National - 2012 Chevy Cruze 2LT Ride Report/Review

http://carrentingreviews.com/2012/06/26/2012-chevy-cruze-2lt/

ICAR
EPA: 24/36

Rented just before the large GM recall. :eek:

PROS:

- Handsome exterior design and upscale looking interior
- Airy, two-tone cream colored dashboard color
- Good brakes
- Thick, comfortable leather wrapped steering wheel
- Generous trunk space
- Air conditioning blows coldly and powerfully

CONS:

- Noticeable tire noise; engine noisy under acceleration
- Suspension borders on being too harsh
- Seats lack cushioning, too firm
- Light, numb steering
- Can easily lose gas cap
- Low resolution displays with “classic GM” blue green text
- Driver’s gauges too reflective, even in indirect sunlight

CONCLUSION: Solid compact car but feels unrefined. Not as fun to drive as a Ford Focus.

Just picked one up from Hertz and agree with most of what you said. One thing you did not mention is the basic 6 speaker sound system has good volume, but no depth. There is an option for a 9 speaker system with sub.
Overall I think its a good car, especially for a mid size.

Hertz has (almost) the exact same model as what you rented. One difference I noticed was that the leather did not extend to the dashboard and door panels on my Cruze like it did on yours. Also, the gas cap on my car was connected. I wonder if it was just National who did that.

Other than that, I agree with the majority of what you said. I wish I had the opportunity to rent other new cars in this and smaller classes like you do! I loved the engine though; it was my first time in a turbocharged vehicle and it is so cool -- all that torque at only 1850 rpm! I also didn't experience the glare problem that plagued your rental. I did however have an issue with traction -- on a gravel road, it was very difficult to keep control of the car, and out here in SLC that makes me wonder how safe it would be to have one of these in the winter.

-J.

Hertz has (almost) the exact same model as what you rented. One difference I noticed was that the leather did not extend to the dashboard and door panels on my Cruze like it did on yours. Also, the gas cap on my car was connected. I wonder if it was just National who did that.

Other than that, I agree with the majority of what you said. I wish I had the opportunity to rent other new cars in this and smaller classes like you do! I loved the engine though; it was my first time in a turbocharged vehicle and it is so cool -- all that torque at only 1850 rpm! I also didn't experience the glare problem that plagued your rental. I did however have an issue with traction -- on a gravel road, it was very difficult to keep control of the car, and out here in SLC that makes me wonder how safe it would be to have one of these in the winter.

-J.

Hey jzweighaft, thanks for stopping by the National forum! :)

That's very peculiar about the leather trim on your Cruze. I would've thought that that design feature would be the same on similarly equipped models.

Glad to know the gas cap was just an issue with my rental.

I rented one from National a few months ago. Pretty much the same but mine had the MyLink system and working XM. Only 800 miles on the odometer too at the time. I think it must've been a 2013 since MyLink became standard on 2LT's for that model year.

Pretty sweet car. I'm a member of Hertz OnDemand and they have a silver 1LT at the location I use. Very nice to kinda putz around town in for a couple of hours when you need it.