Chevrolet Cruze LTZ 2.0 Diesel : Test Drive & Review

swiftsuzuki71 · 3rd January 2010, 01:09

Thanks very much for the Review, It is a such a brilliant writing with niggy details being also highlighted. The Car looks very impressive in its class. Defenitely would be waiting to see more numbers on the streets very soon. Superb engineering by Chevy and awesome thinking by the designers. The electronics are quite impressive with keyless entry and ignition, Not seen on any C+ or D segment cars, Kudos to Chevy there. Just a absolute <15 Lakh car on the Indian Roads.

arijit.co.in · 5th February 2010, 19:43

awesum review tsk !!

the cruze is just one of the rare typical american type sedans on indian roads !! cruze indeed rocks but i feel the ltz model is slightly over priced. people within the 12 lacs budget would love the cruze but only have the ltz as an option by adding a lac and half more as the base variant lacks all the essential features of a 12 lacs sedan !!

apart the pricing concern, chevrolet is all set to rock the indian car market with the cruze, captiva and beat.

nag20in · 5th February 2010, 20:44

Hi,
I recently saw the auto transmision versin of Cruze in one of the chevrolet showroom, when i asked the showroom person he said it is coming soon....( may be after the Beat Buzz)

diveshsingh · 7th February 2010, 20:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by nag20in

Hi,
I recently saw the auto transmision versin of Cruze in one of the chevrolet showroom, when i asked the showroom person he said it is coming soon....( may be after the Beat Buzz)

It's already launched. Mine will be delivered this week.

Axe77 · 10th February 2010, 05:12

Nice review.

Mods - it would be really helpful if the original review could be expanded to include a review of the A/T version as well. Then it could serve as the definitive reference point for both versions of the Cruze for prospective buyers.

wildon · 23rd February 2010, 16:27

Cruze Automatic Brochure .

da.maulik · 4th March 2010, 13:52

Tsk1979,

If I had that much sum in my pocket, I would go for this car. You have given each-n-every detail. If chevy people needs to write something on this car, they can copy this review. I always admire the neutral review. very very well-done.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsk1979

Walk up to the car and merely pull the door handles. As long as the key is in your pocket, the doors will open (without the need to insert any key or press any button).
==========

tsk1979 · 4th March 2010, 16:55

Thanks! We try to make reviews as detailed as possible.

dhall_gagan · 9th April 2010, 13:47

first, a commendable review, great job done TSK.

I was reading the thread and found some misconceptions few guys have for Cruze, which i got cleared from a recent TD of the car(LTZ automatic) I did.

- There is a feature which enables you to make sure only your side of door opens when you come near the car. i.e with this feature ON, if you are on the Driver's side only Driver side door opens and all others remain locked

- The remote works only if you are within 1 meter range of the car, I verified it with a 1 Meter scale myself

- If someone runs away with the car with you having the key, the car will get stalled after 500 meters. [ VERIFIED]

- The Audio system has a feature which automatically adjusts your system volume depending upon the noise on the outside and your speed.(again configurable)

- There is a lever to come out of the car from the trunk in case you are trapped inside.

- The guy was talking about another way to start the car in case your key stops functioning, a discussion which got lost in other things, will update you guys on it.

- The audio system and all the lights in the cabin get automatically switched off after 30 seconds of car lock

- The automatic geabox used in Cruze is a GM 6T40 transmission which is one of the best in the industry

- It is a little delayed in the downshift but the upshift is perfect and also delivers well in the city as well the highways

Hope it clarify few doubts in the minds of fellow T-BHPians

MaheshNarayanan · 12th April 2010, 19:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by grajasekar

Got back home two days ago from a 1500km+ roadtrip from Chennai to a few places in Kerala with the new car and back.

Wonderful drive. Now feel a lack of power whenever I drive the Baleno thanks to my getting used to the Cruze. This baby is an awesome highway car. Touches high speeds effortlessly even though we stay below 140 almost all the time on highways. Amazes me how most people with Santros and Zens just zoom past at 150+ speeds, I guess they have no idea what will happen to their cars with just 1 small mistake, or one idiot crossing the road at the wrong place (happens all to often in our country).

Cleaned the car for an hour today before applying the special Diamondbrite shampoo that the Diamondbrite treatment for the car requires monthly. Rinsed it off and wiped it again. Then let it dry while drying it with a cloth too. End result is the 2nd picture.

3rd one shows what happened just 20 minutes later

Hi Raj,
These pictures are amazing, congratulations on the new car, although I am a little late saying this. I too have just recently got my dream car, a brand new civic a/t in polished metal metallic. The pictures you posted just cracked me up. You see I too am a cat lover like you. What are the name of those babies? Take care and check for those babies underneath the car before moving.

foodie · 22nd April 2010, 14:38

Just my "solah anna"

* I'm not an expert, but there was no lag noticeable in the AT (I've decided my next car will be an AT and have not driven the M/T to compare). I found the Laura PD AT to be quite laggy in comparison. It was a real pain to drive in rush hour traffic (test drive only)

* After the test drive I came away feeling like a monkey that had found King Kong's secret banana store. I was floored by the car. This was just so much fun.

* All the reviewers have pointed out the many pros and cons. On balance, this car definitely leans towards driving pleasure rather than backseat comfort and overall luxury. At 16.2Lakh OTR, I would need a little more of the ride quality and luxury feeling to justify this purchase to myself. This is also because in truth, I've been looking for an A/T under 12L, and 16L is a stretch for me. I don't see myself doing the amount of highway driving to truly enjoy all the gifts this car has to offer.

Having said that, I'm probably going to look wistfully at every Cruze that passes me by in my (likely) new Honda City and think "what wudda, if I hadda"

ashish22 · 22nd April 2010, 16:30

wow dhall_gagan thats an impressive list of observations you have put into writing. I have this car for more then 3 months now and yet i was not aware about some of these features. These features surely have made me more proud of this beauty.

Guys i'm planning to get tints for my black cruze. Any suggestions on the same?

dhall_gagan · 27th April 2010, 14:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashish22

wow dhall_gagan thats an impressive list of observations you have put into writing. I have this car for more then 3 months now and yet i was not aware about some of these features. These features surely have made me more proud of this beauty.

Guys i'm planning to get tints for my black cruze. Any suggestions on the same?

Thanx ashish.
For tints, try some reflective ones, they will look uber cool

mobike008 · 27th April 2010, 15:25

Great pointers there Dhall. Looks like the new owners have to sit down with the manual for a week to understand its complete features knowing for sure the sales associates wouldnt even know about them.

However, i am keen to know the driving pleasure and power of this car. Does it thrust you back in the seat ( i mean the accelaration has that kind of power after a certain minimum RPM is crossed? If yes, whats that min rpm? 2K?)

I have been dreaming to buy this car but, I dont feel justified to slap 14L on an M/T for a Chevrolet brand as its value will hugely depreciate the minute it steps out of the showroom. I reckon will wait until next year to find a pristine pre-owned one ( hopefully)

ashish22 · 27th April 2010, 16:19

mobike i can vouch for the acceleration it provides after 2K rpm. However its more linear rather then the sudden rush of torque wave. The engine is very petrol like in terms of the revs and the power delivery. Having said that this car can attain huge speeds in no time and the way it attains speeds can leave you in gasp. Driving pleasure is right there for the taking. You can even call it poor man's 320D when it comes to straightline driving. But in corners its a chevy and drives like a chevy.

3rd January 2010, 01:09	#526
swiftsuzuki71 Newbie Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 5 Thanked: 0 Times	Thanks very much for the Review, It is a such a brilliant writing with niggy details being also highlighted. The Car looks very impressive in its class. Defenitely would be waiting to see more numbers on the streets very soon. Superb engineering by Chevy and awesome thinking by the designers. The electronics are quite impressive with keyless entry and ignition, Not seen on any C+ or D segment cars, Kudos to Chevy there. Just a absolute <15 Lakh car on the Indian Roads.
	() Thanks

5th February 2010, 19:43	#527
arijit.co.in BHPian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Kolkata Posts: 68 Thanked: 0 Times View My Garage	awesum review tsk !! the cruze is just one of the rare typical american type sedans on indian roads !! cruze indeed rocks but i feel the ltz model is slightly over priced. people within the 12 lacs budget would love the cruze but only have the ltz as an option by adding a lac and half more as the base variant lacks all the essential features of a 12 lacs sedan !! apart the pricing concern, chevrolet is all set to rock the indian car market with the cruze, captiva and beat.
	() Thanks

5th February 2010, 20:44	#528
nag20in Newbie Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 15 Thanked: 0 Times	Hi, I recently saw the auto transmision versin of Cruze in one of the chevrolet showroom, when i asked the showroom person he said it is coming soon....( may be after the Beat Buzz)
	() Thanks

10th February 2010, 05:12	#530
Axe77 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Mumbai Posts: 6,915 Thanked: 20,638 Times	Nice review. Mods - it would be really helpful if the original review could be expanded to include a review of the A/T version as well. Then it could serve as the definitive reference point for both versions of the Cruze for prospective buyers.
	() Thanks

23rd February 2010, 16:27	#531
wildon BANNED Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2,440 Thanked: 1,235 Times View My Garage	Cruze Automatic Brochure . Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks

4th March 2010, 16:55	#533
tsk1979 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 23,717 Thanked: 22,825 Times View My Garage	Thanks! We try to make reviews as detailed as possible.
	() Thanks

9th April 2010, 13:47	#534
dhall_gagan BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Delhi Posts: 166 Thanked: 14 Times View My Garage	Few missing updated first, a commendable review, great job done TSK. I was reading the thread and found some misconceptions few guys have for Cruze, which i got cleared from a recent TD of the car(LTZ automatic) I did. - There is a feature which enables you to make sure only your side of door opens when you come near the car. i.e with this feature ON, if you are on the Driver's side only Driver side door opens and all others remain locked - The remote works only if you are within 1 meter range of the car, I verified it with a 1 Meter scale myself - If someone runs away with the car with you having the key, the car will get stalled after 500 meters. [ VERIFIED] - The Audio system has a feature which automatically adjusts your system volume depending upon the noise on the outside and your speed.(again configurable) - There is a lever to come out of the car from the trunk in case you are trapped inside. - The guy was talking about another way to start the car in case your key stops functioning, a discussion which got lost in other things, will update you guys on it. - The audio system and all the lights in the cabin get automatically switched off after 30 seconds of car lock - The automatic geabox used in Cruze is a GM 6T40 transmission which is one of the best in the industry - It is a little delayed in the downshift but the upshift is perfect and also delivers well in the city as well the highways Hope it clarify few doubts in the minds of fellow T-BHPians
	() Thanks

22nd April 2010, 14:38	#536
foodie Newbie Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 16 Thanked: Once	Test Drive of the LTZ AT Just my "solah anna" * I'm not an expert, but there was no lag noticeable in the AT (I've decided my next car will be an AT and have not driven the M/T to compare). I found the Laura PD AT to be quite laggy in comparison. It was a real pain to drive in rush hour traffic (test drive only) * After the test drive I came away feeling like a monkey that had found King Kong's secret banana store. I was floored by the car. This was just so much fun. * All the reviewers have pointed out the many pros and cons. On balance, this car definitely leans towards driving pleasure rather than backseat comfort and overall luxury. At 16.2Lakh OTR, I would need a little more of the ride quality and luxury feeling to justify this purchase to myself. This is also because in truth, I've been looking for an A/T under 12L, and 16L is a stretch for me. I don't see myself doing the amount of highway driving to truly enjoy all the gifts this car has to offer. Having said that, I'm probably going to look wistfully at every Cruze that passes me by in my (likely) new Honda City and think "what wudda, if I hadda"
	() Thanks

22nd April 2010, 16:30	#537
ashish22 BHPian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 598 Thanked: 100 Times View My Garage	wow dhall_gagan thats an impressive list of observations you have put into writing. I have this car for more then 3 months now and yet i was not aware about some of these features. These features surely have made me more proud of this beauty. Guys i'm planning to get tints for my black cruze. Any suggestions on the same?
	() Thanks

27th April 2010, 15:25	#539
mobike008 Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 11,695 Thanked: 14,800 Times View My Garage	Great pointers there Dhall. Looks like the new owners have to sit down with the manual for a week to understand its complete features knowing for sure the sales associates wouldnt even know about them. However, i am keen to know the driving pleasure and power of this car. Does it thrust you back in the seat ( i mean the accelaration has that kind of power after a certain minimum RPM is crossed? If yes, whats that min rpm? 2K?) I have been dreaming to buy this car but, I dont feel justified to slap 14L on an M/T for a Chevrolet brand as its value will hugely depreciate the minute it steps out of the showroom. I reckon will wait until next year to find a pristine pre-owned one ( hopefully)
	() Thanks

27th April 2010, 16:19	#540
ashish22 BHPian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 598 Thanked: 100 Times View My Garage	mobike i can vouch for the acceleration it provides after 2K rpm. However its more linear rather then the sudden rush of torque wave. The engine is very petrol like in terms of the revs and the power delivery. Having said that this car can attain huge speeds in no time and the way it attains speeds can leave you in gasp. Driving pleasure is right there for the taking. You can even call it poor man's 320D when it comes to straightline driving. But in corners its a chevy and drives like a chevy.
	() Thanks