incredibly symmetrical in appearance (proven design recipe!), But that's why most people will love it.

The gauges in the dash even want to be a little sporty, like the three-spoke multifunction steering wheel, the gear lever is close enough to the right palm so the path isn't too long, and it quickly looks like the audio information system, along with the large LCD display above it. ...

It later turns out that this is not entirely true, since the user interface is quite difficult to use (like Opel or GM), that the Cruze is much closer to the parent Chevrolet than the long-forgotten Korean Daewoo, as evidenced by the typical American "blue" interior lighting, numerous wind deflectors for efficient air conditioning, a reliable sound system, and a radio with average radio reception.

Well, without a doubt, the front seats deserve the highest praise. Not only are they highly adjustable and agile (the longitudinal movement of the driver's seat will impress even the largest ones, although there is little legroom left), but they are also designed to provide excellent support throughout the back and lumbar region. Ah, if the steering servo was the same.

Understandably, there is less comfort and space on the back bench, although the space there is not entirely depleted. There are many drawers, a reading lamp and an armrest, and when longer loads need to be transported, a folding and divisible bench in a 60:40 ratio is also adapted.

So in the end it seems like the least perfect trunk with a capacity of 450 liters and therefore with a lid attached to classic brackets (instead of telescopic ones), with a bare sheet of metal that yawns in some places, and with a surprisingly small hole through which to push. longer items of luggage if we wish to carry them.

The test Cruze was the best equipped (LT) and motorized according to the price list, which means that in addition to rich safety equipment (ABS, ESP, six airbags ...), air conditioning, on-board computer, rear parking sensors, rain sensors. , steering wheel with buttons, cruise control, etc. in the nose is also the most powerful unit.

However, it is not a petrol one, but a diesel one with a torque of 320 Nm, a power of 110 kW and only a five-speed manual transmission. I'm only talking because the six-speed automatic is available in other versions as well, but that's another story.

The engine data on paper is inspiring, and doubts that it won't be able to meet Cruz's demands seem completely redundant. This is true. But only if you belong to a more living being. This device does not like laziness, and this clearly shows. When the revs drop below 2.000 on the meter it starts to slowly die, and when it reaches the area around 1.500 it is almost clinically dead. If you find yourself on a slope or in the middle of a 90-degree turn, the only thing that will save you is a quick press on the clutch pedal.

The engine shows a completely different character when the arrow on the counter goes beyond the figure 2.000. Then he comes to life and without hesitation goes to the red field (4.500 rpm). This chassis is easily opposed to the chassis (front springs and auxiliary frame, rear axle shaft) and tires (Kumho Solus, 225/50 R 17 V), and the power steering behaves completely immature, with a fairly direct transmission (2, 6 rotations from one extreme point to the other), and, therefore, with a clearly insufficiently expressed "feeling" for feedback.

But if you look at the price list, it seems that these whims are already somewhat unjustified. Cruze was born not to pamper and impress the driver, but to offer the maximum for its price. And that, at least after what he showed us, suits him very well.

Chevrolet Cruze 1.8 16V AT LT

Base model price: 18.050 EUR

Test car price: 18.450 EUR

Acceleration: 0-100 km / h: 13 s, 8 MHz Place: 402 s (19 km / h)

Maximum speed: 190 km / h (XNUMX transmission)

Braking distance at 100 km / h: 43 m (AM meja 5 m)

engine: 4-cylinder - 4-stroke - in-line - gasoline - displacement 1.796 cm? – maximum power 104 kW (141 hp) at 6.200 rpm – maximum torque 176 Nm at 3.800 rpm.

Energy transfer: front wheel drive engine - 6-speed automatic transmission - tires 225/40 R 18 Y (Michelin Pilot Sport).

Mass: empty vehicle 1.315 kg - permissible gross weight 1.818 kg.

Capacities: top speed 190 km / h - acceleration 0-100 km / h 11 s - fuel consumption (ECE) 5, 11/3, 5/8, 7 l / 8 km.

Chevrolet Cruz 1.8 16V AT6 LT

This time the test was slightly different from the others. Instead of one, we tested two Cruzes in 14 days. Both of the best, that is, with LT hardware and the most powerful engines. Among the filling stations is the classic 1-liter four-cylinder engine with four valves per cylinder, indirect injection and flexible valve timing (VVT).

More interestingly, in addition to the five-speed manual transmission, there is also a six-speed "automatic". And this combination seems to be written on a metal sheet of the name of this car (Cruze - cruise). Chase, although the engine with its 104 kW (141 "horsepower") is not low-powered, does not like it.

Basically, this is counteracted by the gearbox, which simply does not know or cannot react quickly enough to decisive commands from the accelerator pedal. Even if you take control of it (toggle manual mode), it will still stay true to its core philosophy (read: settings). However, he knows how to show his best side to more casual drivers who will amaze them with their gentleness and calmness. And also a surprisingly faint roar of the engine inside, which is almost undetectable.

How much does it cost in euros

Test car accessories:

Metallic paint 400

Roof window 600

Matevz Korosec, photo: Aleш Pavleti.

Chevrolet Cruze 2.0 VCDi (110 kW) LT

Basic data

Sales:	GM South East Europe
Base model price:	12.550 €
Test model cost:	19.850 €
Power:	110kW (150 KM)
Acceleration (0-100 km / h):	10,0 with
Maximum speed:	210 km / h
Mixed flow ECE:	5,6l / 100km
Guarantee:	General warranty 3 years or 100.000, anti-rust warranty 12 years.
Systematic review	15.000 km

Cost (up to 100.000 km or five years)

Regular services, works, materials:	1.939 €
Fuel:	7.706 €
Tires (1)	1.316 €
Compulsory insurance:	3.280 €
CASCO INSURANCE (+ B, K), AO, AO +	5.100 (
Calculate the cost of auto insurance
Buy up	€ 25.540 0,26 (km cost: XNUMX €)

Technical information

engine:	4-cylinder - 4-stroke - in-line - turbodiesel - front-mounted transversely - bore and stroke 83 × 92 mm - displacement 1.991 cm? – compression 17,5:1 – maximum power 110 kW (150 hp) at 4.000 rpm – average piston speed at maximum power 12,3 m/s – specific power 55,2 kW/l (75,1 hp) / l) - maximum torque 320 Nm at 2.000 l. min - 2 overhead camshafts (timing belt) - 4 valves per cylinder - common rail fuel injection - exhaust gas turbocharger - charge air cooler.
Energy transfer:	the engine drives the front wheels - 5-speed manual transmission - gear ratio I. 3,82; II. 1,97; III. 1,30; IV. 0,97; V. 0,76; - Differential 3,33 - Wheels 7J × 17 - Tires 225/50 R 17 V, rolling circumference 1,98 m.
Capacity:	top speed 210 km / h - acceleration 0-100 km / h in 10,0 s - fuel consumption (ECE) 7,0 / 4,8 / 5,6 l / 100 km.
Transportation and suspension:	sedan - 4 doors, 5 seats - self-supporting body - front single suspension, leaf springs, three-spoke wishbones, stabilizer - rear axle, springs, telescopic shock absorbers, stabilizer - front disc brakes (forced cooling), rear discs, ABS, mechanical hand brake rear wheel (lever between seats) - rack and pinion steering wheel, power steering, 2,6 turns between extreme points.
Mass:	empty vehicle 1.427 kg - permissible total weight 1.930 kg - permissible trailer weight with brake: 1.200 kg, without brake: 695 kg - permissible roof load: 75 kg.
External dimensions:	vehicle width 1.788 mm, front track 1.544 mm, rear track 1.588 mm, ground clearance 10,9 m.
Inner dimensions:	front width 1.470 mm, rear 1.430 mm - front seat length 480 mm, rear seat 440 mm - steering wheel diameter 365 mm - fuel tank 60 l.
Box:	Trunk volume measured with AM standard set of 5 Samsonite suitcases (278,5 L total): 5 places: 1 suitcase (36 L), 1 suitcase (85,5 L), 1 suitcases (68,5 L), 1 backpack (20 l). l).

Our measurements

T = 17 ° C / p = 1.200 mbar / rel. vl. = 22% / Tires: Kumho Solus KH17 225/50 / R 17 V / Mileage status: 2.750 km
Acceleration 0-100km:	9,3s
402m from the city:	16,7 years ( 136 km / h)
Flexibility 50-90km / h:	11,9 (IV.) S
Flexibility 80-120km / h:	12,8 (W) p
Maximum speed:	210km / h (V.)
Braking distance at 130 km / h:	69,6m
Braking distance at 100 km / h:	41,1m
AM table:	41m
Test errors:	unmistakable

Overall rating (269/420)

• If you are the type of customer who wants to get the most for their money, then this Cruze will definitely take the top spot on your wish list. You won't be able to come to terms with his image, and some of the little things may bother you, but in general, he offers a lot for the price.

• Exterior (11/15)

  It comes from the East, which means it is well made, but at the same time surprisingly European.

• Interior (91/140)

  There are not many shortcomings in the passenger compartment. The front seats are great and there is plenty of movement. Less enthusiastic about the trunk.

• Engine, transmission (41
  
  
  / 40)

  The design of the engine is modern and the drive is reliable. The five-speed gearbox and engine agility below 2.000 rpm are disappointing.

• Driving performance (53
  
  
  / 95)

  This chassis will also carry the new Astro, providing a secure stance. The steering wheel could be more communicative.

• Performance (18/35)

  The agility is desperate (engine-transmission), but the overall performance isn't bad. The braking distance is solid.

• Security (49/45)

  Despite the Cruz's affordable price tag, safety cannot be questioned. The packages of active and passive equipment are quite rich.

• Economy

  The price is very affordable, the expense and warranty are acceptable, the only thing that “beats” is the loss of value.

We praise and reproach

nice shape

interesting price

reliable chassis

shape and offset of the driver's seat

steering wheel shape

efficient air conditioning

rich safety package (depending on the class)

Parktronic signal too low

flexibility of the motor in the lower operating range

small and medium trunk

non-communicative steering servo

limited rear height

cheap sound when unlocking and closing the door