Over a decade ago, the Chevrolet Cruze was previewed by one of the rising budget-brand stars, Daewoo. The Korean marque made good sales by emphasising three-year warranties, free servicing and customer service rather than its cars. Most models were based on GM Europe cast-offs, but the marque found a ready market until it morphed into Chevrolet in 2005. The Cruze replaces the Lacetti, itself a rebadged version of the Daewoo Nubira.
Chevrolets, like Hyundais, Kias, Skodas, are all so-called ‘value’ cars, the term being a euphemism for ‘budget’, or ‘cheap’. But these are good times for value chasers, not least because the standards these cars set are far higher than those of the budget wheels on sale a few years ago.
The high quality and competence of Skoda’s offerings and the quantum leap taken by the latest Kias and Hyundais has the Octavia, Cee’d and i30 knocking hard on the door of mainstream competitiveness. So this Chevrolet Cruze, which replaced the almost relentlessly sub-standard Lacetti, faces a tough task.
This is an all-new design, however, and a critical one for Chevrolet as its GM parent furthers its aim of making the brand a global rival for Toyota. So the Cruze will be sold right across the planet. Despite this broad remit, though, Chevrolet claims that the car will suit European tastes.
It certainly has the potential to suit tight budgets. The well equipped base model comes in at a keen price, while the top-of-the-range version remains shy of an entry-level Ford Mondeo.
Engine choices are nowhere near as wide as that from Ford: you’ve only got 1.6 or 1.8-litre petrols and a 2.0-litre diesel to choose from in S, LS , LT and LTZ trim levels (not every trim is available with every engine, though).
Buyers have the choice of a five-door hatchback or four-door saloon - with the former taking the vast majority of sales.
