Interesting scenario. I see that the biggest challenge would be getting your hands the actual navigation hardware from the 2012 Cruze. How are you planning on doing that?
Once you have it, swapping the screen would require taking out the monochrome unit and replacing it with the new color one. This is possible — the connecters are all the same for audio (voice guidance) and power — I’ve learned this by taking out mine as well as my friend’s 2011 with navigation. The most difficult part would be replacing your current “center button” (play/pause) with the up/down/left/right buttons from the navigation.
My advice? Once you have the 2012 hardware, take it over to a Chevy store and talk to one of the techs about it. Don’t do it “officially” — just get to know one of the techs personally… buy them lunch or give them concert tickets or something. Then have them swap it during their time off (like on a weekend). Otherwise, the dealer will charge you an arm and a leg.
Oh, and one more thing to consider: you’ll definitely be voiding the warranty… which is silly, considering you’re swapping one GM unit for another.
Let us know how it goes!
