Auto Frenzy: 2017 Chevrolet Cruze

The new Cruze officially launched in Trinidad and Tobago on Saturday 8^th July, 2017 and it was indeed a well attended affair at both of its dealerships in North and South Trinidad. But for all those who missed the launch I took the liberty to review this new machine, so hopefully you guys get the motivation to check it out for yourselves…

The 2017 Cruze comes in a new variant than those offered in previous models, so Yes for all those hot hatch fans, the Cruze is now available in a four (4) door hatchback form. The Cruze is strategically slotted in the middle of Chevrolet’s vehicle line up i.e above the likes of the Spark but below the Malibu and Impala, both of which are not offered in the Trinidad.

The Cruze comes with a new engine and drive-train for 2017. It boasts a 1.4 Liter, 153 Horse Power Turbo charged engine with churns out 177 pound-feet of Torque which is mated to a 6 speed automatic or manual transmission, if your prefer the latter. The smaller turbo charged engine does great for fuel efficiency as the Cruze delivers 34 mpg rated for combined driving or 28 city and 39 Hwy.

In the features category, the new Cruze offers a multitude of goodies. Chevrolet Mylink which features a 7” touch screen with built in Apple Car-play and Android Auto comes standard throughout the Cruze trim levels. Usability and adaptability with the MyCheverolet mobile app allows the driver to start and stop the engine or lock and unlock doors, view diagnostic messages and set parking reminders for those tech savvy persons who choose to make use of these features. The Cruze takes the teenagers and young adults heavily into account by muting the audio system when front seat occupants are fastened in their seat belts and emitting audio and visual signals and notifications when the prescribed driving speeds/limits are not observed.

In the safety department the Cruze kicks it up a notch by offering a mind boggling 10 airbags as standard. Other safety features offered by the new Cruze includes, a rear-view camera, Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with traction control and rollover mitigation. On the higher trim levels additional safety features includes Rear Park Assist, Side Blind Zone Alert with Lane Change Alert, and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert. Forward Collision Alert, Lane Departure Warning with Lane Keep Assist.

All in all in a very competitive segment, it can be easily said that this is by far the best Chevrolet Cruze to date and particularly one of the best compact compact cars made and offered by Chevrolet. It is more through than its predecessor and it comes with class leading safety technology and new age features.

The 2017 Chevrolet Cruze can be viewed and test drive at Chevrolet Division of Lifestyle Motors located at Cipero Street, San Fernando and Barataria. The base Cruze starts at $189,950.00 TTD and increases based the trim level on your preference.

Additional photographs of the 2017 Cruze can be seen below: