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17/06/2011
REVIEW by EWAN KENNEDY
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Holden Cruze Series II is spot on in its launch timing. This Australian-built four-cylinder car will appeal to those who are aware of changes we are probably making to the climate and are looking to smaller, more economical cars, but refuse to give up space and comfort while doing so. This thought came to us several times during the week’s review we have just completed on the Cruze. Not just because of the potential fuel and emission savings it provides, but also because the Holden Cruze is thoroughly enjoyable to drive.
Holden Cruze was previously imported from Daewoo in South Korea, but is now being built in Holden’s Adelaide factory. This is far from being an assembly operation using imported parts. Many components are made in Australia, including major body parts and a lot of plastic items. Local content of the Cruze is already close to 50 per cent and Holden is working on ways of further localising production.
Holden engineers and stylists carried out a lot of design work on Cruze from its earliest days, with some of our guys spending months at a time living near the Daewoo centres in South Korea. This is very much a global car, so engineers from overseas Cruze design teams came to this country to witness Australian driving conditions and see what Aussie drivers liked from their cars.
Body changes to the Cruze to come up the Series II are relatively small. The front and rear styling has been modernised in appearance and, at the same time, have improved aerodynamics as part of the fuel reduction program.
At this stage only the four-door sedan variant of the Holden Cruze is being sold, a five-door hatchback is scheduled for later this year. Interestingly, the five-door is very much a product of Australian talent. Ours is a strong hatchback market in a world where most others seem to prefer four-door sedans.
Model choices are Cruze CD, Cruze CDX and a new sporty version tagged Holden Cruze SRi. The latter can be optioned up to a still higher level to Cruze SRi-V. Our review car was the Cruze, it comes with leather trim and quite a few other upmarket items.
Refinement in the Cruze is good, with a smooth, quiet ride on normal roads and is close to being as good as that of big brother Commodore. But the Cruze isn’t in the same class as the Commodore on harsh surfaces. There’s a fair bit of tyre noise and a definite deterioration in ride quality on corrugated dirt roads.
Handling is precise, with good turn in and plenty of road grip and the ability to change direction without fuss if asked to do so part way through a corner. Cruze doesn’t have a left footrest for the driver, which doesn’t help in spirited driving and makes for an uncomfortable left ankle on long trips.
Interior space is good, with enough legroom for tall adults sitting behind front occupants of the same stature. The front seats are large and comfortable. Boot space is good, with depth being enhanced by the use of a space-saver spare wheel.
As is often the way in current model cars, the Holden Cruze has wide windscreen pillars that can create visibility problems at intersections and when driving on twisting country roads. While not as bad as the Commodore, we would like to see later models in the Cruze improved in this important aspect of safety.
Conventional-petrol, turbo-petrol and turbo-diesel engines are all offered in Holden Cruze Series II. Our review car had an uprated version of the 2.0-litre turbo-diesel that has been offered in the Cruze for the past two years and which has sold moderately well. Holden expects increases in sales volumes of the diesel in Cruze Series II
Diesel consumption is typically in the six to seven litres per hundred kilometres when Cruze is driven moderately in the country or on freeways. This will increase to eight to nine litres in traffic driving and even heavy-duty commuting is unlikely to push it over 10 litres per hundred kilometres.
Holden Commodore or Holden Cruze? The choice is yours, but we find ourselves leaning in the direction of the Cruze. It’s more favourably priced, starting at just $20,990 (plus on-roads) and even our upmarket diesel automatic has a recommended retail of only $30,490, has almost as much interior space and provides both comfort and handling.
AT A GLANCE
MODEL RANGE
CD 1.8-litre petrol four-door sedan: $20,990 (manual), $22,990 (automatic)
CD 1.4-litre petrol four-door sedan: $22,240 (manual), $24,240 (automatic)
CDX 1.8-litre petrol four-door sedan: $24,990 (manual), $26,990 (automatic)
SRi 1.4-litre turbo-petrol four-door sedan: $24,490 (manual), $26,490 (automatic)
SRi-V 1.4-litre turbo-petrol four-door sedan: $27,990 (manual), $29,990 (automatic)
CD 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four-door sedan: $24,990 (manual), $26,990 (automatic)
CDX 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four-door sedan: $28,490 (manual), $30,490 (automatic)
FEATURES
ABS Brakes: Standard in all models
Automatic Transmission: $2000 option in all models
Cruise Control: Standard in all models
Dual Front Airbags: Standard in all models
Front Side Airbags: Standard in all models
Electronic Stability Program: Standard in all models
Rear Parking Sensors: Standard in CDX & SRI-V, not offered in CD & SRI
Reversing Camera: Not offered
USB Audio Inputs: Standard in all models
Satellite Navigation: Standard in SRI-V, not offered in other models
Bluetooth: Not offered
Steering Wheel Mounted Controls: Standard in all models
SPECIFICATIONS (Holden Cruze CDX 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four-door sedan)
ENGINE:
Capacity: 1.991 litres
Configuration: Four cylinders in line
Head Design: SOHC, four valves per cylinder
Compression Ratio: 17.5:1
Bore/Stroke: 83.0 x 92.0 mm
Maximum Power: 110 kW @ 4000 rpm
Maximum Torque: 320 Nm @ 2000 rpm
DRIVELINE:
Driven Wheels: Front
Manual Transmission: Five-speed
Automatic Transmission: Six-speed
Final Drive Ratio: 3.251:1
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 4597 mm
Wheelbase: 2685 mm
Width: 1788 mm
Height: 1477 mm
Turning Circle: 10.9 metres
Kerb Mass: 1380 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 60 litres
Towing Ability: 750 kg (1200 kg with braked trailer)
SUSPENSION AND BRAKES:
Front Suspension: Independent, MacPherson struts
Rear Suspension: Compound crank axle
Front Brakes: Ventilated disc
Rear Brakes: Disc
FUEL CONSUMPTION:
Type: Diesel
Combined Cycle (ADR 81/02): 5.6 L/100km
GREEN VEHICLE GUIDE RATINGS:
Greenhouse Rating: 7.5/10
Air Pollution Rating: 5/10
STANDARD WARRANTY:
Three years/100,000km |
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