A scion of the mighty GM Group, the new Chevrolet Cruze is a bold move to mix style with value for money which I am pleased to report that after my test thanks to Dobies of Kingstown, Carlisle, it fulfils in spades.

When the Ford Focus replaced the ageing Ford Escort in1998 it was a technological and design breath of fresh air which rapidly set the bench mark for all small family car.

And though all manufactures have come out with their own interpretations, the Focus still holds its top selling spot in the league of best selling cars, the image helped by the World Rally Championship Ford Focus versions built by Malcolm Wilson’s M-Sport at Cockermouth.

However, the latest manufacturer to have a stab at knocking the Focus off its pedestal is the Chevy Cruze which thankfully is not a warmed over old Vauxhall, nor is it a hand-me-down from the old Daewoos which were badged as Chevrolets, but uses the brand-new chassis designed for the new Vauxhall Astra on to which Chevrolet have put a modern body, designed by the man who was responsible the new and world-beating Fiat 500.

A coupe shape, I like the double grill front and sweeping lines, with good sculpting to hide any slabbiness and it is rounded off by a neat backside.

The slopping rear of the tear-drop window line is attractive and distinctive which will doubtless give it a decent drag coefficient, and the slightly butch wings complete what is a harmonious look from any angle; the profile even has a hint of a BMW 5-series!

If I am honest, I don’t go much for the big, gold Chevy emblem on the grill which I find to be the only slightly jarring note, but then I am not big on bling on any car.

This, however, did not influence my opinion that Chevy’s pay off line for the Cruze, ‘a view of the company’s future’ is right as it is a huge step forward from the boring Lacetti which had fun poked at it by Clarkson as the ‘reasonably-priced car’ on Top Gear.

The main and obvious difference between the old models and the Cruze is the sense of it being solid and well-built, with doors shutting with a clunk and shut lines being good, as well as having a general feeling of quality.

This sense is carried through into the very fashionable interior containing high quality plastics and materials using a design cue that echoes with the sweeping design of the outside.

The wrap-round dash blends beautifully into the doors and the very logical centre console, edged in look-alike aluminium, slopes down to the stubby 5-speed gear knob for the 5-speed ‘box.
The driver binnacle contains clear instruments and the over-all effect is of sitting in an aircraft cockpit which gave me a sense of confidence and security

Roomy both front and back, the Cruze seats five comfortably and the boot, though slightly narrow for loading due to the sloping back end, has a good amount of space

Keenly priced, the base Cruze is £11,494 which is quite well equipped but the test model was the LS version which for a £1000 more is extremely well blinged with rear sensors, air con, alloys, a great entertainment system and a chromed-edged grill.

Not only is the Cruze well-equipped to keep the driver and passengers comfortable and well entertained, it boasts a good set of safety equipment and handling aids.

With its good looks which would not shame anyone, the Cruze ticks all the boxes as its deceptive quality makes it a good choice for a family on a budget but who do not want to look like they are bargain basement merchants.

But what does it drive like you ask and to find out I gave it a whirl on country roads and motorways.

Being built to match the pockets of normal and not super rich families, the Cruze is powered by a brand-new 1.6-litre engine with very modest figures of 113bhp peaking 6400rpm and 153Nm of torque in the range at 4200rpm.

The result is the Cruze is neither blessed with a revvy engine, nor a particularly torquey one which means the driver has to really work hard at getting anything near lively performance from it.
This is endorsed by the book which says it will hit 62mph in 11.2 seconds and get to 115mph in a following wind.

So don’t buy the Cruze if you want to light up the tarmac but if you want a stylish and comfortable car with a modest price tag and want to avoid petrol stations as much as you can, then the Chevy is a good choice as it will do over 40mpg with reasonable emissions of 159g/km.

In the cruise on the motorway the Cruze is a quiet companion which will eat up the miles in comfort and with enough bells and whistles to keep brats or grandparents perfectly happy.

On country roads they will enjoy the same safe comfort due to the compliant suspension which also means that there is a small degree of roll if hustled, but with Electronic Stability Control (ESC) the driver can still have some fun were he or she are on their own.

Car choice, like life, is a compromise and I think Chevrolet have been very cute in the design of the Cruze which looks the business, is very well screwed together, has lots of equipment as standard, is very economical to run and is very keenly priced when set against any of the opposition with, for example, a similar Ford Focus 1.6 which would set you back £18k+, though being a top seller the Focus’s residual value is likely to be higher.

With the economy the way it is we are all looking to cut down on motoring costs and on that basis the Cruze is well worth looking at.

Story by Tony Brunskill
Vehicle Supplied by Dobies Carlisle 01228 558916