So work decides to send me off on a training mission to Chicago. I hate flying and its a short drive so they let me get a rental car instead. (Will they let me drive one of the new Porsches? Of course not!
) Round trip from Detroit to Chicago. Road Test!
2016 new style Cruze. They built the "old style" (called Limited) this year too, just to confuse things. Why didn't they just call this one the 2017?
LT automatic w/1.4 turbo. Car had 225 miles when I picked it up, so its about as new as its getting.
Styling:
Outside
I like it over the previous model, which wasn't that bad for a econo sedan. The black paint left it looking a little drab. A bright blue one with RS appearance pkg would perk things up a bit. At least its not beige. A few chrome touches and 16" aluminum wheels get it above KIA level appliance territory though.
Inside
The car power windows, locks, mirrors, and keyless entry. Mirror switch switch is flat on the door facing to the right rather than facing back at you. Awkward to use, but once you've set them you never really it often again. Controls were clear, radio took some fiddling to figure out and I never found a CD slot. There was a USB and AUX port however. (I have a very hard time with tech made after 2000, so I'm not the best to judge these things.) Seats were firm and comfortable and the dash/cowl was surprisingly low. I could actually see out comfortably! Victory for us short people! Materials were nice for a low end car, not nearly as much hard plastic GM has been using in the past. The chrome around the vents, cluster, and shifter were a bit too much how ever. Often the sun would reflect off them in a very distracting manner. Had to shove a map over the shifter for awhile to keep from getting blinded. Other than not having a leather steering wheel, it had everything I wanted inside.
Chassis:
Rode smoothly without feeling too floaty. Big dips did ask for and extra moment to settle though. Pushed hard down a ramp it leaned predictably as the 205/55/16 Goodyears protested, the uprated suspension of the Premier PKG would help here and should be a independent option. But we're not planning to autocross this thing right? Brakes were firm and easy to modulate with enough pedal travel to not be rock hard. Smooth and fast, but not grabby like many new cars. Steering is electric, and a giant leap ahead of the Cobalt, which I believe was GMs first electric unit. Feel is a bit light, but consistent off center without any "on-off" assist feel from the motor. It's not a Lotus, but its not offensive either. (I've not driven a Gen 1 Cruze, so can't compare it here)
Engine
It feels willing, but is held back by (I assume) torque management and fuel economy tuning. Once in gear and wound up, it sprints off nicely with a bit of torque steer even. Its quiet and gets super gas mileage. 43mpg freeway at 80mph with the AC on. Once broken in and some effort applied to getting good mileage I'm sure 45 or better could happen.
Transmission
Ugh. Get a manual. Really, if there is any fun to be had with this car the trans kills it. Programmed solely for economy it upshifts quickly (though not always smoothly) and refuses to downshift unless you really kick it. Under moderate throttle it sometimes seems confused when shifting, giving a "freewheeling" feel of the motor revving but no power getting to the wheels. After awhile I learned to smoothly roll into the throttle with better results. Stopping at a light sometimes received clunky downshifts that you can see in the tach as it hits each gear. Pulling the shifter into low and using the +/- button for manual shifting didn't help much. There is not a "current" gear indicator in the cluster. Just "D" or "L1-6" showing the top gear you are allowing, not what you're currently in. The shifter itself does not line up with the PRNDL marks either. You have to watch the display on the console to see where you are. The display is in white and hard to read in direct sun. Found myself struggling a bit to find the right spot. Then again I haven't owned an automatic in 20 years... 
Odd bits:
The hood release can only be used with the door open, and must be pulled twice to pop the hood. (it is marked as such). There is not a second safety catch to open by hand, (I guess the lever is doing it) just lift the hood.
You must pull the driver door release twice to get out of the car if the door is locked. Why is there a lock knob sticking out of the top of the door panel? I though we did away with these in the 80's! Its right were I want to rest my arm, annoying...
Car has auto stop/start and I couldn't find a button to disable it. However, if you put the shifter in "L" and click the + to L6, you can drive normally without it stalling every light. (that's what I call it).
10' piece of lumber won't fit with the trunk closed. My Firebird can do it though, take that 'practical' sedan! 
Over all its a good quiet commuter that, with the right options, isn't a total penalty box. Its comfy, looks decent (Would be better with 2 doors) and isn't priced to the moon. This one is well under 20k sticker and has most everything. Some firmer dampers and a tune would surely unchain some of the engines potential and maybe help the trans. But you're reading this on the GRM site, so you'll buy a manual 
