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Chevrolet Cruze (2009 – 2015) Review

Chevrolet Cruze (2009 – 2015) At A Glance

4/5

+Good value for money. Also comes with a six-speed automatic. Decent VCDi diesels. Driver and passenger seats both height adjustable.

-Lacks more sophisticated rear suspension of Astra on the same platform.

Insurance Groups are between 14–23
On average it achieves 83% of the official MPG figure

The proportions of the body are very pleasing from all angles. And though ‘C Sector saloons aren't offered by many manufacturers, they are precisely what a lot of people want, particularly the recently retired who have got hooked on golf.

It's got everything most people are likely to want, it drives, rides and handles decently, and it's a really good looking car.

Reviews for Chevrolet Cruze (2009 – 2015)'s top 3 rivals

Mitsubishi Lancer
2/5
Comes as saloon and a five-door Sportback. Competent and handles reasonably well. Ralliart is good fun.
Dodge Caliber
2/5
Tough looks, easy to drive, practical and cheap. Won't attract anti-4x4 vitriol.
Chrysler Delta
3/5
Rebadged Lancia with unique styling. Uses proven Fiat engines including impressive 1.4 MultiAir. Good...

Chevrolet Cruze (2009 – 2015) handling and engines

Out on the road, the steering is light, but with enough ‘feel' to let you know what the wheels are doing. Our 1.6S could hardly be called a tearaway, but it had only done 600 miles, so the engine was still ‘tight'. Handling and roadholding are perfectly safe, and fine for most people's requirements. North West Monsoonal weather conditions ensured we checked that out with due diligence.

In contrast, the 2.0 150PS diesel LT at a rather more money grabbing £15,195 (£3,700 more than the perfectly adequate 1.6S) at first seemed a disappointment. When the engine is relatively cold there's very little pulling power under 2,000rpm and it's reluctant to trickle along at low revs. It improves as it warms up, but the fuel metering is nothing like as precise as a VAG Piezo system and can leave the engine gasping if you leave it in too high a gear when you're turning into a roundabout, for instance.

But eventually I got used to it, and also to its inclination to understeer, which can be countered by letting it move a little bit on its tyres. I guess if I could settle into the car in half an hour, any owner could in a day or two. But I'd still question the wisdom of forking out that extra £3,700 for the benefit of just nine more miles per gallon on the combined cycle. The cheaper, lower spec 125PS version, coming late summer, will obviously narrow this particular gap, of course.

Finally, we got to try the 1.8LT automatic that comes in at £14,695. Though a 6-speeder, it doesn't hunt between gears in the 30 and 40 limits and is pleasant to drive. On the motorway it cruises at the same relaxed 35mph per 1,000 rpm in 6th as the diesel does in its top gear. Its disadvantage, of course, is a relatively high CO2 of 184g/km that puts it in Band J for road tax.

Engine MPG 0-62 CO2
1.6 38–43 mpg 10.9–12.7 s 153–174 g/km
1.6 Automatic 36 mpg 12.9 s 184 g/km
1.7 VCDi 110 76 mpg 12.2 s 99 g/km
1.7 VCDi 130 63 mpg 9.6 s 117 g/km
1.8 38–43 mpg 10.0–11.1 s 155–174 g/km
1.8 Automatic 36 mpg 11.5 s 184 g/km
2.0 VCDi 43–52 mpg 8.5–10.3 s 141–175 g/km
2.0 VCDi Automatic 42–45 mpg 9.4–9.9 s 167–177 g/km

Real MPG average for the Chevrolet Cruze (2009 – 2015)

RealMPG

Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.

Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.

Average performance

83%

Real MPG

19–51 mpg

MPGs submitted

51

Chevrolet Cruze (2009 – 2015) interior

Dimensions
Length 4597–4603 mm
Width 1788 mm
Height 1477 mm
Wheelbase 2685 mm

Full specifications

The large 450-litre boot easily swallows two sets of clubs lying sideways in the handy indentations behind of the wheel-arches, with enough space for two compact trolleys tucked away in front of them.

Another unusual but much requested feature is height-adjustable driver and passenger seats across the range, starting with the £11,495 1.6 S model, which also has air-conditioning, electric front windows and electric mirrors.

Sold already? I'll go on. The fascia is nicely styled with the radio controls set sensibly high. There are adjustable cup-holders between the front seats and bottle-holders in the doors. There's enough leg and headroom for three across the back.

Chevrolet Cruze (2009 – 2015) models and specs

Dimensions
Length 4597–4603 mm
Width 1788 mm
Height 1477 mm
Wheelbase 2685 mm
Miscellaneous
Kerb Weight 1285–1432 kg
Boot Space 450–469 L
Warranty 3 years / 60000 miles
Servicing 10000–20000 miles
Costs
List Price £13,795–£20,705
Insurance Groups 14–23
Road Tax Bands A–I
Official MPG 36.2–76.3 mpg
Euro NCAP Safety Ratings
Adult -
Child -
Pedestrian -
Overall 5

On sale until June 2017

Saloon
Version List Price MPG 0-62
1.7 VCDi 110 LTZ Nav 4dr £20,095 76.3 mpg 12.2 s
1.7 VCDi 130 LTZ Nav 4dr £19,795 62.7 mpg -

On sale until January 2015

Saloon
Version List Price MPG 0-62
1.7 VCDi LTZ 110 4dr £20,095 76.3 mpg 12.2 s
1.7 VCDi LTZ 130 4dr £19,795 62.7 mpg 9.6 s

On sale until June 2012

Saloon
Version List Price MPG 0-62
2.0 VCDi LTZ 4dr £18,200 52.3 mpg 8.5 s
2.0 VCDi LTZ Auto 4dr £19,205 44.8 mpg 9.4 s
2.0 VCDi LTZ Executive 4dr £19,700 52.3 mpg 8.5 s
2.0 VCDi LTZ Executive Auto 4dr £20,705 44.8 mpg 9.4 s

On sale until October 2011

Saloon
Version List Price MPG 0-62
1.6 LS 4dr £14,530 43.4 mpg 10.9 s
1.6 LS Auto 4dr £15,810 38.1 mpg 12.7 s
1.6 S 4dr £13,805 43.4 mpg 10.9 s
1.8 LT 4dr £15,605 42.8 mpg 10.2 s
1.8 LT Auto 4dr £16,910 38.1 mpg 11.1 s
2.0 VCDi LS 4dr £16,670 50.4 mpg 8.5 s
2.0 VCDi LT 4dr £17,330 50.4 mpg 8.5 s
2.0 VCDi LT Auto 4dr £18,610 42.8 mpg 9.4 s

On sale until April 2011

Saloon
Version List Price MPG 0-62
1.6 LS 4dr £14,520 41.5 mpg 11.8 s
1.6 LS Auto 4dr £15,845 36.2 mpg 12.9 s
1.6 S 4dr £13,795 41.5 mpg 11.8 s
1.8 LT 4dr £15,595 41.5 mpg 10.0 s
1.8 LT Auto 4dr £16,945 36.2 mpg 11.5 s
2.0 VCDi LS 4dr £16,665 51.4 mpg 10.3 s
2.0 VCDi LT 4dr £17,325 50.4 mpg 8.7 s
2.0 VCDi LT Auto 4dr £18,645 42.2 mpg 9.9 s

On sale until January 2011

Saloon
Version List Price MPG 0-62
2.0 VCDi S 4dr £15,045 51.4 mpg 10.3 s

Model History

August 2008

All-new Chevrolet compact family car unveiled , made debut at Paris Motor Show October 2008 and went on sale in spring 2009. Inside, has a twin-cockpit design, with a distinct centre console dividing the front into separate areas for the driver and passenger. At launch, three engines were offered: 1.6-litre 112PS and 1.8-litre 140PS petrol units, both with variable valve timing for optimal power, fuel economy and exhaust emissions, or a 2.0-litre 150PS common-rail turbodiesel.

September 2008

Shown at Paris Motor Show. Designed and engineered by GM-Daewoo in Korea, effectively replaced Lacetti. The four-door Cruze on show will be the main seller, not just in the US, but in Asia too – big markets such as China and Japan favour the saloon style – which is why it’s being launched before the Europe-oriented five-door hatchback and estate versions, which will break cover next year.

March 2009

Chevrolet Cruze UK Prices announced from £11,545 on-the-road. On sale from July 2009. Choice of four engines – 1.6 (113PS) and 1.8-litre (141PS) petrols featuring variable valve timing for maximum performance and efficiency, plus two diesels, both 2.0-litres and with a choice of 125PS or 150PS power outputs. Automatic transmission will be offered on the petrol models.

Chevrolet Cruze 1.6 S has remote central locking, follow-me-home lighting, CD radio system, electric front windows, a fully-adjustable driver’s seat and steering wheel, six airbags, ESC, soft-touch cabin materials, and premium blue-backlit dashboard dials. The 1.6S A/C model, at £11,995, also adds air conditioning.

Chevrolet LS model includes air conditioning as standard, plus other upmarket features such as 16-inch alloy wheels, a chrome edged radiator grille, front fog lights and reverse parking sensors.

Chevrolet Cruze LT comes with 1.8 petrol or 2.0-litre diesel and cruise control, climate control, an automatic anti-dazzle rear view mirror, an upgraded high-output stereo, electric rear windows, chrome detailing and 17-inch alloy wheels, plus the option of an integrated satellite navigation system.

  • 1.6 S £11,545
  • 1.6 S A/C £11,995
  • 2.0 VCDi S A/C 125PS £13,495
  • 1.6 LS £12,595
  • 1.6 LS auto £13,695
  • 2.0 VCDi LS 125PS £14,095
  • 1.8 LT £13,595
  • 1.8 LT auto £14,695
  • 2.0 VCDi LT 150PS £15,195

February 2010

Top model Cruze 2.0 VCDi LT with six-speed torque converter automatic announced £17,145 on-the-road. The six-speed transmission can operate in full auto mode, saving drivers the legwork in heavy traffic, yet at the same time offers a manual shift function, offering all of the performance and flexibility of a manual gearbox when needed. Powered by a 150PS 2.0-litre common rail diesel engine, it accelerates from 0-60mph in an impressive 9.6 seconds, on to a top speed of 124mph. Yet at the same time, it offers 42.2mpg combined Combined with CO2 emissions of 177g/km.

July 2010

Chevrolet BTCC styling pack for Cruze. The ‘CS’ styling kit consists of 18-inch white multi-spoke alloy wheels, lowered suspension, a boot spoiler, unique CS graphics and matching tailored carpet mats. The CS Kit is available on all trim and engine variants of the Cruze at the time of order, and costs £1,595, including VAT fully fitted, at participating Chevrolet retailers from mid-July 2010 onwards.

What to watch out for

15-01-2011:

One (only one) report of a driveshaft snapping.

03-02-2011:

In the USA, a new axle shaft (or halfshaft) for the right front wheel could be in order for some 2011 Chevrolet Cruzes with the 1.8-liter engine. In T.S.B. 11225B issued on Nov. 15, General Motors said road splash could cause corrosion on the shaft, leading to a fracture if the corrosion were severe. The company will replace the parts on all models susceptible to the condition. Owners of affected cars should receive a letter about the repair.

29-11-2016:

On automatics the brake pedal switch may fail or become detached, locking the quadrant in 'Park'.

21-12-2017:

Automatic transmission failure reported on 2013 Chevrolet Cruze 1.8.