Chevy’s new Cruze is a big car. Well, it’s actually a mid-sized sedan if you’re talking pure dimensions. But it’s a big car for the company. Huge, in fact.

It’s really the first time the bowtie badge is playing in this space, at least for many years. They entered the country in 2004 with little, very cost-effective offerings like the Spark, which continues to sell very well. But this hotly-contested segment is heavily traded by the biggest names, and Cruze enters this competitive market with an eye towards capturing a fair slice of this significant pie.

I like the bold, butch styling of the thing. Have done since I first saw the early demonstrators which have been parked at GM HQ for a good few months already (and already tested in leading SA car mags), and even though the engine range being released today aren’t the most enthralling, I was looking forward to sampling this important model.

It’s well-specced too, for the price, with the range-topping 1.8-litre petrol motor (104kW) mated to a slow-witted 6-speed autobox in the LT including everything bar the sunroof in the circa R240K list price. At the other end of the price spectrum, the base 1.6-litre L will sell for R170K, but does without the leather upholstery, climate control, auto lights and wipers, dual-zone climate control and rear park assist of the LT.

It does drive better with the five-speed manual box though. Hopefully they’ll add a manual version of the LT-spec, the only manual 1.8 at the moment being the LS which again lacks these high-end specs.

All models do drive very well however. Very refined overall, although the Ecotec motors familiar to Astra owners do get a touch thrashy at high revs, and the steering is over light for my tastes but will suit most commuters perfectly well. The interior is very spacious – I actually have to crank the drivers’ seat forward a bit to get good leverage on the wheel and I’m nearly 7” tall!

For a full driving impression and to see the Cruze lined up against its competition, see next months issue of Drive Magazine.

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