The automotive landscape wasn’t always kind to those seeking an affordable, domestically-built compact car. Compromises were expected, corners were cut, and often, the driving experience suffered. However, vehicles like the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze emerged as game-changers, emphatically proving that those days of sacrifice are firmly in the past. As a replacement for the Chevrolet Cobalt, the Cruze represented a significant leap forward for General Motors in the budget-friendly small car segment. Stylish, comfortable, fuel-efficient, and built with a level of quality previously unseen in Chevrolet’s entry-level offerings, the Cruze effectively erased the negative perceptions associated with American compact cars. Forget those airport rental counter anxieties; the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze was a genuinely appealing option.
2012 Chevrolet Cruze: Navigating the Compact Car Competition
The 2012 Chevrolet Cruze entered a compact car market undergoing a significant evolution. This segment was increasingly diverging into two distinct categories. On one side stood the established guard, featuring models like the Toyota Corolla and Nissan Sentra. These sedans offered reliable, albeit somewhat unexciting, platforms focused on practicality, a comfortable ride, and decent fuel economy. On the other side, a new wave of tech-forward, stylish, and highly efficient compact cars was gaining momentum, spearheaded by vehicles like the Ford Fiesta and Hyundai Elantra. The Chevrolet Cruze firmly positioned itself within this latter group, gaining a competitive edge over some of the traditional leaders in the compact car class by offering a more modern and appealing package.
Decoding the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze MSRP and Trim Levels
The 2012 Chevrolet Cruze lineup began with the base LS trim, boasting a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $16,720. Buyers had a range of choices with four additional trim levels: 1LT, 2LT, LTZ, and ECO. The LTZ represented the premium, fully-equipped Cruze variant, with an MSRP reaching $23,110. The ECO model prioritized maximizing fuel efficiency, although all 2012 Chevrolet Cruze models delivered commendable EPA fuel economy ratings.
Our test vehicle was a Canadian-specification Cruze LT Turbo+, closely mirroring the U.S. Cruze 2LT trim in terms of features. Equipped with the optional RS package, its U.S. MSRP would be just under $21,500. Let’s delve into the specifics of what the 2LT trim and RS package brought to the Chevrolet Cruze, offering a more detailed examination of this compact sedan’s offerings and value relative to its MSRP.
2012 Chevrolet Cruze Exterior: Breaking the Mold
One of the immediate impressions of the Chevrolet Cruze is its visual presence. This wasn’t just another anonymous compact sedan. The Cruze distinguished itself in the affordable car segment with its confident design and well-proportioned aesthetics. A lowered stance provided a hint of sportiness, particularly enhanced by the sport suspension standard on the 2LT trim. The optional RS package further elevated the Cruze’s sculpted sheet metal, adding side skirts, a rear spoiler, and more aggressive front and rear bumpers.
Beyond the RS package’s aerodynamic enhancements, sculpted fog lamps integrated into the lower front molding, a subtle red “RS” badge on the front fenders, and the 18-inch five-spoke wheels on our test model all contributed to the small car’s enhanced visual appeal. It’s a testament to changing trends that just a few years prior, 18-inch wheels were typically reserved for GM’s sport sedans. Modern automotive style now dictated larger wheels and tires even for the most practical of commuter vehicles, a design element incorporated into the Cruze even at its MSRP.
2012 Chevrolet Cruze Interior: An Upscale Surprise
The RS package’s influence extended into the interior of the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. Upgraded gauges, bathed in a pleasant blue illumination, were positioned directly in front of the driver. The instrument cluster featured a dual-cowl design housing the speedometer and tachometer, with a central LED display providing fuel efficiency data, trip odometer readings, and a digital speedometer. This screen was controlled by buttons on the high-beam stalk, a system that, while functional, proved somewhat unintuitive in operation.
The center stack of the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze adopted a straightforward layout familiar to drivers of recent General Motors vehicles. Flat buttons controlled the Sirius/XM satellite radio, CD player, and USB/AUX inputs, while larger knobs at the base of the stack managed the climate control. An LED screen above the entertainment interface displayed information on the current audio track or station, as well as climate settings.
This screen also provided access to vehicle settings, including menu languages and locking features, and managed Bluetooth pairing for mobile phones. Bluetooth connectivity and dialing through the Cruze 2LT’s OnStar service relied on Chevrolet’s voice-recognition system. Unfortunately, this system proved frustratingly inconsistent in understanding spoken commands and often required multiple steps for simple tasks.
Overall, the Chevrolet Cruze’s passenger cabin presented a visually appealing and surprisingly upscale environment for its price point. The interior design incorporated thoughtful touches, such as minimizing hard plastics and using a textured fabric mesh on portions of the dash and door panels for a more refined feel. The front cloth seats offered reasonable comfort and support, and the rear seats provided adequate space for two adults on shorter trips. The Cruze’s trunk offered a genuinely generous 15 cubic feet of storage, further expandable by folding down the rear seatbacks, adding to the practicality beyond its attractive MSRP.
Optional features not included on our test vehicle but available for the Cruze included a sunroof, an upgraded sound system, and a navigation system, allowing buyers to further customize their vehicle beyond the standard features offered at the base MSRP.
2012 Chevrolet Cruze Powertrain and Fuel Economy: Efficiency Meets Performance
The 2012 Chevrolet Cruze offered two distinct four-cylinder engine choices, each representing a different approach to balancing performance and efficiency. The base Cruze LS was equipped with a 1.8-liter engine producing 138 horsepower. All other Cruze trims featured a smaller, 1.4-liter turbocharged engine, matching the 1.8-liter in horsepower but delivering a more substantial 148 lb-ft of torque. Remarkably, the more powerful 1.4-liter turbo also achieved better fuel economy, particularly in the ECO trim, boasting an EPA-estimated 42 mpg highway and 28 mpg city.
The Cruze 2LT we tested featured the turbocharged engine paired with the optional six-speed automatic transmission. Chevrolet estimated this combination would achieve 38 mpg highway and 26 mpg city. In our mostly city driving, we observed a combined 30 mpg, a genuinely impressive figure for a non-hybrid compact car, especially considering its accessible MSRP.
2012 Chevrolet Cruze Driving Impressions: Refined and Responsive
The 2012 Chevrolet Cruze’s turbocharger delivered a remarkably transparent driving experience. Turbo lag was virtually nonexistent, providing immediate power delivery when pressing the accelerator. Chevrolet successfully engineered the 1.4-liter engine to feel larger than its displacement, without compromising fuel economy or the overall driving experience. While not a sports car, the Cruze offered brisk acceleration suitable for everyday driving, inspiring confidence in stop-and-go traffic. Torque was readily available at lower engine speeds, and even under hard acceleration, torque steer was well-managed, maintaining composed steering feel. Highway passing power was also adequate, though the typical surge associated with some turbocharged engines was less pronounced in the Cruze.
The six-speed automatic transmission provided smooth and timely shifts under most driving conditions. Occasionally, when applying throttle mid-corner at lower speeds, a slight hesitation of about half a second occurred as the transmission selected the appropriate gear. The transmission also included a manual mode, which functioned effectively as long as gear changes were initiated slightly before the desired shift point.
Switching between manual and automatic modes sometimes resulted in less smooth shifts and slightly abrupt power delivery, even with gentle throttle input. This issue wasn’t consistent but occurred primarily after re-engaging Drive following a period of manual shifting. The low mileage of our test vehicle (under 500 miles) might have contributed to this behavior, suggesting it could improve with further break-in.
The 2012 Chevrolet Cruze 2LT’s sport-tuned suspension, despite its lowered stance, offered a surprisingly comfortable ride, even on rough road surfaces. The cabin remained quiet, and the suspension delivered better-than-expected road holding and reduced understeer for an entry-level sedan. The Cruze even encouraged spirited driving on winding roads. The electric power steering provided decent feedback, and the four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes (not standard on all Cruze trims) provided confident and reliable stopping power, features adding value beyond just the base MSRP.
2012 Chevrolet Cruze Safety: Comprehensive Protection
The 2012 Chevrolet Cruze 2LT prioritized safety with a comprehensive suite of airbags, including front airbags, side curtain airbags for all occupants, and front and rear side-impact airbags. A driver’s knee airbag was also included as standard. StabiliTrak stability control and traction control were standard safety features, along with a three-month subscription to OnStar’s safety and accident assistance services, all contributing to the Cruze’s safety proposition relative to its MSRP.
2012 Chevrolet Cruze: Final Verdict
The 2012 Chevrolet Cruze presented a compelling package. This compact sedan was not only affordable, reflected in its attractive MSRP, but also managed to deliver excellent fuel economy without compromising driving enjoyment. It boasted a stylish interior and exterior design that defied expectations for its class. The Chevrolet Cruze offered a comfortable ride and surprisingly spacious cabin for a car in this segment, and the interior noise levels were remarkably low for an entry-level vehicle.
The American market responded positively to this higher-quality entry-level Chevrolet, making the Cruze one of GM’s top-selling models. This success was particularly notable given the intense competition within the compact car segment, driven by renewed investment from numerous manufacturers. The 2012 Chevrolet Cruze proved that a budget-friendly MSRP could still deliver a well-rounded and desirable compact car.
2012 Chevrolet Cruze: The Highlights
What We Liked:
- Excellent fuel economy figures
- Responsive and usable power from the turbocharged engine
- Smooth, quiet ride and roomy interior
- Upscale look and feel despite its entry-level MSRP
Areas for Improvement:
- The Bluetooth voice interface could be more user-friendly
- 18-inch tire replacements can be costly
