2010 Chevrolet Cruze - Test drive review

[nickatnite]

@wik_a

This car does look cool in black.

Interiors/dash board

The dash board makes up for lack of leg space and other minor niggles in the interior as i see it. Dollops of chrome surround every gauge and knob. There's every kinda geegaw from tripmeter, cruise control, distance to efficiency(dte), multi-information display, tachometer, speed/temp gauges and parking sensors, which is a big plus for making parallel parking a less gut wrenching experience. There is no ignition key in this car(keyless entry). You get a small plastic box like a fob and as long as you carry it with you, will automatically unlock the doors as you walk towards the car(1 meter distance). Walk away and it will automatically lock the doors. You press a 'Start" button on the left of the dash to power the engine.

Interior seating is a little tight for really tall drivers but adequate for others upfront. In the rear is a different story.Ingest a tub of biriyani with brinjal curry and you will be hard pressed when trying to exit. I blame the seats more than space.The car does have adequately high ground clearance and one feels quite high up while on the road though it does look like a low slung car in stance.

The factory fitted 6-cd/mp3 changer is really good and unless one's a sound freak, there's no need to replace it.All controls are easy to locate and operate. The sound system is speed/noise sensitive and automatically adjusts itself accordingly.

The LTZ model is equipped with a factory fitted electronically operated sunroof.The test car has one. If you look closely you can make it out.Also, there is better sunproofing in this car than many other new models i have seen here recently. The glare is much less.Add, airbags, ABS/ABD, steering mounted audio controls, electonically adjustable/foldable mirrors and leather seating to the never ending list of features in this car, including emergency exits!

I'll give the interior ergonomics an 8/10

[RetardedBuddy]

12 there equals 20 here. Which means this car will be a success |-)

Its 12.99 (13) and at rate of 1.78 its like PKR 23lacs approx.

[/quote]

LOL and add the fact that here cars are over priced by another margin of retardednessness it will come close to 30

[nickatnite]

Chunky monkey!

The gearshift in the test car was a bit notchy, but a vast improvement over the Optra. The Indian Optra has a rather nice aero front end, but in comparison with this car the Optra now looks like an old hand maiden long past her prime. The Optra will continue to be sold at a much lower price (RS8-9lacs) for the budget conscious buyer. Suspension is taut and i can visualize this car being taken for a spin on a track and holding up rather well.

[nickatnite]

Engine

Push the 'start' button and the CRD(Common Rail Diesel-150bhp & 327Nm of torque @2600rpm) beast comes to life. This is the best part of this car. Sheer joy and you would never feel you're driving a diesel.You can floor this thing and it leaps like a cat going after prey. The braking is awesome and specs can be found in the website. I drove this car in congested Saturday afternoon traffic and didn't feel any turbolag as mentioned by other drivers. Maybe i was gentle on the pedal. I wouldn't bother waiting for the petrol and pray for an early release of the automatic tranny version, which is awaited.

[AmmarFaiz]

nice review bro!

[nickatnite]

Boot space is 450 liters.

The little yellow lever is the emergency exit helpline. One has to crawl through the rear seat and pull that thingy to freedom.

[nickatnite]

I wish there was less of the globs of plastic and the rear was more contoured to complement the coupe stance of this car. Notice the absence of 'amber' turn signal lights on all new Indian cars as GOI regulations permit only 'red' lights now. Same in the new TATA Manza sedan too.The Cruze is 100% all-Indian equipped with locally sourced components and manufactured at GM(India)'s factories located at Halol in Gujarat state. The price is cheaper by approx. RS50,000 in north-central and western India compared to the South as transportation and other State taxes are added on. Hyundai, Ford, Mitsubishi and BMW cars are cheaper in Chennai as compared to the rest of India as they're made locally. Overall, i rate this car 8/10 for looks, 9/10 for the CRDi powerplant, 8/10 for ergonomics, 7/10 for rear seating and 10/10 for equipment and trim levels. The price is reasonable for the features on offer. This is my review of the Cruze. Thanks to @all for your comments.

[rizla]

I would consider this a fairly average family car in any other country but in Pakistan this would classify as a high end luxury car.

[ToofaneBatameezi]

Very briefly written!! Great!! (Y)

So...So Pakistani famous two-oh-dee makes...anyone?

[malik593]

well guys i may sound absurd but this car is heaving ford FOCUS front and civic JDM back the mufler is disgusting indeed but i have seen it on road its ok but not attractive except the front grill styling

[wasifali89]

looks a good option for us in pk

[nickatnite]

@Toofan....

Brieflty?!. I worked up a sweat writing this review.:o

@malik593

This car, IMO, is the first product from Chevy that can stand up to the Civics and Corollas and be counted in that segment. That's why i felt it merited special attention. Even in the US market, i feel it will be considered seriously enough to make an impact. In the Indian market, GM has raised the bar on itself and made an inroad into the all important executive sedan segment which is among the fastest growing here and the main competition is the Corolla, Civic, Laura , Sonata etc.

[ToofaneBatameezi]

Oh! :o ....Well done sirjee..hope it helps everyone!! As rumors are also pretty strong here in Pk about Cruze's launch!!

So how did they pay you?

[wik_a]

The factory fitted
60
-cd/mp3 changer...

You meant 6, right? :o

Your review reveals that this car is literally fully loaded. (Y)

[nickatnite]

Oh! :o ....Well done sirjee..hope it helps everyone!! As rumors are also pretty strong here in Pk about Cruze's launch!! So how did they pay you?

Pay me?. I wish. Anyone can walk in from the street and take a test drive if they have a valid driver's licence. Methinks the thread below was created with you in mind...

https://www.pakwheels.com/forumreply_az_TopicID!124565~ForumID!1~pw.html

@wik_a

6-cd changer it is. The car is feature full. As i mentioned earlier, thankfully the audio controls weren't intergrated into the multi-function pod.

[Ruffian69]

12 there equals 20 here. Which means this car will be a success |-)

Its 12.99 (13) and at rate of 1.78 its like PKR 23lacs approx.

[/quote]

LOL and add the fact that here cars are over priced by another margin of retardednessness it will come close to 30

man if that was the approach for price calculation, people would have had to pay something about 2 millions to buy the lowest trim of toyota altis and the cheapest in pakistan as the Ex showroom price of an altis 1.8G Petrol estimates around 1132600 in india, likewise the price of Honda Civic would have been way to higher than it is at present, to back up the statement here are the Honda Civic prices taken from an indian website i.e. http://www.hondacarindia.com/ownahonda/pricelist.aspx

Civic 1.8S MT : Rs. 1,241,000
Civic 1.8V MT : Rs. 1,335,400
Civic 1.8V AT : Rs. 1,413,000

while in here u can buy the same with just about 28 to 30 precent of difference in price, as the prices of Honda civic in Pakistan are: source pakwheels.com

Honda Civic i-VTEC Manual Transmission Rs. 1,590,500
Honda Civic i-VTEC Posmatec Transmission Rs. 1,676,000
Honda Civic VTi Oriel Manual Transmission Rs. 1,733,500
Honda Civic VTi Oriel Prosmatec Transmission Rs. 1,800,000

hence you see the price variation is not that much, if the cruze in india costs about Rs. 1300000 the price tag should be something above 16.5 mil in pakistan according to my calculation. please correct me if i am wrong.

[metallicfusion00]

front, rear and interior all a bit wanna be.... as if the manufacturer wanted to put in features and styling of a bigger sized car, its a compact sedan, styling is of medium family sedan. the interior has so much to offer and more like the good average cars, but the whole thing seems to be squeezed alot. the front is all good, lower edges of the front bumpers might be a bit lowered. rear silver garnish is not looking good just below the golden chevrolet sign, mufler is very ordinary, double exhaust would have suited the car at great deal. even if it will be in the price segment of civic and altis in Pakistan, it wouldn't be a success in Pakistan, but if 3S will be improved, definitely in times to come its sales may reach equal to liana. nexus should keep the price under 1600K to get it going well.

[wik_a]

[quote=]hence you see the price variation is not that much, if the cruze in india costs about Rs. 1300000 the price tag should be something above 16.5 mil in pakistan according to my calculation. please correct me if i am wrong.

[/quote]

No you're not wrong on pricing. But we weren't talking the way you took us either. In fact we were just criticizing the prices here. Not at all products are priced like this. It was just a sarcasm.

[Ruffian69]

[quote=]hence you see the price variation is not that much, if the cruze in india costs about Rs. 1300000 the price tag should be something above 16.5 mil in pakistan according to my calculation. please correct me if i am wrong.

[/quote]

No you're not wrong on pricing. But we weren't talking the way you took us either. In fact we were just criticizing the prices here. Not at all products are priced like this. It was just a sarcasm.

Opps i must have had my head burried in the sand and failed to catch your drift sir ...

[jazzy77]

great review of a nice car.

it will look much beautiful on the roads of Pakistan.