2011 Chevrolet Cruze Overview Change Vehicle

This 2011 Chevrolet Cruze overview explains changes for the model year, provides a summary of the Chevrolet Cruze, and includes safety, reliability, and fuel economy information for the Cruze.

Remember the Chevy Cobalt? Perhaps not. It was like that co-worker you would see around the office who never seemed interesting or compelling enough to place a face with a name. “Oh, his name is Michael,” you would say as the most common of American names went in one ear and out the other. So it was with the Cobalt. It was an all-too common and ultimately forgettable American car.

Not so for its replacement, the all-new 2011 Chevy Cruze. Attractive lines and style are matched to a surprisingly up-market interior to create an affordable compact car that quickly suppresses any lingering memories of the old Cobalt.

You’ll find the 2011 Cruze sedan in five different trim levels. The entry-level Cruze LS starts at $16,995 and the highest-end and most luxuriously appointed Cruze LTZ starts at $22,695. In between are the 1LT and 2LT models that start at $18,425 and $20,925 respectively. Chevy also sells the fuel-economically friendly Cruze Eco model that starts at $18,895.

The Cruze LS includes cloth bucket seats, power windows, single-zone climate control, Bluetooth connectivity, 16-inch silver-painted wheel covers, 10 standard air bags, StabiliTrak Electronic Stability Control System plus traction control, four-wheel antilock brakes, OnStar Directions & Connections plan for the first six months, including turn-by-turn Navigation and a three-month subscription to XM Radio.

The Cruze 1LT includes the features in the Cruze LS but now offers cruise control, standard front and rear floor mats, an available power driver’s seat and leather-wrapped steering wheel, available upgraded sound system and optional remote-vehicle start.

The Cruze 2LT is a first step toward luxury features and includes leather-appointed heated driver and passenger’s seats, power driver’s seat, steering wheel-mounted audio controls and remote start. You can also add a variety of options like a navigation system, moonroof, upgraded sound system and rear parking assist.

You’re in Cruze luxury territory with the LTZ trim that includes Bluetooth wireless technology, a USB port, automatic climate control, a more refined instrument panel, ultrasonic rear-park assist, chrome door handles, 18-inch silver-painted alloy wheels and four-wheel antilock disk brakes. Of course, all the available options are there for your choosing.

The Cruze Eco trim is designed to maximize fuel efficiency. It features a unique front fascia air dam, a lower front grille air shutter and rear spoiler, 17-inch fifteen-spoke forged polished aluminum wheels with ultra-low rolling resistance tires, and a standard six-speed manual transmission with Eco overdrive gear.

Our test Cruze Eco featured stitched cloth seats versus leather. Our only quibble with the cloth on the seats, the dash and doors (yes, cloth in all locations) is that it attracts lint from clothing and light colors on the dark background could drive an obsessive-compulsive, lint-extracting clean-freak crazy. The interior is styled very similarly to the 2011 Chevy Equinox, another GM vehicle that exceeded our expectations with its tasteful look. The black interior is accented by silver plastic on the steering wheel, stick shift and center console. Granted, it’s plastic, but it looks remarkably like the brushed aluminum of Apple notebook computers. Last time we checked, Apple buyers were content paying a premium for that look.

As a sub-$20,000 vehicle, leather is as scarce in this car as snow in South Florida. In other words, the wrapped leather steering wheel is it. But you get some nice convenience features on the wheel including cruise control, Bluetooth phone controls, and volume and station tuning controls. The standard GM digital audio display works well and audio controls are easy to understand and distinctively separate from climate controls that sit at the low end of the center console.

You sense you’re driving a vehicle that costs more than you actually spent. Your bank account will appreciate that fact. So will your passengers.

Four out of the five Cruze trims feature the 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that generates 138 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque. But if you’re buying the base Cruze, you’ll get the 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 136 horsepower and 123 lb-ft of torque. Seems like a small difference but trust us, you want the turbocharged engine, especially in the Cruze Eco that actually gets the top fuel economy among all Cruze models.

The base Cruze LS achieves 26 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway. The Cruze Eco returns 28 mpg in the city and 42 on the freeway. That’s your mileage leader. The 1LT, 2LT and LTZ occupy the middle ground at 24 mpg city and 36 highway.

It is worthwhile to note, however, that the Cruze Eco’s fuel tank only holds 12.6 gallons while all other models hold 15.6 gallons. So you may be able to travel a few miles further in the non-Eco versions of the Cruze if covering more than 400 miles between fill-ups is an important consideration in your buying process.

Over a week of driving the Cruze Eco in the dead of winter in Utah, we netted only 29.5 mpg. We blame two factors: lots of city driving and a heavy right foot due to the turbo acceleration. We expect that if you were committed to achieving or even besting the EPA ratings of 30 mpg combined, you could easily do so with slow, thoughtful driving.

The Cruze is one safe small car and notched a Top Safety Pick designation this year with its arrival. That’s because it achieved top scores in all tests by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration agrees since it bestowed a 5-Star crashworthiness rating in its new, more stringent test procedures.

Ten airbags are standard on the Cruze, including dual frontal airbags, side-curtain airbags on both rows, knee airbags for the driver and front seat passenger, and side-impact airbags for front and rear seat occupants. Every Cruze is also equipped with traction control, stability control, and antilock brakes.

OnStar’s Automatic Crash Response and Injury Severity Prediction is a standard feature that is free for the first year. The OnStar system will alert emergency workers if an accident occurs.

Reliability data is not yet available from Consumer Reports because the Cruze is new for 2011. J.D. Power and Associates predicts the Cruze will provide above-average reliability.

Chevrolet offers their standard three-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a five-year or 100,000 mile powertrain warranty. They also include free roadside assistance for five years or 100,000 miles. So you’re in good, secure hands with the Cruze.

The most surprising element about driving the Cruze Eco was the zippy feeling as we buzzed around town. Our only real complaint is the turbo lag as you spool up the engine. Press the pedal and…wait. Acceleration is far from instantaneous and we often found ourselves mentally counting the nano-seconds before the torque kicked in. However, once the engine was revving, the car felt spry and peppy. But that wait was a bit annoying. A little transmission refinement by Chevy engineers will go a long ways toward making the Cruze an even more satisfying daily driver.

Since torque delivers peak power at only 1,850 rpm, the Cruze feels remarkably zippy – once you’re past the initial delay. While 138 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque may seem relatively low, in a small vehicle like the Cruze, that’s plenty of power to get you moving down the road. You won’t break any land-speed records buzzing from 0-60. Figure somewhere between 9.5 and 10 seconds. But the engine gets the job done in daily driving on surface streets or highway settings.

Our test vehicle came equipped with an optional six-speed automatic transmission. The six-speed manual is standard in the Eco and we’ll choose a manual over auto every time. Overall, the Cruze is easy to maneuver and park and enjoyable to drive.

If you’re in the market for a sub-$20,000 vehicle, the 2011 Chevy Cruze deserves serious consideration. Especially the Cruze Eco. It costs less than a similarly appointed Honda Civic EX-L and Ford Focus SEL. Plus, it beats the fuel economy of both vehicles in city and highway driving.

The Cruze is a winner for Chevrolet. With a comfortable ride, a tasteful interior and an affordable price, this Chevy may run deep into your garage and life.

By Michael Waterman