It's not to say that the Cruze is the most tempting offer on the market. However, finding a car with such a set of options and a sense of solidity for the same money is not easy. Its appearance is expressive — a successful mix of elegance and sporty notes, the technical content is modern, and the indicators are quite decent. If you ironically attach a badge of, say, a German brand to the radiator grille, an unprepared buyer could easily mistake it for a "German."
But in reality, it's an "American" with Korean roots. You open the door — and you see the most ordinary interior. Rational, nice, generally well-assembled, but without the slightest hint of luxury.
The front panel is trimmed with the same fabric as the seats. The steering wheel has duplicated control buttons.
There is something to find fault with. For instance, the "aluminum" trim of the central console looks somewhat pretentious. But covering the dashboard with fabric like the seats is a good solution, though not original. However, I liked the little things designed for driver convenience: a clip for a parking card on the sun visor and an eyeglass case instead of a handle on the ceiling.
The seat has wide ranges of mechanical adjustments, but finding the ideal position is not so easy. Not every driver will sit here comfortably. However, the front passenger may also be uncomfortable.
ALMOST NO SHAKING
The second row is also not very comfortable. Firstly, there is not enough space. Secondly, it's problematic to place your legs. And if passengers are tall, the shape of the roof takes its toll — the ceiling hangs right over the head.
Moreover, rear passengers cannot count on separate climate system vents. At the same time, the climate control itself works quite decently: the set temperature is reached quickly and maintained with good accuracy.
The ride smoothness overall is also at a good level. True, the rear suspension reacts too sharply to sharp irregularities like tram tracks or drainage gutters. Other road defects are swallowed calmly, so rear passengers have nothing to complain about.
COMPLETE IDYLL
Comfortable, quiet, economical, and cozy — an ideal car for long "flights" on the highway.
FLIGHTS IN DREAMS
The engine characteristics, chassis settings, and tires dictate a calm driving style. It's better to forget about the sporty ambitions hinted at by the appearance. Someone might, in the heat of the moment, compare the Cruze to a four-door coupe, but it looks much more harmonious in the class of compact sedans. Although not the most compact — the length is 4.6 meters.
Newton-meters and horsepower seem to be enough. Still, the engine works somewhat roughly and does not provide the desired dynamics and elasticity. The gears in the gearbox are stretched, which is why during overtaking or on inclines, even gentle ones, you have to shift down an extra time.
To be fair, the fuel consumption measurements pleased. On average, it comes out to 9.3 liters per hundred, and outside the city — even less, 7.8 liters. There is nothing surprising about this: it is precisely on suburban highways that such a car feels in its element.
AMERICA IN THE INTERIOR
Boxes, pockets, and shelves for small items — in abundance. The driver's seat is adjustable in height.
• 1598 cm³ • 109 hp • 4 cylinders, petrol • from $18 226 (145 800 UAH)
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Manufacturer data Chevrolet Cruze 1.6
• Engine: front transverse, petrol, 4 cylinders, cylinder diameter — 79 mm, piston stroke — 81.5 mm, displacement — 1598 cm³, maximum power — 109 hp at 6000 rpm, maximum torque — 150 Nm at 4000 rpm, 4 valves per cylinder, compression ratio — 9.5:1, distributed injection, Euro 4
• Transmission: front-wheel drive, manual, 5 speeds
• Wheels and tires: 205/60 R16, alloy wheels 6.5Jx16
• Body: sedan, 4 doors, 5 seats
• Suspension: front — independent, transverse arms and telescopic struts, coil springs (MacPherson), rear — semi-independent, coil springs, anti-roll bars, hydraulic telescopic shock absorbers
• Brakes: disc, front — ventilated, ABS
• Steering: rack and pinion with power steering
• Dimensions and weight: wheelbase — 2685 mm, front track — 1544 mm, rear track — 1558 mm, length — 4597 mm, width — 1788 mm, height — 1477 mm, curb weight — 1285 kg, gross weight — 1788 kg, maximum trailer weight — 1200 kg, trunk — 450 dm³, tank — 60 l
• Place of production: Vsevolozhsk (Russia)
SUMMARY
The Cruze intends to conquer the market with affordability, offering decent content and pleasant design at the price of a supercompact car. The difference with competitors is significant, and in our opinion, the game is worth the candle. You just need to turn a blind eye to some trim flaws and not pay attention to talk about a not very prestigious brand. For those who want to rack up big mileage on a fairly attractive car without extra fuel costs, the Cruze can be pleasant company.
WHAT ELSE CAN YOU BUY FOR 540 000 RUBLES?
The alternatives are obvious: either well-equipped urban compacts of various origins, or classmates of Russian assembly and Korean models. The rest of the competitors are noticeably more expensive — naturally, in the larger direction. In Russia, for the Cruze, in addition to the 1.6-liter engine, a 141-horsepower 1.8-liter engine is also available.
But in reality, it's an "American" with Korean roots. You open the door — and you see the most ordinary interior. Rational, nice, generally well-assembled, but without the slightest hint of luxury.
The front panel is trimmed with the same fabric as the seats. The steering wheel has duplicated control buttons.
There is something to find fault with. For instance, the "aluminum" trim of the central console looks somewhat pretentious. But covering the dashboard with fabric like the seats is a good solution, though not original. However, I liked the little things designed for driver convenience: a clip for a parking card on the sun visor and an eyeglass case instead of a handle on the ceiling.
The seat has wide ranges of mechanical adjustments, but finding the ideal position is not so easy. Not every driver will sit here comfortably. However, the front passenger may also be uncomfortable.
ALMOST NO SHAKING
The second row is also not very comfortable. Firstly, there is not enough space. Secondly, it's problematic to place your legs. And if passengers are tall, the shape of the roof takes its toll — the ceiling hangs right over the head.
Moreover, rear passengers cannot count on separate climate system vents. At the same time, the climate control itself works quite decently: the set temperature is reached quickly and maintained with good accuracy.
The ride smoothness overall is also at a good level. True, the rear suspension reacts too sharply to sharp irregularities like tram tracks or drainage gutters. Other road defects are swallowed calmly, so rear passengers have nothing to complain about.
COMPLETE IDYLL
Comfortable, quiet, economical, and cozy — an ideal car for long "flights" on the highway.
FLIGHTS IN DREAMS
The engine characteristics, chassis settings, and tires dictate a calm driving style. It's better to forget about the sporty ambitions hinted at by the appearance. Someone might, in the heat of the moment, compare the Cruze to a four-door coupe, but it looks much more harmonious in the class of compact sedans. Although not the most compact — the length is 4.6 meters.
Newton-meters and horsepower seem to be enough. Still, the engine works somewhat roughly and does not provide the desired dynamics and elasticity. The gears in the gearbox are stretched, which is why during overtaking or on inclines, even gentle ones, you have to shift down an extra time.
To be fair, the fuel consumption measurements pleased. On average, it comes out to 9.3 liters per hundred, and outside the city — even less, 7.8 liters. There is nothing surprising about this: it is precisely on suburban highways that such a car feels in its element.
 | The rear row cannot be called spacious. The trunk is capacious, but the opening is not the most convenient. The manufacturer claims 450 liters, our measurements gave 412 liters. |
AMERICA IN THE INTERIOR
Boxes, pockets, and shelves for small items — in abundance. The driver's seat is adjustable in height.
 |  |
• 1598 cm³ • 109 hp • 4 cylinders, petrol • from $18 226 (145 800 UAH)
 |  |
 | POWER TO CHOOSE
The 1.6-liter engine with manual transmission produces 109 hp, and with automatic transmission — already 113 hp. |
 | LIKES
The price-to-quality ratio is very competitive. In the class of mid-size sedans, it's hard to find better. The trunk is convenient for transportation, including long cargo. |
| DISLIKES
The braking distance is quite long. Tall passengers are cramped: their heads hit the ceiling, and their knees hit the front seat back. Especially uncomfortable if the driver is also not short. The trim could be of better quality, especially the plastics. The honeycomb radiator grille also didn't appeal. |  |
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Manufacturer data Chevrolet Cruze 1.6
• Engine: front transverse, petrol, 4 cylinders, cylinder diameter — 79 mm, piston stroke — 81.5 mm, displacement — 1598 cm³, maximum power — 109 hp at 6000 rpm, maximum torque — 150 Nm at 4000 rpm, 4 valves per cylinder, compression ratio — 9.5:1, distributed injection, Euro 4
• Transmission: front-wheel drive, manual, 5 speeds
• Wheels and tires: 205/60 R16, alloy wheels 6.5Jx16
• Body: sedan, 4 doors, 5 seats
• Suspension: front — independent, transverse arms and telescopic struts, coil springs (MacPherson), rear — semi-independent, coil springs, anti-roll bars, hydraulic telescopic shock absorbers
• Brakes: disc, front — ventilated, ABS
• Steering: rack and pinion with power steering
• Dimensions and weight: wheelbase — 2685 mm, front track — 1544 mm, rear track — 1558 mm, length — 4597 mm, width — 1788 mm, height — 1477 mm, curb weight — 1285 kg, gross weight — 1788 kg, maximum trailer weight — 1200 kg, trunk — 450 dm³, tank — 60 l
• Place of production: Vsevolozhsk (Russia)
SUMMARY
The Cruze intends to conquer the market with affordability, offering decent content and pleasant design at the price of a supercompact car. The difference with competitors is significant, and in our opinion, the game is worth the candle. You just need to turn a blind eye to some trim flaws and not pay attention to talk about a not very prestigious brand. For those who want to rack up big mileage on a fairly attractive car without extra fuel costs, the Cruze can be pleasant company.
WHAT ELSE CAN YOU BUY FOR 540 000 RUBLES?
The alternatives are obvious: either well-equipped urban compacts of various origins, or classmates of Russian assembly and Korean models. The rest of the competitors are noticeably more expensive — naturally, in the larger direction. In Russia, for the Cruze, in addition to the 1.6-liter engine, a 141-horsepower 1.8-liter engine is also available.
| Ford Focus 1.4
Cheaper than the base Cruze is its neighbor in the place of production — the Vsevolozhsk sedan Ford Focus with the most modest 80-horsepower engine in the ascetic Ambiente trim ($17 723 (141 777 UAH). The version with the 100-horsepower 1.6 costs already under $20 251 (162 000 UAH) | Hyundai i20 1.6
A well-equipped "Korean" with a 126-horsepower engine (from $17 584 (140 670 UAH)) is positioned a class lower. This is a quite worthy alternative in terms of comfort, quality, and price. Of course, there can be no talk of comparing capacity | Opel Corsa 1.2
A real "German," belonging, like the i20, to class B. The buyer pays for the origin and the advantages that come from it: a high level of safety, manufacturing quality, and reliability. The price in the base version is from $17 254 (138 024 UAH) |