2017 Chevy Cruze Premier rental review

[ls1mike]

800 miles of driving. Car had about 4000 miles on it.
Fully loaded
3 adult men and our suitcases.
So I will add some of the stuff that the other 2 guys noted about it as well.

So first it did have the start/stop function. None of us felt it hindered the car at all, that it was not a deal breaker and it was pretty seamless. Having said that we all questioned if it was saving enough gas to make it worth having. We averaged 37mpg.

We were busy so I never opened the hood. I know I know... I will have to assume it had the current largest turbo motor available in the Cruze. Had plenty of power even with 3 large suit cases and 3 adult men.
All three of us thought it was pretty quiet. One of the other guys owns a 16 Focus and felt it was quieter and smoother as compared with that.
Car rode nice. Brakes were not as good as I thought they should be. They have added a bunch of soft touch materials inside the car.
Fit and finish was better than my 2015 Malibu. The other guy has a 2015 Camry and felt the Cruze's interior overall was nicer than his loaded Camry. He was pleasantly surprised with the car.

Steering was good. I still don't like GMs automatic transmission shifting software. They didn't care...You know I do. Ha!
The manual shift mode is in the same stupid spot as Malibu, on the gear shift. The three us of figured it is not a deal breaker because the general population would not use it anyway.

Seats were nice and comfortable. Everyone felt it would be an excellent road trip car.

No big disappointments. All three of came away liking the little car.

 

[Andrew1972]

I like renting them.

I cannot believe the same company brought us trash like cobalt and cavalier prior and then this excellent for size class car.

 

[CT8]

I enjoyed the 1.4 engine on the Sonic I rented. I am liking the low end torque the turbo engines make.

 

[KrisZ]

I'm really liking the new Cruze hatch. Manual trans and that little turbo engine probably make a good combo.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

I the past preferred my Cobalt and Cavalier rentals to the Cruze. Easier in and out of the car. Better visibility. Friendly interiors. Not a pretend Midzize floater which is OK for Grandma but not the crazy uncle. BIG YAWN. I have not driven the 17.

Best rentals Buick LeSabres and Mercury Grand Marquis. Kia Forte Sedan for a Sub Compact. Ford Fiesta for a Micro.

 

[askani79705]

Could the Start/Stop be disabled?

 

[Vuflanovsky]

Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
I the past preferred my Cobalt and Cavalier rentals to the Cruze. Easier in and out of the car. Better visibility. Friendly interiors. Not a pretend Midzize floater which is OK for Grandma but not the crazy uncle. BIG YAWN. I have not driven the 17.

Best rentals Buick LeSabres and Mercury Grand Marquis. Kia Forte Sedan for a Sub Compact. Ford Fiesta for a Micro.


Wow. As someone who drove a Cavalier cross country, I couldn't disagree more. Ingress and egress might be one thing but the Cruze still drives like something where the humans and robots actually gave a **** about the vehicle. I don't know what constitutes a "pretend" midsize but I'm assuming that means anything that doesn't have a 3.8 V6 or larger in it...to each his own.

 

[ls1mike]

Originally Posted By: askani79705
Could the Start/Stop be disabled?

No, but you could sort of trick it...If you stopped at say a red light and the engine shut of you just had to lift your foot off the brake and then reapply it. The engine would start and not shut off on the second application of the brake.
Must have a RPM/MPH threshold.

 

[askani79705]

Originally Posted By: ls1mike
Originally Posted By: askani79705
Could the Start/Stop be disabled?

No, but you could sort of trick it...If you stopped at say a red light and the engine shut of you just had to lift your foot off the brake and then reapply it. The engine would start and not shut off on the second application of the brake.
Must have a RPM/MPH threshold.

I've got Start/Stop on my truck and even with the button I can't stand it. I hope this is just a fad.

 

[Quattro Pete]

I just had a new Malibu rental with start stop. Did not care for it, but the mog was pretty good.

 

[Silverado12]

Originally Posted By: madRiver
I like renting them.

I cannot believe the same company brought us trash like cobalt and cavalier prior and then this excellent for size class car.


The Cavaliers and Cobalts have outlasted many so-called superior imports. GM drivetrains are second to none. We have a 2002 Cavalier base model that's been in the family since it was new and it still has NEVER been to the shop for a repair. Just maintenance items like brakes, fluid changes, etc.

 

[mjoekingz28]

Couldn't be happier with my Cobalt here. And it has an automatic. I have ALWAYS hated automatics and they always tear up on me. But this one shifts out great. My other car is a truck with a 5M, so having a 4A in my car that does well is nice. I like the 4A for day to day stuff, and the 5M for having more fun.

This car is real impressive. 2.2 145hp in a 2700lb car is perfect for me. For those that need or want more, they had a 2.0 Supercharged or Turbocharger from the factory. Even had a 2.4, but it had VTEC. I wouldn't trade my 2.2 4A 4door for anything else.





But....













I WOULD supplement it with a third gen 305 5M Camaro or a C5 Z06 though!

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Originally Posted By: Vuflanovsky


... I don't know what constitutes a "pretend" midsize but I'm assuming that means anything that doesn't have a 3.8 V6 or larger in it...to each his own.


No. a very small car that is made to dynamically respond like a Large car thus ruining attributes of small light vehicles - attributes appreciated by small car afficianados.

Mr. Honda is again "Roiling in his Grave" after he made the genius and quintessential successor to the 70's and *0's fiesta and Rabbit and Fiat. The 90's Civic.