If you are keen on enthusiastic driving and
want a lot of features in your car, then the Chevrolet Cruze is a good option
GM hasn’t had much success as a manufacturer in India. But the one model that
brought some cheer for the company was the Cruze. Launched in 2009, the Cruze
used the same engine as the Optra Magnum, but tuned to return 148bhp against
Optra’s 124bhp. The Cruze is one of the better looking cars in the upper
D-segment with its notchback design and a large bonnet.
The
Chevrolet Cruze thumps over sharp urban ridges but rides pliantly at higher
speeds
What to look out for?
The Turbo diesel engine on the Cruze is
sensitive to bad fuel. Bad quality fuel can result in problems of the fuel
pump. So make sure that you take a test drive on the model and keep an eye out
for any fueling issues. The front brakes on the Cruze tend to wear out early.
Make sure that the brake pedal is not too soft. If they are, then you would
require to change the brake shoes.
The
black cabin looks classy and offers a lot of features, including an
infotainment display. The plastic bits age well on the Cruze
The gear quality on the Cruze is a little
notchy, but that isn’t something to worry about. The suspension on the Cruze is
balanced and irons out road irritants nicely. Look out for worn out rubber
bushes on the dampers. These rattle every time you go over a bump or a pothole.
The suspension on a well maintained Cruze can easily last up to 70,000km. The
electricals on the Cruze are generally trouble-free. Do look out for the diesel
particulate filter in the Cruze. If you find it to be clogged, it will have to
be replaced. GM had given an upgrade to the Cruze in 2012. The 2-litre engine
now churned out a solid 160bhp of max power and a whopping 380Nm of peak
torque. Be on the look out for the 2012 model as well, although it might be
difficult to find it in the used car market. Apart from the six-speed manual,
the Cruze also has an option of a six-speed automatic transmission. The
automatic option, though, uses a single clutch setup unlike key rivals such as
Laura, which use a dual-clutch setup.
Space
is one of the Chevrolet Cruze’s strong suits. Leg and headroom in the rear
quarters are better than average in the hatch
A major thing to look out for in an used
Cruze is the underbelly. Due to its low ground clearance, the underbelly tends
to get scraped if the car is driven fully laden. Do not purchase a car, which
has a damaged underbelly. Coming to the interiors, the cabin ages well and
looks classy. The infotainment display lasts long and is problem free. The
seats are supportive and space is good too. We recommend the LTZ variant, which
comes loaded with features. The only grouse is the after sales service quality
of GM. Overall, a good buy for an enthusiast and those who like to drive
themselves instead of being chauffeur driven.
