2017 Chevy Cruze – Albany, NY

The performance of the 2017 Chevy Cruze is best described as spirited. While a diesel model is available, the gas-powered model only has a single engine option. And that's fine, considering it’s a huge improvement compared to the engine from the last generation. It’s both more fuel-efficient and powerful and remains a front-wheel drive vehicle. While the 0 to 60 mph time of 9.6 seconds is slower than some of the other models in the class, its ultimate goal is fuel economy. Even so, the acceleration of the Cruze is still something you shouldn’t have to worry about, especially for driving around town and getting on the highway.

1.4-liter

The single engine choice is a 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine, that puts out 153 horsepower and 177 lb.-ft. of torque. EPA estimates for the Cruze with this engine are 28 mpg city/39 mpg highway when equipped with a manual transmission. With an automatic, those numbers increase slightly to 30 mpg city/40 mpg highway.

As a side note, the hatchback model gets slightly less fuel economy. Regardless, both fuel economy ratings are exceptional for a vehicle of this caliber.

Transmissions

Cruze power comes mated to a manual six-speed transmission on the L, LS, and LT trim. A six-speed automatic is optional for the LS and LT trim if you don’t fancy a stick. If you want an automatic transmission along with all the upgraded features the Cruze has to offer, you’re in luck. The Premier trim comes with everything listed above. Or, you might want to upgrade to the automatic transmission if you experience a lot of stop and go traffic, given the available stop/start engine technology - designed to save fuel when the car is idling.

There’s a plethora of advanced safety features found on the 2017 Chevy Cruze, which has a three-part safety system, designed around the principal tenets: prevent, protect, and respond. All the safety features — whether standard or optional — work together to fulfill this mission.

Prevent

When it comes to preventing an accident, I’m not talking about airbags or a safety cage. Those fall under the category to protect during an accident. Instead, I’m talking about the more advanced technology features that help you avoid an accident.

What kind of features? Let's start with frontal collision alert, which uses a camera to scan traffic for stopped or slowing vehicles in the Cruze’s path. If this technology detects a potential collision, it will give you an audible alert so you can take action to avoid it.

If you put it in reverse, rear cross traffic alert will kick in and help you avoid backing into any oncoming traffic that might be approaching from the sides of the Cruze. If the system detects any approaching vehicles, then it will provide an audible alert — as well as a visual one on the rear vision camera — to let you know it isn’t safe to back out quite yet.

Protect

If an accident does occur, 10 airbags will deploy. Before that, the high-strength steel safety cage will absorb most of the impact.

Respond

Even these preventive safety features have their limits, and, as we all know, accidents do still happen. Airbags will deploy, and the steel safety frame will absorb a lot of the impact, and help protect you and passengers from the damage. But, an injury can still result, or maybe you’re unable to call for help due to being incapacitated or pinned in a position that keeps you from accessing your phone. If that’s the case, then you’ll be glad Chevrolet has included such an advanced responsive safety feature on the 2017 Cruze.

With the OnStar Guidance Plan, you not only gain access to the 4G LTE Wi-Fi, you also gain access to an OnStar Automatic Crash Response system. The way this system works is simple, quick, and effective. Three key qualities necessary to mitigate any harm incurred during a crash. When the system’s sensors detect a collision has occurred, the program will automatically connect your vehicle to an OnStar Advisor. This Advisor will then ask if you need help, and if you do — or don’t respond after a short time — the Advisor will contact emergency services and provide them with your location. Giving you ultimate peace of mind that help is on the way...

Since the Cruze was released to the market fairly recently, it’s expected to come loaded with all the latest and greatest technology Chevy has to offer. If you share that assumption, you are correct.

Touchscreen

Chevrolet MyLink is along for the ride and powers a touchscreen display. In particular, this display is a 7-inch one. Why is this such a big deal? Because, MyLink is one of the most well-loved systems in the industry. It provides the capability to connect your phone — via Android Auto or Apple CarPlay — and easily access all of your favorite phone functions, like hands-free talk and text, Pandora radio, navigation, and other popular phone apps.

But, if you’re willing to take your MyLink touchscreen experience to the next level, grabbing the available 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot is a good way to do that. You’ll be able to have Wi-Fi wherever you go, with a connection that runs faster than just using data.

On a side note, the Cruze was the first vehicle in its class to offer support for both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Given the amount of hands-free driving laws that have since passed, this a must-have feature for the modern driver.