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It took a global recession, GMs bankruptcy, and the mass consumer abandonment of large sport-utilities, but Chevrolet has finally built a great small car. I recently stepped aboard a 2011 Chevrolet Cruze in fuel saving Eco trim. Priced at $18,895, the Cruze Eco features mpg-minded extras like ultra-low-rolling-resistance tires and wind cheating body trim. Its not going to out-tech a Prius hybrid, though you cant argue with an estimated 40 mpg average during highway driving. In fact, its long drives that bring out the best in the Cruze. The 138-bhp 1. 4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine is very quiet, while the ride remained steady and comfortable even on the rutted (and snow-covered) roads of New York City. I was hesitant about the 6-speed manual transmission fitted to my test car. Sure, Chevy might have gotten a lot right with the Cruze…but the transmission was bound to feel like stirring gruel with a wooden spoon, right? Surprisingly not! The clutch is easy to modulate and the shift action is largely positive, even if the overwhelming sensation is of chunky plastic meeting solid rubber. A six-speed automatic is a $925 option. The electric steering has come in for some criticism for being twitchy, though I found it to be pleasant and accurate when dicing with traffic on the New Jersey Turnpike. There is room for five adults and the layout of the dash is logical, with all controls intelligently placed. The trunk, while mostly unused during my weekend with the car, offers a handy 15. 4 cu. ft. of room. That should be more than enough for hauling friends and family to and from JFK airport, without having such an excess of room that theyll think they can stay more than a week. And while the exterior doesnt push any design barriers, the Cruze came in for near universal praise, with several friends calling it cute and really good looking.
