Chevrole Cruze LT
Chevrolet is one of the earliest brands of automobiles, tracing its roots back to the early 20th century, eventually being noted for its classic designs (especially incorporated in its famous muscle cars) and sturdy pickup trucks that have inspired generations of owners through the decades.
Malaysian automobile enthusiasts get just a taste of this American legacy via some of the offerings currently being presented by Naza Group Bhd, with this week’s focus on the Cruze LT.
There are two variants, namely the Cruze LT and the Cruze Sport LT, the only notable difference being the body kit that comes with the Sport LT.
The test model was a Cruze LT featuring a four-cylinder, 1.8 litre engine with a DOHC, a six-speed automatic Shiftronic transmission, all on 16-inch wheels.
As I had driven various Chevy models (such as the Camaro and the Chevelle) before, I was not a stranger to this brand when I was presented the Cruze LT. I had strong expectations for this car based on past experiences.
The vehicle itself bore some of the design elements of its famous relatives: the notably large frame, strong streamlines and the extended bonnet and cavity which accommodated a large engine.
These features represented characteristics that were remiss in contemporary vehicles going the opposite direction with compact sizes and compact engines.
The interior was nifty with a two tone motif, black and blue; this was also available in a dark grey and black. The predominantly black motif certainly rendered a dark and empowering quality to the vehicle as a whole.
The manually adjustable and sporty fabric seats were hearty and comfortable as were the 60:40 split-fold rear seats which could accommodate more space for storage. Leather seats would have been a nice touch but this was not a priority for me.
The sound system, with a six-CD changer and various connectivity options was acceptably clear; additional controls for volume and the FM tuner were made available via buttons on the steering wheel. The Chevy Cruze LT came with safety features such as standard dual air-bags, anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD), brake assist (BA) and Traction Control which could be disabled via a switch located near the gear shift.
Upon start-up, the idle engine noise was acceptably minimal and the overall cabin noise level was comfortably low enough to be barely perceivable. Exterior idle engine noise levels were quite low as well, effectively drowned out by ambient city noise. Stepping on the accelerator produced a distinct engine growl that was unmistakably American in character; I’ve not ever heard this from Asian or European makes.
During the test drive, the vehicle felt ‘heavy’ in the sense that it was not nimble; this might have been part of Chevy’s attempt to emulate the powerhouse muscle cars that were part of its heritage. I could not step on the pedal and get instantly gratifying torque right off the bat. There was no immediate punch as the ‘true grit’ came only at the upper end of the tachometer.
There were two different modes of the Shiftronic transmission for varied driving styles: automatic mode and manual mode. The gear shifting was acceptably smooth in both modes and did not disappoint the driving experience.
The overall handling of the Cruze LT was a mixed bag: steering was silky smooth and intuitive but the actual suspension felt a little bumpy on the rougher segments of the test drive route.
The ‘sporty’ tuned suspension and overinflated tyres in the test vehicle (to facilitate the full tyre look in the showroom) might have played a role in the latter. Otherwise, the ride could have been smoother given the comprehensive suspension system.
As I had driven Chevy muscle cars in the land where they originate from, I was not disappointed as the cost of these vehicles in Malaysia would be prohibitive to most people. Overall, I felt that the Cruze was geared (to some extent) towards drivers looking for a sporty looking vehicle that was a reminiscent but affordable version of the American sports car.