2012 Chevrolet Cruze

Chevrolet develops a top contender in the small cars battle

For the 2012 model year, Chevrolet decided to bring back the Chevy Cruze and we gotta give it to them, they rocked it. With their great design and features, the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze just commandeered the top of the list of our small car shopping list.

Trims and Options

The 2012 Chevrolet Cruze comes in four main trim levels: LS, Eco, LT and LTZ.

The LS trim equips the Cruze with 16-inch steel wheels, power accessories, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a manual six-way adjustable driver seat, a trip computer, OnStar and a six-speaker stereo equipped with a CD/MP3 player, satellite radio and an auxiliary audio jack to plug in your I-pod, MP3 player, etc. Optional with this trim is a Connectivity package which adds a USB port, Bluetooth and steering-wheel-mounted audio controls to the Cruze.

The Eco trim is very similar to the LS but it is designed to provide your Cruze maximum fuel efficiency. The Eco trim is lighter and gives the Cruze some aerodynamic improvements. The Eco trim also adds a smaller fuel tank, lighter alloy wheels and low-rolling-resistance tires.

The LT trim actually has two sublet trims: 1LT and 2LT subsets.

The 1LT brings with it: a turbocharged engine, a leather wrapper steering wheel, cruise control, color-keyed power outside mirrors and a Connectivity package. The 2LT adds 16-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, a sports suspension, remote vehicle start, four-wheel disc brakes, leather interior, heated front seats and a six-way power driver seat.

The Cruze LTZ takes it one step further by adding 18-inch alloy wheels, keyless ignition, keyless entry, automatic climate control, rear park assist and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. It also brings its own interior trim which adds a touch of luxury to the Cruze.

The good news to Cruze owners is that many of the standard features found in the upper trim levels can be added to lower trims as options. Some options for the upper trims include a sun roof, a hard-drive-based navigation system and a nine-speaker Pioneer premium sound system. Another optional package for the upper trims is the RS appearance package which adds a unique front/rear fascias, fog lights and a rear spoiler to your Cruze.

Interior and Special Features

The 2012 Chevy Cruze is equipped with a "twin cockpit" interior design and has a two-tone color scheme that gives it a classy look. The controls are also very straight forward and easy to use.

The only flaw on the Cruze's interior is that the front seats are a little narrow, which might be an issue for huskier drivers. To combat this, Chevy designed the seats to offer plenty of adjustment options in order to make it more supportive and comfortable. One great feature of the Chevy Cruze is its large trunk which measures 15.4 cubic feet, way above average for small cars.

Under the Hood

The 2012 Chevrolet Cruze LS is standard equipped with a 1.8-liter inline-4 engine that produces 136 hp and 123 pounds-feet of torque. The Eco, LT and LTZ get a turbocharged version of the 1.4-liter inline-4 engine, thus generating 138 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque.

The LS, LT and Eco trims are paired up with a standard six-speed manual transmission, with the option to switch to a six-speed automatic. The LTZ trim comes standard with the automatic transmission.

The Cruze LS has an estimated EPA fuel economy of 25 mpg city/36 mpg highway and 29 mpg combined with the manual transmission and 22/35/27 mpg with the automatic. The trims that come with the turbocharged engine (LT and LTZ) receive 26/38/30 mpg estimates with either transmission.

The fuel-economy-focused Cruze Eco earns an incredible 28 mpg city/42 mpg highway and 33 mpg combined  when equipped with the manual transmission and 26/39/31 with the automatic.

Safety

Every 2012 Chevrolet Cruze model is equipped standard with front and rear side impact airbags, stability control, full length side curtain airbags, antilock brakes, and front knee airbags. The 2LT and LTZ four-wheel disc brakes, while the other trims have a front-disc/rear-drum brake setup.

Driving Impressions

One of the best parts of driving the Chevrolet Cruze is that it combines a sporty drive with a comfortable, smooth ride. The standard suspension rides smoothly and quietly and the sport suspension from 2LT and LTZ trims offers a firm ride without harshness.

Verdict

Take one look at the 2012 Chevy Cruze and you will see that it exudes quality. It has a beautiful outside design and an upscale interior. It is also has a great array of optional packages.

Like what you read? Follow us on Twitter at @jerryschevybalt and like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/jerryschevrolet.

Want to check out your own 2012 Chevrolet Cruze? Go to: http://www.jerryschevrolet.com/Inventory/view/Model/Cruze/New/