2013 Chevrolet Cruze Review
Civic better watch out as this thing quietly Cruzes up behind
By Shahzad Sheikh
[Also read – Cruze down Memory Lane]
Honestly it’s not a car I had much of an opinion over. Seemed to me that it was probably a fairly okay offering in a heavily contested segment that featured the likes of heavy-hitters like the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic.
However, it turns out to be more than okay, in fact it’s very okay, especially for the money. And let’s bring that up right at the start.
You pay just AED61,500 for a 1.8LS (there is a 1.6 but it’s only available in Jordan and Iraq) but it’s worth stumping up the extra AED66,800 for the LT for the better brakes including ABS, as well as rear parking sensors (camera optional), fog lamps, 16-inch alloys, sound system (go for the optional six-speaker unit with the USB ports) and of course a six-speed auto mated to 1.8-litre engine producing 141bhp giving it a 0-100kph acceleration time of 10.9 seconds and a top speed of 190kph.
What all of that tells you is that you get a nicely equipped car for the money. What it fails to portray is the big car feel and comfort the little Cruze also manages to furnish you with.
For 2013 there has been a mild facelift, but I reckon they’ve been tweaking this thing under the skin too, because it’s considerably better than the last Cruze I drove several years back. The things that immediately stood out, was the low NVH (noise, vibration harshness) as the refinement is so much better than I was expecting.
Sound insulation is so good that the only thing that bothered me was the warning triangle knocking about in the boot. Space and seating position, even for the taller driver is good, and rear space is reasonable too. The fit and finish was also surprisingly more premium-esque than I was anticipating, and the updated MyLink system (a must have) gives the interface a modern and very user-friendly appeal.
There’s no way this could be described as a sports saloon, even allowing for the fact that engine on this brand new car with delivery miles only was a still a little tight and would improve as it loosened up, you’d be ill-advised to get into any street races with the little Chevy saloon.
It handles okay though, particular easy to thread through traffic and its size makes it ideal for tackling the urban crawl. Its agility and response is welcomed.
Frankly though, what we have here is a car that turns out to be a very strong contender for those looking to buy a handsome looking economical and practical commuter with good kit and comfort. In fact throw in the big car feel and the value-for-money, and you have a Chevrolet that actually trounces the Toyota and hops all over the Honda.
Read our ‘Cruze down Memory Lane in the UAE’
2013 Chevrolet Cruze 1.8 saloon
Specs
Prices:
LS: AED61,500
LT: AED66,800
Engine: 1.8-litre four-cylinder, 141bhp @ 6200rpm, 130lb ft @ 3800rpm
Performance: 10.9secs 0-100kph, 190kph, 7.4L/100
Transmission: Six-speed auto, front-wheel drive
Weight: 1315kg
Let us know what you think of the Cruze below in the Comments section
I own a 2012 Chevy Cruze LS fitted with body kit (by the dealer) to give it that extra sporty look. It has completed an year and has ran 33,600 Kms so far. I’m completely happy with the car as such. I also have recommended it to so many of my friends over Corolla or Civic for that matter. Few things that disturbs me though are the noise inside the cabin that the car gives at high speeds, especially the squeaking noises from one of the seats and some vibration noises from both the front passenger doors. The fuel economy of the car is really very good, probably not as good as the Corolla. Although I do not have the navigation system (which even the salesman was not keen on me having one) and the rear view camera, the dealers provided me with an Aux unit and rear parking sensor. This was an outgoing model and they fitted it with almost everything that an LT version could look like. The speed and the power that the vehicle delivers does give thrills especially when I drive it on the highways. The review on the 2013 model somewhat makes me feel that the new model should be a much better one than it’s predecessor. Nevertheless, the looks of this car is just out of this world. Neither Corolla nor Civic or even Elantra for that matter comes close to it. I feel Kia Cerato could be a better looking one than Cruze.
Engine price for cruze 2013 1.8