It’s no secret that General Motors->ke1024 has been working on a update for the hot selling Chevrolet->ke199 Cruze. We’ve seen spy shots of camo-covered Cruzes before, but none have been so revealing as these.
Looking past the digital zebra print, it’s apparent the 2015 makeover will be fairly extensive. The windshield is more steeply raked, while the rear roof section gets a more coupe-like fall towards the C-pillars. The front fascia is much lower and pointed than before with a more aggressive stance. The larger, reshaped grille starts a belt line that runs over the headlights, through the finders, and circles around to the rear taillights. The exterior door handles have been repositioned further up, integrating within the belt line.
Out back, reworked taillights look more detailed, while the third brake light is been moved to the trunk lid in the from of an LED light bar. The rear fascia is more detailed as well with a black, non-functional spoiler at its base.
The interior of the 2015 Cruze is said to be much more upmarket with a new, large touchscreen and revamped multifunction steering wheel. Stitching and chrome accents abound on the instrument panel and then carry throughout the cabin. Also visible is an “Eco Mode” button, a voice command button, and a lane-departure activation switch. Park assist looks to be among the switchgear as well.
Unfortunately for U.S. buyers, the Cruze->ke3230 will likely go on sale in other countries a few months before production ramps up within the two U.S. plants. General Motor rolled out the current Cruze in the same manner in order to deplete dealer inventory of older models the Cruze was replacing.
Spy Shots
The Cruze has been a very popular vehicle for Chevrolet in the in U.S. and General Motors worldwide - having multiple brands selling the car under different monikers and with slightly reshaped styling.
Here in the states, the Cruze is Chevrolet's second most popular product, falling right behind the Silverado->ke1787. It's offered in LS, LT, LTZ, Eco, and Diesel trims, the car has a base starting price at $17,520.
Powering the LS is a 1.8-liter inline-four that produces 138 horsepower and 125 pound-feet of torque. Opt for the upscale trims, and the engine becomes a turbocharged 1.4-liter inline-four making a similar 138 horsepower but a little more torque at 148 pound-feet. Fuel economy does grow with the 1.4-liter to 26 city/ 30 combined/38 highway as the turbo helps conserve fuel. That's over the 1.8-liter's 25 city /29 combined /36 highway.
Opting for the diesel gets you a 2.0-liter I-4 making 151 horsepower and a respectable 264 pound-feet of torque. EPA estimates for the diesel are 27 city/ 33 combined/ 46 highway.
The Cruze Eco shares the same 1.4-liter turbo, but employs a few tricks to up its EPA rating to 42 mpg highway.
The Cruze tops out near $30,000 with all the option boxes check on the on the Diesel trim.