Chevy Cruze LT - The Oppositelock review

"Kate's Dirty Sister" (KDS)
10/02/2014 at 15:37 • Filed to: Oppositelock review

The Chevy Cruze, the darling of oppo, judging by how many opponauts have one.

[ Full Disclosure : Nobody wanted me to test the Chevy Cruze, I just got to the Budget counter to claim the "midsize" car my company reserved for me. Of course I was expecting something like a Malibu and was secretly hoping to get upgraded to a full size.. Though luck. The clerk offered me to upgrade to a Ford Escape for 16$ a day, but being a somewhat financially responsible person, I declined and took off in the Chevy Cruze LT... ]

The base Cruze LT, which stands for LightweighT, come with a 4 banger of some sort, all the amenities a modern Jalop need and a slick 6 speed automatic transmission.

So let's go straight to the point and rate that ride.

Exterior - 5/10

Needless to say, the Cruze isn't a sharp looking car, but it's not ugly either. That is not necessarily a bad thing, some people like it that way.

Acceleration - 6/10

The word here is adequate, it's not fast by any means, but not slow either. Power delivery is sufficient for all normal road circumstances. It probably does the sprint to 60 faster than an E30 325i.

Braking - 6/10

The word here is adequate, again. Nothing impressive, but nothing to worry about. It will get you to a full stop in a decent manner.

Ride - 7/10

Surprisingly good, I was honestly expecting worse, but it's kinda good.

Handling - 6/10

When compared to a Cobalt or a Cavalier, it is day and night. Of course it's not a Golf or a Mazda3, but feels safe and predictable.

Transmission - 7/10

The 6-speed is good, it's smooth and shifts quickly, even in manual mode which you shouldn't bother with anyways.

Audio - 1/10

Holy shit.

One word : mono

Toys - 3/10

It has everything all new cars have, so nothing to write home about.

Value - 7/10

It's an honest car at an honest price, but the resale value will bites you in the ass if you want to get rid of it before it reached the state of jalopy, it's losing some points here.

Final Score:

48/100

Engine: 4 pot of some sort

Power: Adequate

Torque: Adequate

Transmission: 6 speed automatic with manual shift mode

0-60 Time: Probably faster than an e30 325i

Drivetrain: Wrong wheel drive

Curb Weight: Lightweight

Seating: From 1 to 5

MPG: Not even half a tank for 300KM, good.

MSRP: 190$ for one week, without insurance, as tested

DISCUSSION (24)

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > Kate's Dirty Sister
10/02/2014 at 15:43

I like the stats. Think you could tell me more?

Kate's Dirty Sister > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
10/02/2014 at 15:47

Just ask

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > Kate's Dirty Sister
10/02/2014 at 15:48

How bad was the sound truthfully?

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Kate's Dirty Sister
10/02/2014 at 15:50

If you need/want actual specs...

1.4T I4 (At least if it's an LT Fleet)

138 horsepower @ 4900 RPM

148 ft-lbs torque at 1850 RPM

3,102 lbs

0-60 about 8 seconds

Kate's Dirty Sister > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
10/02/2014 at 15:54

Sounds like a battery-powered transistor radio from the 80's, and the reception is bad as well. 1/10 is actually generous.

Kate's Dirty Sister > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
10/02/2014 at 15:58

On behalf of the community, thank you.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > Kate's Dirty Sister
10/02/2014 at 16:03

Damn, that's bad. They do have an option for better speakers but I assume that this was a rental car so it was baser than base.

Kate's Dirty Sister > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
10/02/2014 at 16:14

I don't think baser than base exist.

The car has pretty much electric everything, leather wrapped steering, AC, rearview camera, BT, cruise, etc. That's what you get if you don't upgrade the radio. They must have some sort of tech packages.

They don't have special assembly lines for rentals ...

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > Kate's Dirty Sister
10/02/2014 at 16:22

Just one question...where have you been?

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
10/02/2014 at 16:59

How the hell does 138hp haul it to 60 faster than my car?!

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Kate's Dirty Sister
10/02/2014 at 17:00

" 0-60 Time: Probably faster than an e30 325i"

This is so true.

I'm so amused by people with these who think BMW = fast in a straight line.

Then get blown away by pretty much every econobox on the planet in a drag race.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > Kate's Dirty Sister
10/02/2014 at 17:10

I got confused forgot LT wasn't base LS is.

Kate's Dirty Sister > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast.
10/02/2014 at 17:59

Where what ? with the car or on oppo ?

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > Kate's Dirty Sister
10/02/2014 at 18:01

On Oppo. I have noticed you around lately.

Kate's Dirty Sister > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
10/02/2014 at 18:08

Well, you need to take into account than an E30 is a 30 years old car. 8.5 to 60 was fast back in its day, as many cars where int the 10 to 12 sec. range, but by today's standards, it would be considered slow.

I really only wanted to point out that despite being on the lower end of the modern performance spectrum, this modest Cruze is capable of very decent performances.

With that said, an E30 in good condition (not many left) is definitely a lot more pleasant to drive, but these domestic compacts have come a very long way.

Kate's Dirty Sister > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast.
10/02/2014 at 18:17

Check my comment history, I never really left.

I was part of the mass exodus to G+ at some point, but came back because G+ it was becoming seriously disturbing (it still is, more then ever).

I came back when they cleaned Kinja, over a year ago, but mostly on the FP. In fact, I've been pretty active on the FP since then, much less on oppo, not really my thing anymore, but I do lurk from time to time and jump in when I see something interesting.

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > Kate's Dirty Sister
10/02/2014 at 18:26

I tried the g+ thing, but for some reason couldn't get into it. I've been avoiding the FP though, for the most part. People get their panties in a wad a little too easily there...welll today someone on Oppo too but whatever....Good to see ya again!

Roadster Man > Kate's Dirty Sister
10/02/2014 at 18:51

My buddy has the manual transmission one and he really enjoys it. You paid as much to rent it for a week as he pays monthly for the lease! It's a cheap car.

Roadster Man > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
10/02/2014 at 19:00

I have a 2300lb miata with 133HP. I think i can take this sucker!! A V6 minivan on the other hand...

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
10/02/2014 at 20:31

Because it has 2 more gears to work with and all the torque comes in at basically idle.

And something tells me it's a helluva lot lighter.

Stephen the Canuck > Roadster Man
10/03/2014 at 14:38

I have it with a manual too. I also really enjoy it. And you're right about it being cheap, and that's also more per month than my lease payments.

Stephen the Canuck > Kate's Dirty Sister
10/03/2014 at 14:39

Having my own Cruze LT 1.4T 6MT, and having a extensively driven an automatic version (my girlfriend's), I will say that it's almost a totally different car with the manual. So much more fun, feels like there's more power.

I really love my Cruze, and am always pleasantly surprised by it.

Kate's Dirty Sister > Stephen the Canuck
10/03/2014 at 17:14

You guys have 2 Cruze's ?

Stephen the Canuck > Kate's Dirty Sister
10/03/2014 at 18:02

Yeah, we do. Her old Sunfire was totalled in an accident, and my old Grand Am decided it wanted to eat it's transmission from the inside out. She got a grey LT auto on a Tuesday, and I picked up my grey LT manual on the Friday. We both like our cars a lot. And got a really good deal.