Cruze targets small car stalwarts

Holden has launched its new small sedan, the Cruze, with premium specification, aggressive comparisons and budget pricing that targets bread-and-butter small cars from all the major marques.

Arriving Down Under in Holden dealers next month, the Cruze will go on sale with a high level of standard equipment plus five-star ANCAP rating, six airbags and stability control across the range from $20,990. That pricetag will buy you the entry-level 1.8-litre five-speed manual Cruze CD -- an extra $2000 delivers the six-speed automatic version.

The aggressive launch price announced today is an indicator of how serious Holden is about establishing the Cruze nameplate Down Under. Forget the 'old' Cruze -- a Suzuki-based mini softroader -- this is a whole new ball game.

Though the new Cruze, a four-door sedan, will be fully imported from South Korea, Holden is banking on creating demand for a locally produced model. Not withstanding GM's global woes, it's this v2.0 South Australian-built car, in part made possible thanks to Green Car Innovation Fund monies, that will play a key role in cementing Holden's local future.

Speculation is mounting Holden's homegrown Cruze will be a hatchback version and will be sold alongside the first-to-market sedan. We'll have to wait until next year to find out for sure.

In the meantime, whetting Australia's appetite for the new small car, and giving Holden a segment competitive package, the fully-imported Cruze will be offered in two grades and both petrol and turbodiesel versions.

As noted above, the manual petrol CD starts the model walk at $20,990 for the manual version. Powered by a 104kW/176Nm 1.8-litre fuel-injected four, the petrol CD promises combined fuel economy of 7.0L/100km in manual form and 7.5L/100km for the six-speed auto.

A 110kW/320Nm 2.0-litre common rail turbodiesel Cruze will be offered, also in the CD level of trim, in both manual and auto versions. Combined fuel economy stats for the oiler are 5.7L/100km in manual form and 6.8L/100km for the six-speed auto.

You'll pay for this frugality (and turbodiesel torque -- Holden claims 90 per cent is available from 1750-3500rpm), however; the Euro 4-compliant turbodiesel Cruze is priced from $23,990 for the manual variant. Again auto is offered for another $2000.

In addition to the abovementioned safety equipment, the specs list for the Cruze CD models (turbodiesel and petrol) reads like a premium small car from just a few years ago. Standard is a six-speaker in-dash MP3-friendly CD/audio system, auto headlights, multi-function wheel with cruise and audio controls, power windows front and rear, trip computer and cruise control. Body coloured door hardware and mirrors help reinforce the premium feel, as does a flip-style ignition key.

Though the CD models roll on 16-inch steel wheels, expect alloys to be a cost-competitive option. Other add-ons will include Bluetooth phone kits, tow bars, headlight covers and the like.

The top-of-the-range Cruze CDX model will be offered in 1.8-litre petrol versions only. Priced identically to the turbodiesel CD models, the CDX gets 17-inch alloys, extra chrome, fog lamps and rear park sensors as standard.

Inside heated "leather-appointed" front seats are featured as well as "sports accents". Claimed economy figures are identical to the petrol CD models.

Holden claims the Cruze delivers front and rear leg and headroom that "are at or near the top of its [Cruze's] competitive set". It says the car offers clever in-car storage solutions and the boot's capacity is a serious 400 litres. Of particular note is the size of the load-through port between boot and cabin. With 60:40 splitfolds standard this will be a plus for many buyers.

Holden has been gung-ho on its comparisons between Cruze and its "competitive set". Although the company says it's eager to take on both Lancer and Focus, it's specifically targeted Toyota and Mazda with two 'published' comparisons.

Based on "current RRP" Holden says the six-speed auto petrol Cruze CD is $750 cheaper than Corolla Ascent "yet delivers an array of standard features over the automatic Ascent including ESC [stability control], front side and curtain airbags, rear power windows and cruise control".

Compared to the latest Mazda 3 Neo, Holden claims Cruze CD auto is "$1060 less expensive at RRP" but includes "front side and curtain airbags, cruise control, steering wheel audio controls and automatic headlights which are not found standard on the base model Mazda 3".

Holden claims the "story becomes even better for small car buyers when comparing the higher spec [Cruze] CDX model".

With the Cruze not due in Holden dealers until next month, expect some aggressive counter claims in the interim from the named brands!

The Carsales Network drove the new Cruze today in both petrol and turbodiesel variants (manual and auto) and can attest to the general quality and demeanour of the new offering. Spacious in segment terms, the car is also quiet and, in turbodiesel form especially, a reasonable spirited performer. If there's a slight chink in the armor at first impression, it's the petrol engine which perhaps doesn't quite have the polish of the rest of the package.

Noise levels are very low -- especially wind noise -- and all four of the early-build cars we drove were well put together. On the road the driver's rewarded with better than class average dynamics with well weighted, communicative steering and enough eagerness in the bends to satisfy most.

Of as much interest to many prospective customers, the Cruze looks good on the road. It has a planted, wheel-at-each-corner stance and good proportions. Though only the grille has been changed in the stying transformation from Euro-market Chevrolet Cruze to local Holden hero, the basic design DNA works well alongside Holden's locally produced stalwart, Commodore.

Look out for more news on the new Cruze and our launch review soon.

Holden Cruze Price List (RRP)
CD 1.8-litre petrol man $20,990
CD 1.8-litre petrol auto $22,990
CD 2.0-litre turbodiesel man $23,990
CD 2.0-litre turbodiesel auto $25,990
CDX 1.8-litre petrol man $23,990
CDX 1.8-litre petrol auto $25,990

Fuel economy (combined) and CO2 emissions
Petrol 1.8-litre man: 7.0L/100km, 166g/km
Petrol 1.8-litre auto: 7.5L/100km, 179g/km
Turbodiesel 2.0-litre man: 5.7L/100km, 149g/km
Turbodiesel 2.0-litre auto: 6.8L/100km, 180g/km

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