2016 Chevrolet Cruze: Hot Or Not?
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Chevrolet completed their “Five in ’15” mantra yesterday evening with the unveiling of the 2016 Cruze. Arguably, other than the 2016 Malibu, the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze is one of the most important cars the brand has introduced.
And now we’re here to dissect whether you feel the car is a winner, or a loser in the design department.
Chevrolet can talk new specs all it wants, but the fact of the matter is most average consumers will take one look at a car and either love it, or hate it. In our opinion, we think there’s a lot going for the 2016 Cruze with the exterior design.
The shape is reminiscent of the 2016 Volt, and that’s not a bad thing, as the Volt wears its sheetmetal in a very handsome matter. The design looks fresh, and isn’t too polarizing to create that split “love or hate” mentality we spoke of above. The front-end continues the evolution of the Chevrolet split-piece grille, and the rear gains a few nods to the C7 Corvette Stingray in those tail lamps.
Overall, we think it’s a very cohesive design, unlike the outgoing car where the rear seemed to be mismatched to the front clip.
Now that you know what we think, what say you? Has Chevy created another hit for the compact-car market? Or, have they not done enough with the design to set it apart? Vote in the poll, and make yourself heard in the comment section.
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Everyone says it looks like a Civic. The more I look at it the less it looks like it.
The question of whether or not this is hot is simple. The answer isn’t.
Affordable sedans in America aren’t meant to be hot. They’re meant to be ‘nice’. Like toast is nice. So either the toast is good or it isn’t. In a quick judge of the exterior, I’d say this toast is nice enough to be good.
Chevy, to me, has always been semi-cheesy. In that if you can afford a better car, go get one. And that’s not an opinion or a slur. After all, if this Cruze was nicer than the Buick Verano, why by the Buick? See what I mean? That said: this Cruze doesn’t look as ‘cheesy’ or ‘basic’ as its predecessor. It’s refined enough to force the Verano to up it’s game… which is a compliment.
I’m not sure that blue was the best idea to showcase the car. Again, it kind of speaks of that ‘cheesy’ thing. The color isn’t as refined as the car, and so it cheapens it a little. The current ‘Blue Ray Metallic’ maybe jazzed up a notch would have been more fitting for this new Cruze.
I guess the question here is really if buyers will consider sitting inside this thing or not. Based upon the exterior. The answer is likely YES, but that the interior and drive will be the deal closer.
I’m noticing their are fanboys on this site that can’t handle the least bit of criticism. I presume whoever just thumbed down this response skimmed it. The only real criticism was that the blue color could have been more sophisticated.
If you’ve got a problem with something I said, come out of hiding.
Just because someone gave your comment(s) a “thumbs down” rating doesn’t mean they’re a “fanboy” and or unable to handle your “criticism” of the new Cruze. What it does mean is they didn’t agree with the opinion you expressed. Not all of us are white dopes on punk, y’know…
BTW, I did not rate your comment.
To disagree with position on the Cruze but not explain why is lame. Plus, again, all I really said was the blue could be more sophisticated.
Yet that’s unacceptable to five people. Why? Fanbois until otherwise explained.
So did I!
You’re awfully sensitive guy. I just gave you a thumbs down for that.
Not sensitive Mike. Observant. If a site invites legitimate discussion, discussion would have happened. A pile of downvotes is meant to ‘bully’ the poster into saying more positive things.
Still waiting for one of the eight people who down voted to grow a pair and explain why they did so.
Just some food for thought:
If the owners of this website deemed it as necessary for every thought, opinion and reaction to be rationalized in words as you appear to, they wouldn’t have arranged for the “thumbs up” and “thumbs down” option below the comment. Some things don’t have to warrant a comment.
In the mean time, please take it up with the website mods without giving anyone shit for not justifying their reaction to your comments in the process.
Your definition of the word “hot” is likely completely different from the average person who buys a car in this class. Compared to a sports car (Camaro, Vette, etc), sure this is a “nice” car. Compared to a Corolla, Civic, etc, plenty of people will feel this car is hot.
Your semi-cheesy comment is just that; cheesy. Every manufacturer has a premium line and a line that is more economical for the masses. Lexus has Toyota, Acura has Honda, Infiniti has Nissan, etc. From your perspective, I guess that makes Honda, Toyota, Mazda, Kia, Nissan, etc all cheesy brands. I guess if you have the money to always buy premium brands, good for you. But volume is what keeps manufacturers rolling; as does the average income, hard working family.
Ah! Finally an actual response! Gave you a thumbs up for simply doing so. Here we go —
“Your definition of the word “hot” is likely completely different from the average person who buys a car in this class.”
Distortion. The article did not ask if this car was hot for it’s class. It simply asked: hot or not? My definition of ‘hot’ is what everyone’s definition of hot is: does this car remind you a little of Sofia Vergara? Answer: no.
But then I explained it has nothing to do with the car as much as the class. Yes, sporty cars (Camero, Vette, etc.) are hot. They are meant to be sexy. Hot = sexy. These type of sedans are not meant to be sexy. So my rejection of the question as poorly worded stands.
Then you distort again —
“From your perspective, I guess that makes Honda, Toyota, Mazda, Kia, Nissan, etc all cheesy brands.”
You guess is right. Because you’re not even close. Lexus, Acura, Infiniti, Mercedes, and almost all their brethren bore me silly. I think cars should be priced reasonably.
What’s irking you is the idea that I dare suggest Chevy itself is cheesy in anyway. That’s kinda fanboyish to me, but hey, we all dig certain brands and take umbrage to slurs against our brands. But here’s why I call Chevy cheesy without quotes: Chevy, Ford, and Chrysler haven’t cracked Consumers Reports top ten in ages.
Many of us have been in Japanese cars for decades. When we go to rent a car we hope to get a Japanese one (because they are more reliable) and gringe when we get stuck with some fleet American car. Some of these cars are worse than cheesy.
Chevy is stuck in this world of ‘tsk tsk’ and that has nothing to do with my opinion. If you can get a Honda or Toyota, why get a Chevy? That’s the conversation GM must change. And there ‘That’s a Buick?!?’ ad campaign admits the problem. Which is a good thing. Takes times to re-introduce a brand.
You’re conversing with someone who was willing to look past Japanese this time round by buying a Buick. Buick has entered the top ten of Consumer Reports. I’m actually becoming a fanboy of Buick. A fanbuick, if you will.
Speaking of cheesy, please note what I said, “That said: this Cruze doesn’t look as ‘cheesy’ or ‘basic’ as its predecessor. It’s refined enough to force the Verano to up it’s game… which is a compliment.” One my side of the planet that’s considered a compliment — to suggest you could skip the Buick and get this.
Somehow from that you got this, “I guess if you have the money to always buy premium brands, good for you.” Not even a rational response to what I was saying.
Consumer reports top 10 for 2015: Chevrolet Impala
Consumer Reports top 10 for 2014: Chevrolet Impala, Chevrolet Corvette
The Traverse is also their best rated large SUV.
That seem pretty recent to me. Or did those conveniently slip your mind?
Now, take consumers reports with a huge grain of salt because they were also the ones who highly recommended the Mazda Tribute in its days but slashed the Ford Escape, which were 98% the exact same vehicle.
GM has won more classes in JDPower’s 3 yr old vehicle reliability ratings than any other manufacturer for the last 3 yrs running. They also win more initial quality awards but the 3 yr old awards are more relevant.
“Doesn’t say hot for its class”: semantics really. Pretty cheesy wording you are defending your comment on. Your definition of hot is exactly the same as everyone else’s? Now that’s retarded (and pretty funny).
If you want to call me a fanboy just because I have a different opinion than you, go ahead (pretty narrow minded). Sounds like you are a “anything import” fanboy.
Thumbs up or down should tell you how exactly the same your definition of “hot” is with everyone else’s.
(………………….. and here comes the cheesy rebuttal)
Don’t be surprised by a rebuttal. You’ve been talking out of yours all along.
When discussing individual Chevies entering top ten lists, you then said —
“That seem pretty recent to me. Or did those conveniently slip your mind?”
Chevies that won best of categories aren’t what I was discussing. I’m talking over all brand quality.
Buick is the first American car company to crack Consumer Reports top ten BRANDS in years. Read and fail again to catch a clue —
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/us-automaker-finally-cracks-top-10-in-consumer-reports-ranking/
From the article — “”For years, domestic auto makers built lower-priced and lower-quality alternatives* to imports, but those days are behind us,” said Jake Fisher, director of automotive testing at Consumer Reports. “Today many domestic models can go toe-to-toe with the best imports.”
* lower quality alternatives = cheesy
Wow, put down the keyboard, losen your collar and push away from the desk……. it would be a shame to ruin a computer when you pop.
You stated Chevy hasn’t cracked the top ten, you never mentioned as a brand. Now that someone has called you on it you conveniently add “I talking……”
Nice try. If you don’t want to be called out or have your opinion questioned, get off the site.
“Nice try.”
You’re trying to hide the fact that Chevy hasn’t cracked the top ten of Consumer Report brands. You’re trying to pretend that Ford/Chrysler/Chevy aren’t “lower-quality alternatives* to imports”. You’re trying to pretend I haven’t stated several times that this model is an improvement over the previous model.
If it was walks like a fanboy, balks like fanboy…
I’m not trying to hide anything. What I am saying is that the new models GM has brought out since 2012 have had very good reliability. The carry over models from previous designs have had issues. But you seem to like living in the past (probably trying to relive your youth).
“Nevertheless, since I began writing about cars more than four decades ago, I came to learn that CR, despite its stock-in-trade of pretended objectivity, is subject – perhaps unknowingly – to distortions in two of its key features, new car ratings and reports of “reliability” which are used as fodder for both new and used-car ratings.”
This is from a major automotive journalist and a statement that sums up Consumer Reports rankings as far as the rest of the automotive world views CR.
JDPowers, who actually does thousands of surveys to actual owners is a much more reliable source for reliability ratings for automobiles. And GM has won more categories than any other brand in each of the last 3 yrs for 3 yr old vehicle reliability, including many Chevy vehicles like the Silverado, Camaro, Malibu, and the Equinox twin Terrain.
So how does that relate to “lower quality alternatives to imports”?
You appear to be living in the past. I suggest you drop the hate and step into the 2015 marketplace.
I will stop discussing with you as the old saying goes……
“Never argue with an idiot; they drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience!!”
As they say down south.
Well Bless your heart!
Come back when you have a clue. Chevy is a value volume brand just as Ford, Honda and Toyota. While being value it does not mean crap cars. GM offers Buick which for now is bases on the same platforms but yet offers many things at a slightly higher price just as Acura and Lexus. Ford is trying to make the Platinum models pick up the slack for a failed Mercury.
The bottom line is you get what you pay for and not everyone can afford a $42K Regal AWD GS but a FWD LT Malibu is just fine.
The mid price cars are there for people who can not afford the higher priced models. While they still have quality interiors and the same engines they may lack a little insulation, AWD and magnetic struts that are not offered on the Honda and Toyota either and only on the more expensive Fords.
The whole point for this segment is a lot of car for the money hence the value segment. If you want more you just have to pay for it.
The bottom line is this car will sell well and make a good profit for GM just as the last model did. In fact I would say the number may be much better than the last one. Time will prove this out so stay tuned.
Thanks for stepping up to the plate. Gave you a thumbs up.
“Chevy is a value volume brand just as Ford, Honda and Toyota.”
No kidding. Really? I never heard that. So informative. :sarcasm:
“While being value it does not mean crap cars.”
Another fanboy. Consumer Reports repeats, “For years, domestic auto makers built lower-priced and lower-quality alternatives to imports.”
“and not everyone can afford a $42K Regal AWD GS but a FWD LT Malibu is just fine.”
I bought a $21.7K Encore Base. Cheaper than the priciest Trax. Would you imbeciles stop labeling me a %1er please.
“The whole point for this segment is a lot of car for the money hence the value segment.”
Why do you keep lecturing me on why it’s okay for American carmakers to make subpar cars because of price segment? Honda, Nissan, Toyota all offer better cars in the same price segment. How many different ways can this be said?
What you’re missing here is I’m routing for this Cruze to break that tradition. It being a big seller is a good thing. It being recommend as reliable is better. Right now Consumer Reports rates the previous model with weak reliability and weak owner satisfaction. The people in this thread seem way more happy with the Cruze than the owners.
THAT IS WHY THE CHEESY WORD APPLIES. Get off your fanboy horses and realize those numbers have to improve. The look of this car has. I’ve stated that 20 times at this point. Now it has to actually become reliable.
OK, let’s try this another way.
Here’s JDPower’s rankings for Quality. I will use the mid-size sedan example. Rankings are out of 5.
Accord 2015 – 3, 2014 – 3, 2013 -3
Camry 2015 – 4, 2014 – 4, 2013 – 5 (award)
Sonata 2015 – 3, 2014 – 4, 2013 – 4
Altima 2015 – 3, 2014 – 3, 2013 -2
MALIBU 2015 – 5 (award), 2014 – 5 (award), 2013 – 4 –TOP MIDSIZE OVER LAST 3 YRS
I know you are trying to say you want Chevrolet to get better, and you hope new Cruze “breaks that tradition”, but to say Chevrolet is a cheaper quality car across the board in today’s marketplace is a pretty broad assumption, which the above numbers say is wrong.
Each brand has strong models and models that can improve. Honda’s Civic has great ratings but the Accord can improve. Toyota has improved the 2015 Corolla ratings over previous but the Camry can still improve. NIssan, well let’s not go there for Nissan’s sake. When a manufacturer has as many models as Chevrolet, it takes spreading model updates across the board over a few years and we are now seeing Chevrolet winning categories for quality and reliability with 2012 and newer models.
“Fanboy” What is that supposed to be anyway? It seems derogatory somehow, and meant to demean someone just because they may like a certain style, or brand of vehicle. Frankly, it sounds stupid, and childish. What term do you use to refer to the opposite of a “fanboy”, say someone like yourself?
What you are speaking to is Sloan’s ladder. The purpose of GM’s scheme was to keep Chevrolet basic which became problem when imports arrived.
This Cruze does look like the Chinese 2016 Buick Verano in that they share an almost identical green house.
This Cruze reminds me very much of the 1980s Grand Am in that it’s athletic, slick with an upmarket look.
I’ll wait for the Hatchback version slated to be released later in 2016. 😀
The car is hot and the interior looks refined for the segment and better than its predecessor, and hope to see more engines under its hood.
It may resemble a Civic but truth be told it is based off of the Tru 140s concept.
Has potential to be a hot hatch. To disagree with the guy above, I like the brash look at me colors because you’d only buy a hot hatch with loud colors in the US because you couldn’t afford a muscle car or wanted something more daily driver oriented than a rear wheel drive and you’re not gonna get the attention of anyone in the US without a crazy color. My opinion though. There are still some of us who like many types of cars.
It bears an uncanny resemblance to the Chrysler 200. Pull up pics of both and see. Nice car but not standing out from the crowd in the way a mid 60’s Malibu did.
john if you have spent any time here you would understand the term hot here means competitive. In this case this car should prove very competitive with better MPG, Less weight by a lot, better performance and more utility with a larger interior. These are all key points that this car addresses.
The past car sold well and this one is very improved. As for Cheesy that is all subjective and only measure buy our own standards. What you find cheesy more find appealing.
At this point there is nothing to argue about here as the market will prove GM right or not. I predict with proper marketing this car will be in the top 2-3 in sales in the states in 2 years. This is a very tough segment and this is the kind of car that can gain market share very easy as it holds the things the customers in this segment are looking for. It will only build on the past model.
Note the refinement of this car will be stellar. They took the extra time to get it right and properly fund it. That really makes a difference and you do not end up with a car that some would say have a cheesy interior.
I’ve been watching the video footage of it and have to say that movement really helps show off the lines and curves/angles in much better fashion. This is a very good looking car both in and out. 2 thumbs up to Chevy. I vote goes to the Hot Major improvement over the old car.
Overall, I think Chevy has a winner here. The weight savings and interior design are this car’s greatest features. The exterior design does appear to fall in line with the competition; I can see quite a bit of design cues reminiscent of several models currently on the market. But overall, Chevy designers did a great job of integrating their own design cues (namely the handsome Impala and even a bit of Stingray) into the product quite well.
Well done GM!
I really like it. Hope GM reads this comment…. You have designed an excellent car. Please consider putting a optional motor in it say with 200HP and a manual transmission and call it a SS Cruze. I’m not going to lie, I wanted to get the last gen cruze but you didn’t offer a performance model or a Manual Transmission on LTZ models. I have guilt buying a Honda Civic SI Sedan, but I wanted a fun car to drive and some power to boot. There is a market for performance models in this segment I promise you that. My generation is not as concerned with fuel economy rather something fun to drive. Boy do I miss the days of the Cobalt SS/ HHR SS Turbo/Supercharged. Can’t figure out why GM is not coming up with those models like Ford RS or the Civic SI and Type R. Just wanted to put my two cent’s in and hope some sport compact enthusiast’s agree.
The designers of the current Cruze have gone the way of the current Civic , Elantra etc , with a more swept back windshield for 2016 .This has lowered the roof an inch which means the headroom is shy an inch or GM lowers the seats an inch . Like the other manufacturers who followed the Honda Civic with this hot ? design , this makes for a more confining cabin . Now , the 2016 Civic will see it get a more vertical windhield which opens things up again and will , I estimate , make this vehicle that much more a winner . So I guess Cruze and Elantra , etc , will get to play follow the leader again , perhaps ??
We dont want to buy looks alone. We want quality durability and reliability.
If GM gives me a free car for every crap box they sold me over the years, I could possibly have an objective point of view.
I have been driving an import for the last 5 years let me just tell you it surpasses all my expectations following my experience with GM cars all my life.
I wish all the prospective buyers of this car all the best of luck but I wouldnt try another GM car for as long as I shall live. Enough is enough
I couldn’t take the poll because I’ve never driven an old Cruze but, the the 2016 LT that I drove for 3 days was crap. My personal car and daily driver is a 2014 Honda Civic, and in every way it outshines the Cruze. The stop/start feature ruined what might have been a decent commuter car. It stalled, it rolled backwards on hills, it ran rough, had significant road noise and significantly no power, this with only 2800 miles on the clock. Combined with that, the design was poor and badly executed with a foot operated parking brake, no inside gas cap release, a driver’s seat that felt like sitting on bricks, screwy power windows and a manual adjust for the outside mirrors. The radio didn’t turn off unless I opened the door before turning off the car. I hated driving it and dreaded getting behind the wheel. I’m sure the reliability is going to suck. Give me anything else, but I will never choose GM for a new car purchase and if offered a Cruze again at the rental counter, I’ll go elsewhere or use public transportation.