by "JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7" (jayzayeighty)
Published 05/27/2017 at 23:09
by "JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7" (jayzayeighty)
Published 05/27/2017 at 23:09
Tags: Chevy Cruze
STARS: 1
I never thought I would say this about a modern car of its ilk that is not a performance-oriented variant of its namesake, but the Cruze seems like a thoroughly great car. It’s still not nearly enough “economy” for me, but it’s the first recent American econobox that works for me (at least in theory). More than that, GM finally seemed to get the intangible feel of the car right. I saw a hatchback today and found myself a bit smitten. The LE2 is impressive for what it is with its light weight, fully floating wrist pins, and forged crank as well. But more than anything, it just looks right. The manual transmission and hatch, of course, need not be justified here. And I like the idea of domestic production if not only because of a good middle ground between build quality and cost effectiveness. My only qualm is the required infotainment, which is really a complaint about it being too nice. Any opinions on the new Cruze trying not to be a (cringe warning) Snuze?
"Probenja" (probenja)
05/27/2017 at 23:27, STARS: 2
And I like the idea of domestic production if not only because of a good medium between build quality and cost effectiveness.
I’m pretty sure the Cruze Hatch is built in Mexico, I just don’t see a reason to get one over a Civic, 3, Golf, Corolla or Impreza.
"Carbon Fiber Sasquatch" (turbopumpkin)
05/27/2017 at 23:27, STARS: 2
It’s unpretentious and sensible without coming off as cheap, kinda like an American Golf. I really like it too but I test drove an Elantra sport today and liked that more. The hatch version comes out in a few months and I’ll probably get one.
"DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time" (dc3ls-)
05/27/2017 at 23:44, STARS: 2
My one, and pretty much only complaint, is that the steering is absolutely lifeless. I don’t just mean the regular ramble about EPS, but there is literally zero feedback and it simply won’t return to center at all.
Other than that. I actually test drove one (for shits and giggles) at the end of the last calendar year. You could get a lot of luxury stupid cheap. However I don’t know if that’s the case anymore since the ‘18 model years have probably hit lots.
I wrote a review about it, I’m too lazy to go dig it up, put I called it a baby Cadillac. Because it rides really smooth, the suspension isn’t responsive either. And I though it rode kind of high for a compact.
Other pluses are that the leather was amazing. Driving it was when I realized why leather’s a premium material. Plus the one I drove even had heated rear seats and they only wanted like 23k for it. That was also a sedan, not a hatch.
"CRider" (crider)
05/28/2017 at 00:12, STARS: 1
Does the Corolla still use a twist beam rear axle and 4 speed?
"Amoore100" (amoore100)
05/28/2017 at 00:42, STARS: 1
Yes to all except the Corolla. What a rubbish car for the price.
"Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle" (1500sand535)
05/28/2017 at 00:54, STARS: 1
The Sonic hatch with the 1.4t is a bit more intriguing to me. If ever an RS lands in town, I’ll go give it a drive. On paper and reading reviews it seems like something halfway between a fiesta ecoboost fse and st.
"Leon711" (leon711)
05/28/2017 at 03:16, STARS: 0
It’s based on either the current or previous gen Opel Astra (my head says definitely current, but that windowline is exactly that same as the previous astra so in Europe competes with the Golf, Focus and others in that crowded sector, they sell for around the same money as a Golf but VW has the better brand image over here.
"TheBimmerGuyWhoNowOwnsAChevy" (thebimmerguy)
05/28/2017 at 03:53, STARS: 1
I’m glad that someone besides me can say good things about the cruze hatch, it’s not the best car in the world, but it doesn’t deserve the hate that I often see it gets.
"pip bip - choose Corrour" (hhgttg69)
05/28/2017 at 07:13, STARS: 1
saw my first one on Friday. we’re getting it as the Holden Astra sedan.
looks alright
"Nibby" (nibby68)
05/28/2017 at 10:00, STARS: 2
what a time to be alive, heated rear seats for $23k
"BahamaTodd" (bahamatodd)
05/28/2017 at 11:19, STARS: 1
Its unfortunate that GM doesn’t have any presence in Europe with this car. Highly unlikely they will ever come out with a performance version.
"boxrocket" (boxrocket)
05/28/2017 at 12:51, STARS: 1
I’ve driven a few of the new sedans and one of the hatches. They feel larger than expected (no longer compact and tossable), vague steering, and the interior feels like generic interchangeable gm, same thing from a trax all the way up to an escalade.
I’d take the Mazda3, Elantra/Forte hatch, and even the semi-obscene Civic hatch first, personally. Or even a Focus ST, given the offers on them now.
"not for canada - australian in disguise" (for-canada)
05/28/2017 at 14:07, STARS: 1
I quite like it. It’s good looking, comfortable, practical, and efficient. Some have complained about the numb steering, which makes sense, but it’s not like it’s trying to compete with hot hatches or anything. Maybe those arguments will be more valid if and when we get a Cruze SS (fingers crossed). I’m just glad they ditched the Lacetti-based Cruze for a more Astra based one. Daewoo is a manufacturer best left in the past.
"not for canada - australian in disguise" (for-canada)
05/28/2017 at 14:07, STARS: 0
You rang?
"Svend" (svend)
05/28/2017 at 14:51, STARS: 0
Yep. GM in Europe, aka Vauxhall/Opel.
Almost never do performance versions of their cars. Shame.
"Svend" (svend)
05/28/2017 at 14:58, STARS: 0
So you get the Astra hatchback from Vauxhall/Opel Astra, but you get the Astra saloonfrom the Chevy Cruze? Even though Opel are in the final stages of the Astra saloon.
"BahamaTodd" (bahamatodd)
05/28/2017 at 15:37, STARS: 0
Completely different cars. I’m referring to the Cruze.
"Svend" (svend)
05/28/2017 at 16:14, STARS: 0
I’m afraid it was a little hard to tell which way you were directing the comment at.
Whether GM Europe don’t offer performance options or whether it was with a lack of a Chevy presence with the Cruze in Europe would cause Chevy to want to make a performance option that would get adopted into the U.S. Market.
My bad if it was not intended to be the former.
"Probenja" (probenja)
05/28/2017 at 17:47, STARS: 0
6MT or CVT and IRS in the Hatchback.
"pip bip - choose Corrour" (hhgttg69)
05/28/2017 at 17:56, STARS: 0
Yep
"Carbon Fiber Sasquatch" (turbopumpkin)
05/28/2017 at 18:29, STARS: 0
It’s based on the current Astra but has softer and less sporty suspension. I’d probably get one if it was set up like the Astra
"ASH" (headcase650)
05/28/2017 at 19:15, STARS: 1
I’m glad your feeling all domestic....but the Cruze Hatch Back is only produced in Mexico. This move cost hundreds of people there job in Lordstown where the sedan is made. They could have easily built this car in the US but chose to invest south of the border.
"LastFirstMI is my name" (donstone13)
05/28/2017 at 19:28, STARS: 1
Reminds me of the Impreza. Needs an STi equivalent!
"JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7" (jayzayeighty)
05/28/2017 at 23:08, STARS: 1
That’s what I like about it, too. The Elantra Sport also seems like a good offering, and it appears that Hyundai put a lot of effort into it. I’d like to hear an owner’s opinion of that car.
"JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7" (jayzayeighty)
05/28/2017 at 23:16, STARS: 0
It seems like a pretty incredible value, and the previous gen was a comfortable cruiser for the size/price. It was the last car my grandfather bought and it still serves my grandmother well. I wouldn’t imagine that it’s exhilarating, though, when I would take some worm-gear steering systems over bad EPS.
"JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7" (jayzayeighty)
05/28/2017 at 23:17, STARS: 0
I didn’t realize that until you pointed that out. The others are definitely compelling, though I can really only justify the Golf and 3 in terms of aesthetics.
"JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7" (jayzayeighty)
05/28/2017 at 23:20, STARS: 1
Agreed. The platform just seems superior in every way. Numb steering does bother me, but this seems like a good little car in the traditional sense. I also would probably be tempted to drive it pretty hard.
"Carbon Fiber Sasquatch" (turbopumpkin)
05/29/2017 at 09:28, STARS: 0
The test drive I had of the Elantra Sport sold me on it. It’s what a compact car should be. Not overly sporty or harsh but exceptionally competent and perfectly powered. Able to push you back in your seat if you floor it. It’s the perfect daily driver.
"The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock" (jukesjukesjukes)
05/29/2017 at 12:43, STARS: 1
There was a Cruze SS, in the form is the Verano Turbo.
"DoctorNine" (doctornine)
05/29/2017 at 13:51, STARS: 0
Maybe because it will likely be the last diesel manual hatchback ever made for the US market? And you can get it in brown?
"JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7" (jayzayeighty)
05/29/2017 at 14:03, STARS: 1
Smaller with the same engine is a great formula. I just wish that it looked a bit more like the Cruze hatch, but I agree about it being a great halfway mark.
"JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7" (jayzayeighty)
05/29/2017 at 14:04, STARS: 1
Good to know. Steering is always a top priority for me. I bet a deal on the Focus ST would make it a superior value.
"JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7" (jayzayeighty)
05/29/2017 at 14:06, STARS: 0
That would be nice. Bigger turbo and reworked suspension with good tires would do it!
"Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle" (1500sand535)
05/29/2017 at 15:21, STARS: 0
Your post had me looking at spec sheets, because I got cuhrious. I noticed the Cruze is pretty light for the class, whereas the Sonic is a little heavy for its class. Also, the Cruze has an updated version of the 1.4 so it makes 15 more hp than the Sonic.
What’s funny is with seats folded, the cargo numbers are the same. But as you point out, the Cruze has a better shape. I’d also be curious about steering feel, and I bet the Sonic just feels more go-karty.
"AladdinSane" (bowie01081947)
05/29/2017 at 21:16, STARS: 1
Steering feel is, I feel, quite important. I agree with you. The pity of it is that most sedans, compact and midsize models, have vague steering which is most disagreeable (speaking for myself). Peace...
"JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7" (jayzayeighty)
05/30/2017 at 14:20, STARS: 0
I had misread Chevrolet’s release... unfortunately. This stinks of creating an excuse to move production exclusively to Mexico because “the one we made there was still more popular.” Not that this is a politically expedient opinion here, but I am on the same page with you. I like the car, but if they would just make it competitive with the imported competitors in terms of driving characteristics like steering feel it would be on par. Domestic production would push it over the top for a lot of people. Another instance of upper management acting against the interests of the workers.