MGReviews: 2017 Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback

[vexor]

I don't normally post my reviews on the forum (most are on my website and some on the front page of Revscene) but someone requested a review of this car in one of Aznboi128's car reviews.

The Chevrolet Cruze is quickly becoming one of the most popular compact sedans in the market due to its efficient engine, stylish looks, and relatively inexpensive pricing. For 2017, Chevrolet introduced the Cruze with a Hatchback variant that is set to take on the Mazda 3, Honda Civic, Ford Focus, and Toyota Corolla hatchback versions of their respective makes.



Performance – The Chevrolet Cruze hatchback is only offered with one engine choice. A 1.4L turbocharged 4-cylinder does the work of moving the hatchback. The engine develops 153 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque that gets sent to the front wheels via a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic. While on paper the power figures fall in line with the competition, in reality the Cruze is not quite as fast as one would expect. In fact, it is one of the slowest compact hatchbacks in the segment with a 0-100 km/h time of approximately 7.6 seconds. Not exactly a hot-hatch-ish type of time when the competition is 0.3 to 1.1 seconds faster to 100 km/h.

But where the Cruze does have an advantage over the competition is in fuel economy. In a city the Chevy Cruze can achieve a fuel efficiency rating of 8.1 L/100km and that number improves to 6.2 L/100km when you’re on a highway. The Cruze doesn’t use any sort of hybrid technology or witchcraft just proven and refined technology like direct injection, turbocharging, a start/stop feature, and an aerodynamic exterior. Speaking of which, the start/stop feature in this Chevrolet Cruze hatchback is one of the least intrusive out of any other vehicle model on the market. The time it takes you to move your foot off the brake pedal and onto the gas pedal is more than enough time for the car’s computer to turn the engine back on and be ready to accelerate the car without any delay. It is also smart enough to know when you’re in heavy traffic because after an initial engine shut off, it will not shut it off again if you slowly creep forward and stop and keep repeating. Unfortunately the system cannot be shut off at all.



Comfort – However when you are at a stop light with the engine shut off, you can appreciate the quietness of the Cruze Hatchback. Chevrolet’s engineers spent a lot of time refining the latest generation Cruze and it shows in the quietness of the cabin. Sound absorbing materials have been added throughout the cabin as well as in the wheel wells to reduce exterior noises from intruding into the cabin. As a result, the Chevy Cruze Hatchback’s interior noise levels are better than most at just 69 dBA at 70 mph (113 km/h).

Not only is the interior very quiet but it is also nicely designed and a major improvement over the previous generation. The dashboard is covered in soft touch materials and features unusually artistic designs (for an entry level compact hatchback). The center of the dash is accented by the 8-inch color touchscreen and the only physical buttons are those that you would use most often such as heater controls, stereo volume, a home button, and heated seats. The steering wheel on the other hand is covered in buttons but it doesn’t feel as cluttered as on a Kia Optima for example.

One really nice feature, and somewhat of an overlooked feature during the darker winter months, is the knob for the automatic headlights. The default “automatic” position is always selected and if you do turn the knob to the left to turn them off, it will spring back into the “automatic” position like a dead man switch. So regardless of whether or not you forget to turn on your headlights and taillights when it gets dark, they will turn themselves on and you will not be one of those drivers that will be driving around in the dark with no taillights and relying only on the daytime running lights.

Interior space is plentiful for the front occupants. Optional power seats provide the optimal position for anyone’s stature and in the back, the 60/40 split folding seats provide a segment leading 1,337L of cargo or an adequate amount of room for 3 regular sized adults. Taller people will find their hair rubbing against the roof in the rear seats due to the stylish sloping roofline.



Odds and Ends – Compact entry level sedans and hatchbacks try to please everyone’s needs when they’re looking for a vehicle. Some want comfort, others want driving fun, most want fuel economy and gadgets. So auto manufacturers try to find a balance between all of these features and characteristics but some put more emphasis on certain traits than others. Chevrolet’s emphasis is primarily on fuel economy, refinement, and technology.

Although the Cruze Hatchback starts at just under $21,000 CAD, it does come with a lot of stuff as standard features. Alloy wheels, heated seats, backup camera, Apple CarPlay and AndroidAuto, 10 airbags, and a 7-inch color touchscreen with satellite radio (optional is the 8-inch display). And I haven’t even mentioned the fact that you can remotely start, lock and unlock, or sound the horn from anywhere in the world thanks to the OnStar app. And there’s also 4G LTE with Wifi as standard that lets your passengers surf the internet on their phones or tablets while on a long and boring road trip.

But the Cruze Hatchback can be further kitted out with tech that is designed to prevent you from getting into an accident in the first place. Forward Collision Alert detects slow moving or stopped vehicles in front of you and will sound an alert for you to take evasive action. Rear Cross Traffic Alert detects vehicles or pedestrians that may cross behind you as you’re backing out of a parking stall for instance. And finally Blind Zone Alert and Lane Keep Assist are pretty self explanatory. A fully loaded Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback will set you back $30,500 CAD, including freight and A/C tax.

But the base LT trim at just under $21,000 is fitted with everything that the average consumer may want from a daily commuter vehicle that is inexpensive to insure, great on gas, quiet, and safe for the family.

- Click the link to view more pictures of the 2017 Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback: MGReviews.com/2017-Chevrolet-Cruze-Hatchback

[Liquid_o2]

Appreciate the review, but this seems more of a promotional piece than an actual review? I can find out what features the car has on the Chevy website. Whenever I am reading a car review, I want to know how the reviewer found the ride, handling, etc. in different conditions. Is the fuel economy what Chevrolet states or what you were personally able to achieve? Did you record the sound DBA yourself or is this another statement from Chevrolet?

When writing a review, consider writing in the first person. This allows the reader to understand that you have experienced the car first hand and you are writing from personal experience. Using the word "you" on a consistent basis makes it come across as promotional.

Thank you though!

[320icar]

Yeah I gotta agree with liquidio2 on that one for sure.

Not a fan of the exterior at all, makes me think of an old Toyota Matrix. But that interior is amazing, especially for that price bracket

[vexor]

Originally Posted by Liquid_o2

Appreciate the review, but this seems more of a promotional piece than an actual review? I can find out what features the car has on the Chevy website. Whenever I am reading a car review, I want to know how the reviewer found the ride, handling, etc. in different conditions. Is the fuel economy what Chevrolet states or what you were personally able to achieve? Did you record the sound DBA yourself or is this another statement from Chevrolet?

When writing a review, consider writing in the first person. This allows the reader to understand that you have experienced the car first hand and you are writing from personal experience. Using the word "you" on a consistent basis makes it come across as promotional.

Thank you though!

The reason why I add in what features and specs the vehicle has is because makes for a more comprehensive review. It's everything you need to know in one place. I also won't have people asking me "Does it have this? Does it have that?" because they're too lazy to search for the answer themselves. Plus if it was focused just on how the car is like to drive, the review would be physically very short. There's only so many ways you can say "Slow acceleration, good fuel economy, not as sporty as the competition. The end."

The Fuel and hp specs are from Chevy but noise and performance specs are from Car and Driver.

As for why I write like that because I've tried to write in the first person before and it comes off as being too much about my opinion and people don't like that. They forget that it's my opinion and then they'll start arguing with me about how they're opinion about a particular car is better than mine.

I appreciate your feedback and keep it coming.

[Liquid_o2]

I do appreciate the review, but isn't the whole point of a review (whether it is a car, cellphone, TV, etc.) to give one's opinion?

[vexor]

Originally Posted by Liquid_o2

I do appreciate the review, but isn't the whole point of a review (whether it is a car, cellphone, TV, etc.) to give one's opinion?

yes, I completely agree with you. But like I said people would start arguing with me about how "in their opinion... this is better than this" and so on and "how my opinion is completely wrong and theirs is better". I got tired of telling people that what I write is my opinion so I slightly changed my style of writing to please a bigger crowd rather than just a few like minded people. I still give my opinion in the reviews but I do it in a subtle way and without needing to use "I" in most instances.

[meme405]

Originally Posted by vexor

yes, I completely agree with you. But like I said people would start arguing with me about how "in their opinion... this is better than this" and so on and "how my opinion is completely wrong and theirs is better". I got tired of telling people that what I write is my opinion so I slightly changed my style of writing to please a bigger crowd rather than just a few like minded people. I still give my opinion in the reviews but I do it in a subtle way and without needing to use "I" in most instances.

Sounds like you are catering to the lowest common denominator on that one. Please go refer to the "Generation Z'er are stupid" thread.

You are posting this on a car forum, if I wanted to know that the new Cruze has bluetooth streaming as a standard feature I could easily sort that out without reading your long review.

Like Liquid02 points out I want to know what the reviewer thinks of the car, for example:

"Shifting from park to reverse you feel a large unwieldly and uncomfortable clunk"

"The button placement for the steering wheel controls, feel as if someone with 15 fingers designed them"

"The ride is rougher than a teenagers face"

etc. etc.

If someone wants facts they can refer to the brochure, if they read a review they want to know what the car is like.

Your writing is great, the pictures are awesome. The content is lacking.

[flagella]

Boy, is that one ugly car. The ugliness is further exacerbated by the puke color.

[Timpo]

oh god it's 21st century please just use YouTube thank you very much

[vantrip]

I driven the first gen cruze enough to say and I would suggest never suggest this to anyone to buy. The interior is very cheaply built with lots of cheap plastics everywhere. The engine felt underpowered and shifts slow. I heard good things about the new diesel engine but not sure if its available in canada?
They had a few recalls on it already and it has horrific resale value.

So in short if you want a hatchback get a mazda 3

[vitaminG]

after those focus group commercials i could never buy a chevy. "audi headlights" "this is nicer than my friends lexus"

[!Aznboi128]

Originally Posted by vitaminG

after those focus group commercials i could never buy a chevy. "audi headlights" "this is nicer than my friends lexus"

I have to agree those Chevy commercials are horrible. Every single one of them is utter bull

[320icar]

Originally Posted by vitaminG

after those focus group commercials i could never buy a chevy. "audi headlights" "this is nicer than my friends lexus"

Not only are those fucking unbearably bad, but on YouTube (mobile) they are UNSKIPPABLE 30 SECOND ADS! I fucking hate them so much. Seriously playing to the lowest common denominator.

[smoothie.]

cant turn off start stop?

OUT.

[vitaminG]

Originally Posted by 320icar

Not only are those fucking unbearably bad, but on YouTube (mobile) they are UNSKIPPABLE 30 SECOND ADS! I fucking hate them so much. Seriously playing to the lowest common denominator.

those and theyre are always on during football games. This is how little chevy thinks of people. They think theyre customers are stupid so I will assume they design their vehicles for stupid people and will continue to avoid them.

"would you put a bear in a steel cage or an aluminum one????"

[meme405]

Originally Posted by vitaminG

after those focus group commercials i could never buy a chevy. "audi headlights" "this is nicer than my friends lexus"

Lol the best on one of them the dude gets in the car, and he's still like "Wow this must be like a BMW". Like bitch I can see on the steering wheel it has a chevy emblem, you must be stupid.

Stupid commercials for stupid people.

[godwin]

I suggest OP to team up with MG1 for reviews of cars.. like RS version of Jeremy Cato and Michael Vaughan