Five model years ago, Chevrolet gave us its first relevant compact car since the Corvair (or perhaps since the Chevy II/Nova, if you're a Ralph Nader devotee). That makes the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze the brand's first relevant small car update since the 1965 Corvair (or, uh, '68 Nova).
The 2011 Cruze was the first compact Chevrolet we could credibly compare with the segment's standard-bearer, the Honda Civic, and up-and-coming rivals like the Hyundai Elantra. The Cruze's two most obvious shortcomings were a tight, poorly packaged back seat and too much weight for its size, but otherwise it was in the hunt. Chevrolet even offered a low-volume diesel engine option.
The new Cruze is a more credible competitor for the also new-for-2016 Honda Civic, which became best in class again after it took a retrograde step with the previous model. A sporty Cruze hatchback joins the lineup this fall, and a diesel with an all-new engine comes early in 2017. |
