- sedan 58,457
- Stuart, FL
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- autoshopper.com
- sedan 58,457 gasoline manual
2012 chevrolet cruze review this car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale. Improved fuel economy. introductionthe chevrolet cruze is an excellent choice among compact sedans. It's the best small car gm has offered in north america in decades. More important, it's among the best cars in its class. fuel economy is improved for 2012, and the list of standard equipment has grown longer, especially in the mid-range lt level. Otherwise, the 2012 chevrolet cruze is unchanged from 2011. launched as a 2011 model, the cruze replaced the sturdy but boring cobalt, and represented a great leap forward in technology, features and appeal. The cruze was developed jointly by gm tech centers in asia, europe and the united states to battle compact competitors such as the hyundai elantra and kia forte, the best volkswagen jetta in years, and perennial leaders like the honda civic, mazda 3, and toyota corolla. By the quality of materials, fit or function, it surpasses nearly all its competitors. As with most cars in this class, the cruze is front-wheel drive. Both the manual and automatic are 6-speed-transmissions, which is rare in this class. With the 1. 8-liter engine the government rates it 25/36 mpg with the manual, 22/35 mpg with the automatic. The 2012 chevrolet cruze eco rates 28/42 mpg with the manual, 26/39 mpg with the automatic. the chevrolet cruze might be the smoothest, quietest compact offered in the united states. Ride quality is outstanding, yet the car is nimble, balanced and handles exceptionally well. Its steering is powered by electricity to save fuel. Underway, the steering feels sharp, with decent feel. The cruze comes standard with a long list of safety features, including advanced electronic stability control, anti-lock brakes, and a full complement of 10 airbags. There are knee-protection airbags for front passengers, side-impact airbags for rear passengers, and head-protection curtains with rollover deployment. Every cruze comes with gm's onstar telematics system, including a six-month subscription for automatic accident response and other services, a great safety feature. among the 2012 cruze models, the cruze eco delivers the best fuel economy. Its aerodynamic features, including grille vanes that close at highway speeds, help it slip through the air more easily, and it weighs more than 200 pounds less than other models. To achieve its superb fuel economy, however, the cruze eco sacrifices performance, resulting in slower acceleration, longer stopping distances, and poorer handling than the other cruze models. the cruze ltz comes swathed in leather and loaded with technology. The cruze ltz is available with a full-feature navigation system, rear park assist, concierge services, premium pioneer audio and remote starting. For that kind of money, the alternatives include larger, very nicely equipped midsize sedans such as the ford fusion, honda accord, hyundai sonata or nissan altima. Cruze ls comes with air conditioning, power windows, power door locks with remote keyless entry, floor mats, and six-speaker audio with single cd, an auxiliary jack and xm satellite radio. The standard wheels are 16-inch steel. cruze eco 19,245) is optimized for fuel economy. It's powered by a smaller, 1. 4-liter turbocharged engine that delivers the same 138 hp as the base engine, with an increase in torque to 148 lb-ft. It's lighter than other cruze models, with aerodynamic aids that make in slipperier through the air, and low-rolling-resistance tires on 17-inch alloy wheels. The 2012 cruze eco comes with bluetooth phone connectivity, usb port, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, cruise control, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. cruise lt 18,475) is powered by the same frugal turbocharged engine plus body-color power side mirrors and all the new goodies that have been added to the cruze eco. Sixteen-inch machined-face alloy wheels are standard on 2012 cruze lt models. The 2012 cruze ltz also comes standard with fog lights, keyless entry and keyless start. cruze rs is an ltz with an rs appearance package 595), which includes unique bumpers, rocker moldings, and a rear spoiler. A similar package for the lt2 695) adds all that plus fog lights and racier instruments. Navigation 995) is available for lt2, ltz, and eco. Other options include a 250-watt pioneer audio system with nine speakers 445), a power sunroof 900). The eco and lt1 can be spruced up with a driver convenience package 495) that includes a six-way power driver's seat, rear park assist, and remote start. (all prices are manufacturer's suggested retail prices, which do not include destination charge and may change at any time without notice.) safety features include front, side-impact and knee-protection airbags for front passengers, rear side-impact airbags and full cabin head-protection curtains with rollover deployment. Gm's onstar telematics are standard, with automatic crash response and other services free for six months. Other standard safety features include stabiltrack electronic stability control, anti-lock brakes (abs), front seatbelt pretensioners, daytime running lights (drls) and the federally mandated tire-pressure monitor. walkaroundthe styling of the chevrolet cruze is handsome and nicely proportioned. the cruze is large, as compact cars go. Measuring 181. 0 inches bumper-to-bumper, on a wheelbase of 105. 7 inches, the cruze is slightly larger than most of its competitors, including the honda civic, toyota corolla, and the all-new 2012 ford focus. cruze is more angular than other recent chevrolet sedans, including the popular malibu. Its front end mimics the volt plug-in sedan with a prominent chevrolet bowtie logo. The headlight housings are large, sweeping upward and around the front edges of the car. the roofline arcs subtly from its steeply raked windshield through fast-sloping rear pillars, creating a generally sporty profile. Its wheels are pushed out to the corners of the car, with minimal overhang. No, this compact sedan doesn't break new ground or wow with its curves. But it's tidy and quite confidant looking, and the package generates a feeling of quality and solidity. Wheels range from 16-inch steel with plastic covers on the base ls to spoked 18-inch alloys with low-profile tires on the loaded ltz. the cruze eco is a slightly different beast, because it's designed to be chevrolet's conventional-engine fuel economy leader. The differences start with 42 steps intended to trim weight, right down the size and location of welds in the body. As a result, the eco tips the scales at 3,009 pounds, or 214 pounds less than the mid-level cruze lt. Cruze eco adds a host of aerodynamic tweaks, including some adapted from the chevrolet volt. These start with active grille shutters that close at higher speeds, blocking much of the grille surface when the cooling demands of the engine allow it, and smoothing air flow over the front of the car. The eco also sports a lower front air-dam extension, plastic panels that cover large portions of the underbody and a carefully crafted rear spoiler. It's finished with low-rolling-resistance tires on specially designed rims. That means a bit less braking performance or grip through the corners, but it also means less friction when the eco is cruising along for better fuel economy. interiorthe chevrolet cruze is roomy inside, with ample dimensions in most directions. The cabin is finished nicely with quality materials. Sound deadening measures result in quiet operation. Overall, the cruze cabin delivers an excellent balance of quality, coziness and space to breathe. cruze is near the top of the class for the look, fit and feel of the materials inside. The seams join with tighter tolerances than those in many other cars, including some of those a class or two above. The textiles and plastics are rich, appealing and nicely grained, and the metallic trim looks good. The fabric used for the door inserts matches that used on the seat.
Stuart, FLStuart, FL at autoshopper.com