2011 Chevrolet Cruze Redefines Compact Segment Value

More Standard Comfort and Safety Features, Better Fuel Economy

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Aug 31, 2010, 02:20 ET

DETROIT, Aug. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- When the first 2011 Chevrolet Cruze sedans arrive at U.S. dealerships in September, they will offer consumers more for their money, with class-leading standard safety features, expected class-leading fuel economy, and more standard equipment than competitive vehicles.

"We set out to redefine the compact segment by offering customers more of the features they want for less money than comparably equipped competitive models," said Margaret Brooks, Chevrolet Small Car marketing director. "The Cruze offers significantly more value than the competition – and the vehicle it replaces -- with standard equipment that is appreciated by today's consumers."

For example, the Cruze LS offers an estimated $1,700 more value than a 2010 Honda Civic DX. With a starting price of $16,995 including destination, the Cruze LS is $590 more than a base Civic. But when consumers look closer, they will find that Cruze has about $2,700 worth of additional equipment, including:

Air conditioning
Power locks with remote keyless entry
OnStar with Turn-by-Turn Navigation
XM Radio, with three-month trial subscription
AM/FM Single-CD radio
StabiliTrak and traction control
6-speaker stereo system
Rear side impact and knee airbags
Passenger seat height adjustment
60/40 split folding rear seat

Cruze LS is also a compelling value compared to the 2011 Ford Focus S. Not only is the Cruze LS base price $388 below the base Focus, it also offers $1,000 worth of additional equipment for a value advantage of about $1400:

Power windows
OnStar with Turn-by-Turn Navigation
XM Radio with three-month trial subscription
Telescoping steering wheel
6-speaker stereo system
Rear side impact and knee airbags
Passenger seat height adjustment
60/40 split folding rear seat

Cruze LS offers more value than a 2010 Toyota Corolla. While the Cruze LS starting price is $785 more than a base Corolla, it offers $1,400 worth of additional equipment, including:

Power locks with remote keyless entry
Power windows
OnStar with Turn-by-Turn Navigation
XM Radio with three-month trial subscription
Telescoping steering wheel
6 speaker stereo system
Rear side impact & knee airbags
Passenger seat height adjustment

The Cruze even offers $1,400 more value than the smaller, less expensive Chevrolet Cobalt sedan it replaces. While the starting price of the Cruze LS is $1,285 more than the base 2010 Cobalt VL, it offers significantly more standard equipment which is worth about $2,700, including:

Air conditioning
Power locks with remote keyless entry
Power windows
Anti-lock brakes
StabiliTrak and traction control
Telescoping steering wheel
Turn-by-Turn Navigation
Driver side impact airbags
Rear side impact & knee airbags

Cruze also will save customers money at the pump, with highway fuel economy ranging from 35 to an expected 40 miles per gallon.

Cruze LS models feature a 1.8L Ecotec engine, rated at 138 horsepower (103 kW) and 123 lb.-ft. of torque (168 Nm) at 3,800 rpm. With the standard six-speed manual transmission, the 1.8L will deliver an EPA-estimated 26 miles per gallon city, and 36 mpg highway. With the available six-speed automatic, the 1.8L will deliver an EPA-estimated 22 mpg city, and 35 mpg highway.

Cruze LT and LTZ models feature a the 1.4L Ecotec turbocharged engine that delivers Ecotec 1.4L turbo, delivering 138 horsepower (103 kW) and 148 lb.-ft. of torque (200 Nm) between 1,850 rpm and 4,900 rpm. Paired with a standard six-speed automatic, the engine delivers an EPA-estimated 24 mpg city, and 36 mpg highway.

The Cruze Eco model, which goes on sale later this year, will be the most efficient model of the lineup. Eco models will feature the 1.4L turbo and a standard six-speed manual transmission. Combined with enhanced aerodynamics, weight optimization, and reduced rolling resistance, the Cruze Eco is expected to deliver a class-leading 40 miles per gallon on the highway.

Cruze Fast Facts:

Global sales:

Calendar year to date, consumers have purchased more than 165,000 Cruze models globally. As a result, Cruze is the top selling Chevrolet car in the world and second only to the Silverado for all Chevrolet vehicles – even before sales begin in the U.S.
More than 330,000 Chevrolet Cruze models have been sold since its introduction in Europe in spring of 2009. Including Daewoo and Holden variants, more than 392,000 vehicles have been sold since it was originally introduced in late 2008.

Safety:

In the U.S., Cruze will offer more class-leading standard safety features, including 10 air bags, StabiliTrak electronic stability control with rollover sensing, traction control, anti-lock brakes, collapsible pedal system, and OnStar with Automatic Crash Response.
Cruze is the first passenger car to receive the maximum scores in the European New Car Assessment Program tests since the organization began providing crash test ratings in 1997. The Cruze received a maximum 16 points in the frontal offset collision test and a maximum eight points in the side-impact crash test against a moving deformable barrier.

About Chevrolet

Chevrolet is a global automotive brand, with annual sales of about 3.5 million vehicles in more than 130 countries. Chevrolet provides consumers with fuel-efficient, safe and reliable vehicles that deliver high quality, expressive design, spirited performance and value. In the U.S., the Chevrolet portfolio includes: iconic performance cars, such as Corvette and Camaro; dependable, long lasting pickups and SUVs, such as Silverado and Suburban; and award-winning passenger cars and crossovers, such as Malibu, Equinox and Traverse. Chevrolet also offers "gas-friendly" solutions, such as the upcoming 2011 Chevrolet Cruze Eco model that is expected to deliver up to an estimated 40 mpg highway, and 2011 Chevrolet Volt that will offer up to 40 miles of electric driving and an additional 300 miles of extended range with the onboard generator (based on GM testing). Most new Chevrolet models offer OnStar safety, security, and convenience technologies including OnStar Hands-Free Calling, Automatic Crash Response, and Stolen Vehicle Slowdown. More information regarding Chevrolet models, fuel solutions, and OnStar availability can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

SOURCE General Motors