SA Road Tests

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This is the home of automobile road tests in South Africa. We drive South African cars, SUVs and LCVs under South African conditions. It also just happens that most of the vehicles we drive are world cars as well, so what you read here probably applies to the models you can get at home.

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*Please remember too, that prices quoted were those ruling on the days I wrote the stories 

We drive two versions of the Chevrolet Cruze LS

Lots to like about the Cruze

Published in The Witness Motoring on Wednesday January 6, 2010

Most petrol-heads, asked for their totally biased and subjective opinions, would tell you that apart from the muscular Luminas, Chevrolet has apparently lost the plot in recent years.

Optras, Sparks and Aveos are seen as unconvincing examples of Korean badge engineering, while the Captiva crossover falls into the “well, maybe, but” category, so what’s to like about the Cruze?

Chevrolet stresses that Cruze is the forerunner of the world brand’s new design language. It is a clean sheet initiative emphasising safety, build quality, comfort and value for money. An international project with input from U.S., European, Australian and Korean engineering teams, it is definitely not some quickie badge-engineered marketing exercise.

To help keep costs down, previous-generation Opel engines are used but, according to its marketers, that was the only compromise. Initial offerings include two engines and three trim levels; 1 600 cc manual models in L and LS trim and 1 800s in LS manual or LT automatic. A 2,0 litre diesel variant is expected during the second quarter of 2010.

We drove the two LS models over a recent fortnight and decided that for what they set out to do, these Chevs succeed. They are roomy, solid, quiet and comfortable (with one caveat) family or fleet cars with no pretence toward automotive fireworks.

The 1 600 cc motor puts out 80 kW at 6 400 rpm and 150 Nm at 4 000, while the 1 800 develops 104 kW at 6 200 rpm and 176 Nm at 3 800. Both are geared for cruising (pun noticed and ignored), ticking over at about 3 000 rpm at 120 km/h in fifth. Fourth gear appears to be almost as long as fifth, so some intermediate hills may need a shift down to third. This observation is based on a trip to the ‘berg and back, at strictly legal speeds. Your own experience may differ, obviously.

Standard equipment on LS models includes 16” alloy wheels with 205/60 tyres, disc brakes all ‘round, ABS and EBD, height- and reach adjustable steering wheel with satellite audio controls, fog lamps in front, heated power mirrors, height adjustable driver’s seat, power windows front and rear, air conditioning with pollen filtration, a six-disc, six-speaker radio/CD unit with auxiliary input, six airbags and an onboard computer.

Sturdy cloth-covered seats use a wire mesh construction that offers more even weight distribution than conventional wire frame seats. Foam filling is, according to Chevrolet, “on the firmer side.” On a trip from Drakensberg Gardens to Himeville and back, both rear seat passengers complained that the cushion was perhaps a little too firm. Try it and see.

Rear seat head- and legroom is more than sufficient for six-footers, while GM claims that front seat fore and aft adjustment is the best in its class. This 1,85 metre tester cannot operate the pedals at full rearward extension, so the claim is probably true.

The Cruzes’ performance and handling is well up to normal everyday requirements, while space and build quality cannot be faulted at their price levels. The big boot swallows a month’s groceries or a weekend’s luggage, while the 60/40-split rear seat backs fold almost completely flat without having to remove the head restraints first.

Speaking of performance, I found that for practical everyday use, the 1 600 cc model was hardly different from the 1 800. Given the choice, I would keep the R18 000 price difference and splurge it elsewhere.

The numbers

Prices: R186 126 and R204 133

Engines: 4 cylinder, 1 598 cc and 1 797 cc DOHC 16 valve

Power and torque: See text

Zero to 100 km/h: 1 600cc – 13,2 seconds. 1 800cc - 12,4 seconds

Maximum speeds: 175/195 km/h

Average fuel consumption: 8,6/9,4 litres/100 km

Warranty and roadside assistance: 5 years/120 000 km

Service plan: 3 years/60 000 km

 

What We Do

This is a one-man show, which means that road test cars entrusted to me are driven only by me. Some reviewers hand test cars over to their partners to use as day-to-day transport and barely experience them for themselves.

What this means to you is that every car reviewed is given my own personal evaluation and receives my own seat of the pants judgement - no second hand input here.

Every car goes through real world testing; on city streets littered with potholes, speed bumps and rumble strips, on freeways and if its profile demands, dirt roads as well.

I am based in Pietermaritzburg, KZN, South Africa. This is the central hub of the KZN Midlands farming community; the place farmers go to to buy their supplies and equipment, truck their goods to market, send their kids to school and go to kick back and relax. 

So occasionally a cow, a goat or a horse may add a little local colour by finding its way into the story or one of the pictures. It's all part of the ambience!

 

Comments?

Want to ask a question, comment or just tell me you thoroughly disagree with what I say? That's your privilege, because if everybody agreed on everything, the world would be a boring place. All I ask is that you remain calm, so please blow off a little steam before venting too vigorously. Contact me here

 

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