There’s no denying that the 2011 Chevy Cruze is nothing short of a fine car — our own Alex Luft even bought one just a few short months ago. But Chevy isn’t about to rest on its laurels with a good product and is planning a few upgrades to its Delta II-based compact sedan for the 2012 model year. Our sources have let us know that one of those upgrades will be a keyless entry system with push-button start — much akin to the systems available on the Chevy Corvette, Buick LaCrosse, and Cadillac CTS, STS, and SRX.
If you’re not familiar, keyless entry with push-button start conveniently allow the driver to unlock and start the vehicle while keeping the car key in a pocket, bag, or purse.
Our sources have indicated that the engine start button on the Cruze will be square in shape (instead of round, as is the case on most push-button start implementations) and will be located near the steering column instead of on the center stack — as seen on the Buick Verano — the Cruze’s more luxurious platform mate.
At this point, we’re not sure whether the Cruze’s keyless entry system will be present on all four doors (and the trunk) or just on the two front doors; we should point out that the latter is more prevalent on mainstream vehicles while the former is more common on luxury cars. In either case, it will most likely be reserved for the more expensive Cruze trim levels such as the 2LT and LTZ.
According to sources, GM has been building a few prototypes of the 2012 Cruze with keyless entry at its Lordstown, OH plant — so if you seen one lurking around the area, be sure to snap a few pictures of the door handles and the interior!
The GM Authority Take
As far as we know, this will be the first Chevrolet with push-button start after the Volt (thanks Steve) and the mighty Corvette. It’s exciting to see Chevy make rolling updates to its vehicles instead of patiently waiting for mid-cycle refreshes — a trend we hope will carry over to the Bow Tie brand’s other vehicle lines.
[nggallery id=252]
Comments
The Chevy Volt has a push button start and keyless entry.
You’re absolutely right Steve! Thanks for the note – just made an addendum!
Looks good if 2012 chevy cruze having LED breaklight and LED front daylight.
About time they start putting this feature on more vehicles. I have an 06 Vette that has it and since then I can’t live without it. Thats 5 years ago at least Chevy has had this feature and because of them not putting it on more vehicles GMC has lost 2 sales from me over the past 5 years. They are about to lose another one since the GMC Acadia and Terrain do not offer this feature. Looks like I will have to buy a Mercedes GLK instead. Get your act together GM.
Forget about putting it on all four doors, just give me a two door car in the first place…
Well this is quite surprizing… Because I am from India and i just got a Cruze 2.0L LTZ and its a 2011 model with Keyless entry and keyless pushbutton start.
WOW… WOW GM is really ahead of the curve now… its 2013 almost and they have 6, count them SIX models available with push button start!!!!! In case anybody missed it this is sarcasm. Unreal that PBS isn’t available on every model made at this point. Oh well time to buy a Ford, Mercedes, BMW, Lexus, Kia or even a Hyundai (they have all offered PBS for at least a few years now).
Forgot to mention, I’m not looking for a vehicle like the Cruize, if I were I would be very glad to see it has PBS. I have been looking at Acadia for a few years now waiting for it to have PBS and 2013 and still NO. Pathetic.