How the 2016 Chevy Cruze Compares to the Competition

Chevrolet took the internet by storm a few months ago when they announced their new 2016 Cruze via a press release. What made the announcement go viral? The press release was composed solely of emojis. 

The company has continually attempted to market towards millennials, and their new vehicle will feature everything a 20-something could ever want in a car. The compact car is light, long, fast, powerful, fuel efficient and includes all the technical features you could ever want.

Wait, isn’t that what most car buyers are seeking in a new vehicle? Why, that’s absolutely correct! While advertisements and marketing for the 2016 Cruze have been focused on appealing to a specific demographic, the vehicle is truly a solid ride for anybody, regardless of age.

Yet the question remains: how will the Cruze compare to its competition/ Specifically, we’re thinking of the 2016 Ford Focus, 2016 Hyundai Elantra, and 2016 Mazda3. Unsurprisingly, it’s the Cruze that continually comes out ahead. The brand has continually produced top-of-the-line vehicles (including the 2016 Chevy Silverado, 2016 Chevy Malibu, 2016 Chevy Camaro and 2016 Chevy Equinox). The 2016 Cruze will be no exception.

If you’re considering purchasing a new vehicle, you may want to hold off for a couple of months. After all, the 2016 Chevy Cruze should be released sometime in early 2016. Until then, check out some interesting facts on the car…

Engine

The 2016 Chevy Cruze will offer a 1.5-liter inline-four gas 16-valve engine, supplemented by a six-speed shiftable automatic transmission and front-wheel drive capabilities. The suspension systems features MacPherson strut front, Torsion beam rear, front independent suspension, and a stabilizer bar. 

Official specs have yet to be released, but early estimates give us a clue to the vehicle’s abilities. The horsepower is expected to be around 153, with the torque around 177 ft-lbs. Those are both jumps over the previous year’s model, which saw the 1.4-liter engine produce 138 horsepower and 148 ft-lbs of torque.

The car should have no issue with performance, as the peak twist can be called up between 2,000 and 4,000 RPM, and the car’s 0-60 time is around eight seconds, which is similar to last year’s acceleration. The faster times could be attributed to a lighter architecture, which has resulted in a significant, 250-pound curb weight drop (based on estimates). This is partly due to the company’s inclusion of aluminum, a very light metal.

The three other vehicles all offer 2.0-liter engines and feature four-wheel drive capabilities. The Focus offers a fuel economy of around 110 miles per gallon in the city and 99 miles per gallon on highways. This is significantly higher than the Elantra (24/33 mpg) and Mazda3 (29/40 mpg). The Elantra leads the way in horsepower (173), while the Focus (160) and Mazda3 (155) also top the suggest specs for the Cruze. Furthermore, all three of the cars have torques that max out around 150 ft-lbs.

Meanwhile, Edmunds.com wasn’t particularly impressed by the Ford Focus engine, but they admitted that the car “gets the job done.” Other impressions were that the transmission isn’t very smooth, and they also believe the optional turbocharged 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine isn’t a match for the Focus.

Edmunds.com coins that Elantra’s engine as “one of the weaker options in this class,” noting that it often “suffers from abrupt accelerator response.” However, they acknowledge that the engine still provides an “adequate performance,” while the transmission usually feels pretty smooth.

Finally, Edmunds says that Mazda3’s engine sounds a bit “raspy” when accelerating, but the base engine still leads to the vehicle being one of the fastest in the class.

Interior Features

The Cruze’s interior is accentuated by the Chevrolet MyLink system, allowing the driver to access a number of technological features via a customizable touch-screen. You can access your phone, podcasts, music, maps, and much, much more. Many vehicles are starting to feature these infotainment systems, but no brand has managed to produce a system as successful as Chevy’s.

Other changes have included more room for rear passengers. This was a previous complaint of the Cruze, but it’s been widely reported that the 2016 model will feature significantly more space. Of course, there are also a number of safety features, including a number of air bags, a blind spot zone alert (letting you know when a fellow driver has snuck into the no-man’s land), rear cross traffic alert system, lane departure alert (assisting you as you attempt to switch lanes), and a forward collision alert (which will prevent collisions before they happen).

There are a number of features that come standard (or at least optional) in mostly all of the vehicles, include climate control, bluetooth capabilities and a keyless ignition. The Cruze stands out for it’s OnStar system, offering a concierge service, destination download, destination guidance, hands-free calling, and roadside assistance. Many of those features aren’t even available as add-ons for the other three vehicles, making the Cruze quite the technological achievement.

However, there are several features that separate them three rival vehicles from the group. The Focs and Mazda3 both come standard with HD radio, although satellite radio is available in the Cruze. The Focus and Elantra both have heated/cooled seats, and both vehicles also offered power seats. Meanwhile, parking assistance only comes standard on the Ford (it’s optional on the Mazda3).

Exterior Features

Pundits quickly recognized the changes to the Cruze’s body. Not only is the vehicle larger, but it also has a revamped design, making it more attractive and stylish than previous models. The brand focused on presenting an aero experience (as tested in wind tunnels), and they includes a faster windshield rake and a faster-sloping rear profile. This all leads to a sleeker, sportier design.

There are a number of features that come standard (or at least optional) in mostly all of the vehicles, include climate control, bluetooth capabilities and a keyless ignition. The Cruze stands out for it’s OnStar system, offering a concierge service, destination download, destination guidance, hands-free calling, and roadside assistance. Many of those features aren’t even available as add-ons for the other three vehicles, making the Cruze quite the technological achievement.

However, there are several features that separate them three rival vehicles from the group. The Focs and Mazda3 both come standard with HD radio, although satellite radio is available in the Cruze. The Focus and Elantra both have heated/cooled seats, and both vehicles also offered power seats. Meanwhile, parking assistance only comes standard on the Ford (it’s optional on the Mazda3).

Price

We’ve yet to hear a price for the 2016 Cruze, but we do have price tags for the three competitors. The 2016 Mazda3 tops the list at $18,665, followed by 2016 Ford Focus ($18,100) and 2016 Hyundai Elantra ($18,075). For comparison’s sake, the 2015 Chevy Cruze has a starting price south of $17,000. We should expect at least a slight price increase, but the Cruze should continually (and surprisingly) be the least-expensive among the class.

What did we tell you? Not only will the 2016 Chevy Cruze be an impressive vehicle, it will also be a much better product than many of its competitors. Sure, you’ll still have to wait a little while for it to the dealer lots, but there’s no doubt that it will be worth the wait!

In the meantime, head down to McCluskey Chevrolet. The helpful staff will hook you up with your ideal vehicle in no time!