How green is it? Chevy emphasizes the clean burning aspect of its 2.0-liter turbo direct injection diesel, the first diesel Chevy has produced for a car since the dark years of the 80s. The “Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel,” generates 90 percent fewer nitrous oxide emissions than old school diesels and, most remarkably, gets an estimated 46 mpg on the highway, the best fuel economy for any non-hybrid car in America.
Pros & cons: The biggest surprise of the Cruze diesel was the lack of body roll on turns thanks to the sport-tuned suspension. I took a highway ramp at increasing speeds and didn’t get nudged against the door until about 45 mph. The interior is surprisingly sporty, with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and heated bucket seats. The back seat is another story: Kids in boosters couldn’t fit their feet straight in. Two adults can fit with their knees splayed, but it’s a tight fit. Front legroom is 42.3 inches, nearly 7 inches more than the rear.
What’s new: The Chevy Cruze diesel is new for 2014 and includes everything on the LS trim plus 17′ alloy wheels, 4-wheel disc brakes and a 6-way power-adjustable driver’s seat.
Ride & performance: The diesel makes 151 horsepower and produces an estimated 264 pound-feet of torque, which gets it from 0-60 mph in 8.6 seconds, better than the Jetta TDI. There’s no “punching” it but once the car is moving the shifting is seamless and the rate of acceleration is zippy.
Family value: The trunk is huge for a compact. The listed cargo space is 13.3 cubic feet, but it could easily fit a couple hockey bags with groceries. While not ideal for drivers with youngish kids, the Cruze diesel is ideal for commuters, business travelers and weekend vacationers.
Fun factor: It’s surprisingly sporty but fun? At 46 mpg highway, I’ll take functional over fun to the bank.
Safety: The 2014 earned 5 out of 5 stars from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. Airbags abound: 10 standard airbags include side curtains and knees. Our favorite safety feature, however, is OnStar with its roadside assistance, hands-free calling and automatic crash response.
