2016 Chevrolet Cruz RS

Text and photos by Cor Steenstra

The Chevrolet Cruz in this 2016 guise is a very well balanced, homogeneous design. It features the latest iteration of the Chevrolet fascia, combining the double grille with much detail in the jewelry. On the sides it is relatively conservative, but well proportioned and solid, so nothing wrong either, and the rear is modern and dynamic. It can certainly hold it’s own against the likes of Hyundai and Kia, which is a pretty strong statement.

Since we recently experienced the Chevrolet Volt, of course I was tempted to compare the two, in design as well as in practical usage. The overall design of the Cruz is much stronger. I have the impression that the Volt is forced to look different for the sake of it, rather than having any specific need to do so.

As far as usability, I had no problem keeping this Cruz at an average fuel consumption in practice of well above the 35 mph. I know, I know.., the Volt can do 200 mph, but that is only if you travel less than 30 miles a day and can always recharge everywhere, which hardly anyone can, and which certainly doesn’t pay off as much as with someone who actually makes mileage, who would truly benefit from reduced fuel consumption. In that practical sense, the Volt, with all its high tech, with difficulty came to a similar fuel consumption, and at the extra price tag, I would never have expected that.

On the interior GM clearly uses the parts bin again, but it’s a good parts bin, and the design impression this creates stands out from the rest, and does clearly create a typical GM look. I don’t quite understand how a Buick interior design look can be similar to a Chevrolet one, an Opel one or a Cadillac one, since they are so clearly different market segments, but I am sure someone has the logic for this somewhere. At least they look good and they work.