2012 Chevrolet Cruze

Best vehicle for the price

By JW (IL) on Thursday, May 16, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 7,000

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I added all the features I could and still get a stick shift. It is comfortable, ergonomic and well made, for the cost. Handling is a bit dull, but I got it to drive every day not as a sports car, I already have one of those. The sound system, GPS and communication electronics are all excellent and would be tough to beat (unless you have $1000's more to spend on that), leather heated seats are nice, fairly firm and comfortable for long trips. The interior finish is in line with the cost. At half the cost of a 3 series BMW it offers a lot of the features in a low cost car."

2 people out of 4 found this review helpful

Was this review helpful to you?  yes | no | report abuse

Glad we bought the Cruze

By Chumpkinizer (PA) on Thursday, May 16, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 5,500

Pros: "Fun to drive, maneuverable, decent mileage, price"

Cons: "Tranny sometimes hunts for gear. Blind spot"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I have never liked Chevy cars and haven't bought one in 42 years of driving. Till I met the Cruze. I was looking for a new car to replace my 19 year old beater and the Cruze made the short-list based on the numbers. I test drove one and was blown away by the performance compared to cars with similar size/price. Then my wife's car blew an engine and we needed to make a fast purchase decision. We chose Cruze and I'm glad we did. The 1.4L Turbo feels like a much larger engine and has plenty of get-up when you punch it. It maneuvers nicely and handles well. It is a very responsive car and the overall driving experience is very positive. Now with 5500 miles on ours and a winter under our belts I can definitely say that I have very positive feelings for this car. Two weeks after we bought the car, I hit some black ice and the car's stability and traction controls kicked in and held the car straight till I was off the ice. Without those systems, I would have skidded across the line into oncoming traffic. During the winter in hilly PA, I have felt the assistance on a couple of occasions and I am glad the car is watching out for us. The front seats feel like a larger car (but the back is a bit cramped). The trunk is much larger and deeper than the exterior size of the car would suggest, and we've never had a problem hauling our gear around, or doing a major shopping trip. The electronics package and driver information displays are nicely done, and the bluetooth/hands-free phone feature is a definite plus for me. The two downchecks that I have noted is that a short driver may have a serious blind spot seeing to the right front corner of the car due to the placement of the righthand rear-view mirror and roof pillar. Less of a problem for taller driver. (Think husband OK, wife not so much). Also, while the engine has substantial acceleration available, the 6-speed automatic sometimes delays the acceleration for a fraction of a second while it selects the appropriate gear to use, then kicks in and takes off. Gas mileage is very dependent on driver technique. Running stop-and-go in mixed rural and city driving, with steep and hilly terrain my wife gets about 29-30 MPG. I tend to try to stretch the gas when I can, and I get in the low to mid '30s over the same runs. We haven't really had it out on the open highway for long cruises, so I can't report on highway mileage numbers. Thus far, the car has needed no service attention other than an oil change. The body and fittings are still "tight" and the car has developed NO rattles, squeaks or annoying little sounds that every car I've ever owned have had. Overall opinion is very positive. I would recommend this car to anyone who asks. I still need to replace the beater I commute in, and I am seriously considering another Cruze."

3 people out of 3 found this review helpful

Was this review helpful to you?  yes | no | report abuse