The market for compact cars has been largely dominated by foreign vehicles in recent years. In some ways, this made sense as America known for its wide parking spaces, open roads, and rolling countryside had been making its name in large, SUV-type or truck-type vehicles. But that has changed. Chevrolet has entered the compact market with a bang, lighting up the competition with the 2012 Cruze, currently available at Gary Lang Chevrolet in McHenry. One test-drive will make it clear that this is one compact that manages to keep it competitive with all the economy and value that compact-car buyers are looking for.
Chevrolet Cruze Details
The 2012 Cruze's standard engine is a feisty four-cylinder that cranks out 136 horsepower from 1.8 liters. While standard transmission is a six-speed manual, this compact does offer a sporty six-speed automatic option, with speedy gear changes. There is also an optional turbocharged 1.4-liter 4-cylinder with 138 horsepower. The turbocharged Cruze's 0-60 time is 9.3 seconds, and despite this performance it still achieves an estimated 26 mpg in the city, and up to 38 mpg on the highway (depending on the transmission).
It's worth noting that the special Cruze Eco model can achieve 28 mpg city and an amazing 42 mpg on the highway with a manual transmission. This compact truly combines the best parts of compact economy with performance, and we're proud to be able to offer it here at Gary Lang Chevrolet. This car has plenty of electronics and trim packages available, which you can learn more about on our inventory page.
Chevrolet Cruze Safety and Special Features
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the 2012 Cruze has a rating of "Good" in terms of front- and side-impact testing. Additionally, it has a below-average stopping distance of 122 feet from 60 mph, which exceeds the average for this class of car. Other standard safety features include stability control, complete front- and side-airbag packages, and anti-lock brakes. But the Chevrolet Cruze also offers plenty of options for customization and extras, such as OnStar, keyless entry and ignition, and premium sound. One of our favorite options is the hard-drive navigation system, which allows clean, up-to-date directions almost anywhere without manual updating.
Buying a Chevrolet Cruze
The 2012 Chevrolet Cruze is a welcome alternative to the sometimes-bland reputation of compact, economical cars. It's got all the features that you'd expect in the class small size, big storage, good fuel economy with a few other perks in the form of driving performance and personalization. At Gary Lang Chevrolet, we've been proud to offer this breath of fresh air in the compact class to our customers for years, both new and used. If you've considered a smaller car before but you hadn't considered an American manufacturer's contribution, visit our location in the Northwest suburbs and find out more about the Cruze.