Just rented a 2017 Cruze LT with the (all new) 1.4L turbo, fire breathing engine (just kidding, it's tuned for drive-ability and economy) . I liked it. It's a compact car, and it feels it, especially to the driver. However, it was very comfortable, has active noise cancelling and provides an excellent ride for this class of car. I achieved 32 MPG in typical city driving. Unfortunately, I did not spend much time on the highway, so I can't provide highway MPG. The car is, however, impressively quiet and well composed on both city and highway roads.
It's no secret I like turbocharged engines, and this one is a good one. It's tuned for economy so it's not going to pin you in the seat. But it never struggles, quite unlike other small engines in compact cars. It really has ample mid range torque and it's impossible to feel any form of lag. Furthermore, it seems to me that putting your foot into it does not result in a massive drop in economy. It simply does not make all that much power, therefore can't waste much gas.
I loved the ride, period. It's no sports car, not even close. But it is well composed, drives with accuracy and absolutely, positively does not feel or ride cheaply. Unlike much of the competition. It has no bad habits.
One thing, the audio system was not up to the standards I like. It worked, but was about all that I can say about it. An audiophile will not be pleased. Those that like listening to NPR news will be perfectly happy.
While this seems like serious praise, I temper my reviews by price. For the money, it's quite a nice compact car. And "if" I were in the market for a compact, I absolutely, positively would purchase this over much of the foreign competition. For the neat little engine, for the savings, and when compared to the Korean competition, for the better driving characteristics. For what ever reason, Korean cars and I don't get along. I dislike the way they drive.
However, the Altima is significantly bigger, almost as well refined and is also a pleasure to drive. Should I compare the two because MSRP is similar? Is it better than a new 4cyl Altima? I don't think so. HOWEVER, the Cruze LT is available for under $19K locally. Some are in the $17K range. Hard to beat prices like that for a nice little car.
It's no secret I like turbocharged engines, and this one is a good one. It's tuned for economy so it's not going to pin you in the seat. But it never struggles, quite unlike other small engines in compact cars. It really has ample mid range torque and it's impossible to feel any form of lag. Furthermore, it seems to me that putting your foot into it does not result in a massive drop in economy. It simply does not make all that much power, therefore can't waste much gas.
I loved the ride, period. It's no sports car, not even close. But it is well composed, drives with accuracy and absolutely, positively does not feel or ride cheaply. Unlike much of the competition. It has no bad habits.
One thing, the audio system was not up to the standards I like. It worked, but was about all that I can say about it. An audiophile will not be pleased. Those that like listening to NPR news will be perfectly happy.
While this seems like serious praise, I temper my reviews by price. For the money, it's quite a nice compact car. And "if" I were in the market for a compact, I absolutely, positively would purchase this over much of the foreign competition. For the neat little engine, for the savings, and when compared to the Korean competition, for the better driving characteristics. For what ever reason, Korean cars and I don't get along. I dislike the way they drive.
However, the Altima is significantly bigger, almost as well refined and is also a pleasure to drive. Should I compare the two because MSRP is similar? Is it better than a new 4cyl Altima? I don't think so. HOWEVER, the Cruze LT is available for under $19K locally. Some are in the $17K range. Hard to beat prices like that for a nice little car.
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