2016 Chevrolet Cruze: First Look

• Competes with: Dodge Dart, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Nissan Sentra
• Looks like: A mini-Malibu
• Drivetrains: 153-hp, turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder; six-speed manual or optional six-speed automatic transmission; front-wheel drive
• Hits dealerships: Early 2016

Chevrolet is a busy brand this year, unveiling five new or heavily redesigned vehicles across its lineup in the first six months of 2015. In addition to the Camaro, Volt, Spark and Malibu, we now see the fifth component of that new showroom: the redesigned 2016 Chevrolet Cruze compact sedan. Despite it being a top-seller for the brand, it’s still not one of the sales leaders in the competitive compact segment.

Chevy is hoping to change that by updating its globally best-selling model with a version specific to North America that’s a little different in terms of style and content from the car it sells abroad.

Exterior

Outside, the new Cruze is longer, lower and leaner than the previous generation, measuring 2.7 inches longer than the outgoing model but with a roofline that’s about an inch lower than before. The windshield and rear glass are more steeply raked for a sleeker, more aerodynamic profile, stretching back to an integrated rear spoiler that helps the Cruze generate some top-notch aero numbers. An optional RS Package adds a sportier appearance, with new front and rear bumpers, fog lights, grille and other exterior adornments.

Interior

Inside, passenger room has been improved as well, with more legroom for rear passengers thanks to more than a half-inch increase in the car’s wheelbase. Chevrolet claims that rear passengers will enjoy more rear knee room than in the Ford Focus or Hyundai Elantra. Up front, a new instrument panel with a repositioned shifter and cupholders sits between the front seats, while the panel itself receives a new layered look that features piano-black, matte-black and bright accents depending on trim level, which have now changed to L, LS, LT and Premier. A host of optional features are available, including heated front cloth seats, and a few that are unusual in this segment like heated rear leather seats and a heated leather steering wheel.

Chevrolet is also trying to differentiate itself from the pack and go after younger buyers with the inclusion of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capabilities in the next-generation Chevrolet MyLink multimedia system. The console will feature a standard 7-inch touch-screen with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, with an optional 8-inch screen when navigation is selected. At launch, however, only the navigation-equipped models will come with Apple CarPlay. The increased connectivity options will allow for more integrated smartphone apps to be offered to customers.

Under the Hood

The overall changes to the body structure, suspension, powertrain and interior have delivered a car that weighs 250 pounds less than the previous model, despite the car’s increased length and wheelbase. It’ll be powered by a standard 153-hp, turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine that’s mated to a standard six-speed manual transmission. A six-speed automatic will be optional, and a diesel engine is slated to arrive in 2017.

The combination of its lighter weight and turbocharged engine is said to be good enough to propel the Cruze from zero to 60 mph in just 8 seconds, besting several competitors. When equipped with the automatic transmission, Chevrolet says the Cruze will achieve more than 40 mpg on the highway. The Cruze will also feature a significant number of standard features such as four-wheel-disc brakes with Duralife rotors and a backup camera that Chevy says aren’t on its competitors.
 

Safety

The car will feature 10 standard airbags, including frontal driver and passenger, roof-mounted side curtain airbags in both rows, front and rear seat-mounted side-impact airbags and front knee airbags. Optional equipment includes blind spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane keep assist and forward collision alert, but no auto-braking function.

The 2016 Chevrolet Cruze is set to show up in dealer showrooms early next year.