L.A. Auto Show: 2011 Chevy Cruze Fails to Excite
Dec 02 2009 by Sherrice Gilsbach
GM intends to break the compact-car mold in the U.S. with the introduction of the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze. However, the only thing even mildly earth-shattering about this fuel-efficient sedan is that it has more interior space than its competitors, the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic. That’s about as exciting as plain oatmeal gone cold and stuck to my son’s face.
There are some things to like about the Cruze: It has edgier lines and more sculpting than a Chevy Malibu, and it should get 40 mpg on the highway if equipped with a special fuel-efficiency package. The interior is nice-looking, but it’s nothing to get giddy about.
Sitting next to the Chevy Volt, which is slated to hit showrooms in November 2010, the Cruze seems like a wallflower here at the L.A. Auto Show.
User Comments
The Chevy Cruze is far more elegantly designed than any Toyota or Nissan. The Corolla is as boring as its big brother, the Camry. In fact, nothing in this segment excites me, so exactly what are you trying to say Sherrice? The ar is head and shoulders above the current Colbalt, and considering the Volt wont be released until a year from now. Compared to other cars in the range, this car is far fropm boring. The interior alone has more styling elegance than any other car its competing against.
Sherrice,
What do you want out of this car? It looks nice, gets 40 MPG, and appears to be a huge upgrade to the Cobalt. That is exactly what Chevy was going for.
I think she is talking about how the ford focus looks better
I’m surprised too. I am in the market and want great mileage and a little car that doesn’t look like my moms (or my teenage sons!)! Just saw the Cruze and it is exactly what I want. I’m waiting until August and I’ll be first in line at the dealership!
What a pity…
I do not understand how GM manages to have such a ‘floating couch” boring products portfolio in this segment.
The old Saturn was a departure from this line but unfortunately no finesse to say the least.
One can argue that the Corolla has nothing inspiring but it is addressing a market section where dependability is the main concern, no GM territory here.
My hope is that the upcoming Focus will highlight the difference between riding a car and driving one, addressing the market section where the buyer has to chose the least of the evils and hopefully educating the both the ones who did not have the opportunity to know better in this price range as well as the last century’s mindset in the car decision makers echelon.