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L.A. Auto Show 2009: Cruze-ing to the finish line

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Mathieu St-Pierre
The race has dramatically shifted directions in the last 30 years. Where large vehicles were the norm and desirable, those that offered such a product were certainly doing well. 20 years ago, the SUV was all the rage and once again, if you could satisfy the demand, you were sitting pretty. The last 10 years have ushered in a complete overhaul of ideals and environmental responsibilities. Today, small is big and frugal is king.


General Motors has long been able to meet the requirements of its demanding market, often times with mind-blowing success, other times, with very little. Although many of you may think that GM isn't big on small cars, remember that they long outsold just about every other manufacturer in the compact segment with their one-two punch; the Pontiac Sunfire and Chevrolet Cavalier. Granted, they were far from being the best offerings here but for the price, you'll be hard-pressed to find an owner that seriously regretted their purchase.

The duo sold very well from 1995 all the way to 2005 with minimal modifications. By 2005, the then new Chevy Cobalt and Pontiac Pursuit/G5 appeared, however they were not as welcomed by the masses as GM would have liked. Fast-forward to a few months from now and the Cruze will be the reigning queen of compacts in Chevrolet showrooms. "How's that?" you ask. Read on.

First impressions are important
Building a new car is a tough job; there is simply no margin for mistakes. This is especially true where sheetmetal hits the eyes; if it doesn't look good, it won't sell. I will award GM an "A" for effort for the Cruze. In fact, it gussies up enough German-American styling to hoist it amongst some of the prettiest faces in its segment. Its coupe-like profile blends nicely with the two-part grille, commonly used on Chevy's latest products.

Likewise, the car's cabin is a strong step-up from the outgoing Cobalt. The twin-pod cockpit layout is another feature that is making the rounds in the line-up, from the Malibu all the way up to the Corvette. Presentation-wise, the Cruze's dashboard has a real Opel and Vauxhall appeal to it. This will sit well with those looking for euro flair and something new that does not remind them of the GMs of old. That's as far as layout goes, unfortunately, the materials used are still average at best with some low-end plastics in certain areas. Thankfully, five adults can take place in the Cruze, and the trunk can swallow up to 450 litres of kit; in a value-oriented market, a small car that can easily double as a complete family car makes huge economical sense.

Mathieu St-Pierre
Mathieu St-Pierre
Automotive expert
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