2011 Chevy Cruze

The Chevy Cruze is available in several trim levels, including the base LS level, which comes with a 1.8-liter Ecotec engine and a six-speed manual transmission standard. Chevy Cruze LTZ
Jumping to the range-topping LTZ will result in the same 1.4-liter turbocharged engine, but with a six-speed automatic transmission.

Also standard will be cruise control, Bluetooth, USB, steering-wheel radio controls, automatic climate control, ultrasonic rear-parking assist, 18-inch wheels and remote start.
The Chevy Cruze will also feature rack-mounted electric power steering -- a features that delivers a marginal fuel gain and reduces required steering input for low speed maneuvers.The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze is an all-new small sedan that replaces the aged Cobalt.

Breaking with the Chevy tradition of offering a larger-than-average engine in a small car, the Cruze offers a pair of fuel-efficient yet peppy small power plants. In terms of features, even the base Chevy Cruze LS comes pretty well equipped, with 10 airbags being one notable standard equipment highlight. The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze is a small sedan that comes in four main trim levels: LS, Eco, LT and LTZ.

The Chevy Cruze LTZ adds 18-inch alloy wheels, automatic climate control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, illuminated vanity mirrors, rear park assist, a sport-tuned suspension and four-wheel disc brakes.

The Chevy Cruze LS is powered by a 1.8-liter inline-4 that makes 136 horsepower and 123 pound-feet of torque. EPA fuel economy estimates stand at 22 mpg city/35 mpg highway and 27 mpg combined for the Cruze LS. The fuel-economy-focused Cruze Eco earns a laudable 28 mpg city/42 mpg highway and 33 mpg combined with the manual transmission and 26/37/30 with the automatic.

All 2011 Chevrolet Cruze models come with stability control, antilock brakes, full-length side curtain airbags, front knee airbags and front and rear side impact airbags as standard. All trims save the LTZ have a front-disc/rear-drum brake setup; the LTZ upgrades to four-wheel disc brakes.

In Edmunds brake testing, a Chevy Cruze LTZ stopped from 60 mph in 122 feet, a decent distance for this class of car.
The most surprising characteristic of the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze is its genuinely athletic handling and comfortable, controlled ride quality. Most drivers should be satisfied with either of the Cruze's engines.

The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze starts a new small-car chapter for General Motors, replacing the Cobalt, which never quite earned the respect or ratings of segment leaders like the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. The Ohio-built Chevy Cruze follows a global design that's been fine-tuned for the United States. Powertrains are completely new; a base 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine should perform reasonably well and return good fuel economy, but the star of the lineup is a new turbocharged 1.4-liter four that not only performs slightly better but gets higher EPA fuel economy numbers—up to 40 mpg highway in a new Chevy Cruze Eco model. Small-car shoppers are becoming a demanding lot.