2012 Cruze Eco - or how the engineers snookered the MBA's

[LeSabre in Buffalo]

Here's the LeSabre replacement: a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze Eco (6MT). It was built in mid-August, and had just barely hit the dealer's lot when I got it with 7 miles on the odometer. I traded my LeSabre off, since it was developing many expensive problems that have been detailed here.

Pretty much, this car in another era would have been labeled as the GT version due to what's been done to it. But since it's 2011 and we're all greened up now, it came out as the Eco version with some overdrive gears to get good highway fuel economy. The bean-counters wanted a "green" version of the Cruze that wasn't a penalty box. The engineers found ways to increase fuel economy that also increase performance.

Junk Ipod photos. I'll get better ones once my camera charges up.

[GoldenBullet]

Nice! How tall are you and how do you fit? My parents are considering a Cruze but my dad is nervous about leg/headroom.

[SSEiMan01]

Nice!
I'm interested in how this works out for you...I almost bought a cruze instead of my Bonneville

[yonkerse]

Sad to see the Rolling Couch go. Hopefully you got a good price for trade in.

My buddy picked up a 2011 Cruze LT (had 11 miles on it) about three months ago with the 5 speed manual trans. First of all, I was VERY impressed of the quality of an "entry" level car. I have friends with Cobalts and the cars feel like entry level cars...doors shut hard, lots of road noise, cheesy dash..etc.

I jumped behind the wheel of my buddies Cruze and I was amazed. The overall quality was much improved, everything flowed nicely, and when I turned the key, the gauges looked SWEET! As I looked over the car more, I was very impressed with it for the price. The clutch and steering of the car was very sporty which I really liked. His car was equipped with the N/A 1.4 (i think) and that was pretty peppy for that car, which also surprised me. Since he has reported nearly 38-39 MPG highway and the car isn't even broken in yet!!

All in all, the car was great. Hats off to GM for really raising the quality of their entry level vehicle. I certainly wouldn't mind owning one day...if I could ever own a car that small again...HAHA

[petraman]

I wanted one of these so badly before I bought the Fiesta, but the dealers wouldn't budge on the price at all on the lease offers sucked. It really surprised me with its acceleration and interior, it felt like a MUCH bigger car. Naturally, though, the Fiesta owns the Cruze in the handling department, and the Fiesta has a much better stereo (and SYNC). Still happy with my choice

Looks great man, I love those wheels! I would have thought the eco would come with some "eco" wheels, haha....

[LeSabre in Buffalo]

Nice! How tall are you and how do you fit? My parents are considering a Cruze but my dad is nervous about leg/headroom.

I'm 5'8" with a build that's short on torso and long on legs. I fit just fine. I've got the seat cranked up pretty high, with a lot of headroom left. The roof does slope down in the front, so somebody who needs to sit further forward might have headroom issues.

The Cruze is VERY quiet at highway speeds. It's easy to pick up speed without realizing it. Overall, the interior of this car is pretty good. The points being touched all the time on my car are either leather (shift knob, steering wheel) or soft-touch vinyl (door arm rest, center arm rest).

If you think the NA 1.8 with a 5-speed is peppy, this is just a wee bit faster. Mileage is better, too. It'll take a while to make up the price difference in gas saved, however.

Go figure, the dealer I got my Cruze from was eager to sell me the car, so they cut a good bit off their price. I got a fair deal that I'm happy enough with. Those wheels are "eco" wheels due to their lack of weight.

[BonneMe]

Nice cars, definitely better than the Cavi and Cobalts. Personally i'd pickup a Fiesta (or Focus really) but it's more personal preference points.

But I'll keep my 10 year old BMW that'll pull low to mid 30's for mpg on the freeway for less than half the price

[LeSabre in Buffalo]

The Focus just didn't set well with me. It was looked at, and decided against.

[BonneMe]

I want to see some better pix! Like, the interior, or the whole car framed

I am seeing Focus' and Cruzes everywhere here in the Twin Cities, good!

[Blown93SSEi]

Good lookin' cruzer (heh) you have there.

If you don't mind me asking how much did you pay for it out the door and how was the dealership experience?

[GoldenBullet]

Does the eco come in a manual only?

[00Beast]

Does the eco come in a manual only?

I believe so.


Looking great Dave!!! They're definitely not a bad looking car. Can't wait to see how it holds up for ya.

[LeSabre in Buffalo]

I got the dealer down to $18870 before TTL, and before trade. After taxes and fees, it was $20,600. With a little down payment and trade since Buicks don't trade for very much around me, it was under $20k out the door.

They tacked on some fees I wasn't able to wiggle out of, and this silly etching service that etches an identifier onto the car instead of the VIN. I wish I had been more aware of that, as I would have tried to get out of reimbursing them for it. I'll get a VIN etch before too long.

There are a lot of little features that show somebody was paying attention, like the hood having weatherstripping where it meets the headlights/bumper cover, the active shutter system, and a grab handle in the trunk to close it.

I'll drive this some more today, and get to drive a fun little road by me to see how sorted everything is.

Here are some interior shots:



Door pockets:


View from the driver's seat:




Warning: hairy man legs!

Back seat footroom:


Driver headroom. I'm 5'8" and have the height-adjustable seat cranked up very high:


Trunk:


Wheels. Limited clearance since the brakes are pretty large for the size car it is:



Lip spoiler from the factory:



Engine shots:



Here's the turbo:



Lots of space in most areas of the engine bay:


Yes, there's a little plastic hood latch guard:



I'm happy so far.

[J Wikoff]

The Fiesta is more Aveo-like in class (but a better car, maybe the Sonic or whatever it is that's coming will be good), so it's more fair to compare the Cruze to the Focus (in price, size, etc).

I got curious so I built an Eco on Chevy's site, and an auto is available as a several hundred dollar option. I'm really glad the Cruze is doing well. I'm seeing more each day, and it's kinda eye catching.

[Jim W]

I'm glad Chevy found a way to take Corolla/Civic/Elantra head on and offer a realistic alternative to the bread and butter products.

Its a great looking car and apparently its catching on. Feedback from dealers I talk to say they don't keep em on the lots long. Seems like good value for the dollar.

[2002BonnevilleSE]

Really sweet looking car.
But I have just one question. Does it have to come with a pair of hairy legs in the backseat?
I think thats a very nice car. Like the fact it has a manual too.

[petraman]

Oh I forgot to add, +100 for getting a stick. The transmission I drove shifted really well, but I did notice that the clutch was a little heavy for a 4-cyl. BTW, that interior is REALLY nice, looks very well built and upscale. At the Detroit Auto Show, I complained to the GM rep that they don't offer any of the "advanced" features in the eco. It seems weird that they don't offer satnav or leather in a model that expensive...

[LeSabre in Buffalo]

I've got a nice GPS, and leather will frankly get destroyed quickly the way I use a car.

The dealer got this car on 8/17/11, and it was in my name yesterday. So it was on the lot for 5 days before it was sold. Other folks in there were buying Cruzes and Malibus.

[LeSabreUltra]

Looks great, love the color. That would be my first color choice. Looks like you came out well!

It seems weird that they don't offer satnav or leather in a model that expensive...

Both of which are available on the LT or LTZ. I'll be opting for an LT (hopefully with a stick) for the leather. I love dead cow skin, and I love the fact that you can get it on an entry level car.

Not really worried about satnav though as my phone has GPS and that's good enough for me. But my next car has gotta have dead cow!
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[Saturn Simon]

I got curious so I built an Eco on Chevy's site, and an auto is available as a several hundred dollar option. I'm really glad the Cruze is doing well. I'm seeing more each day, and it's kinda eye catching.

Striking from the front, bland at the back, IMO.

Still a very nice looking car overall though, and the proportions are just right. Looks good in black.