Am I the only one who thinks the Cruze is a lame duck...

[fp115]

Originally Posted by calgaryhhr

The new Kia Forte seems to have a pretty well defined, clear and crisp beltline. I think it should provide a very close comparison to the new Cruze.

That is quite the boring belt line, it is barely defined, but an improvement over most cars in the class. The only reason the new Equinox looks so good is the fact that the beltline is so crisp and well made.

Originally Posted by Mr. Burns

My policy when posting pictures of cars is to post real-world pics, which is what I did for both. Unfortunately I could not find any better real-world Cruze pics, seeing as it isnt out yet.

The 3's side profile is much more interesting and modern than the Cruze's (which is really dull and bland), even using your pictures.

The Cruze does have a great interior though.

I don't see how you find it more appealing, it looks bloated, lack of definition and the top of the doors are so much higher in comparison to the wheels. They bothered to change around the front clip and part of the rear, but never bothered to look at the side when doing the update.

[GMC-70]

I think the Cruze looks just about right for the segment. I just think the name sucks.

[Mr. Burns]

Originally Posted by fp115

That is quite the boring belt line, it is barely defined, but an improvement over most cars in the class. The only reason the new Equinox looks so good is the fact that the beltline is so crisp and well made.

I don't see how you find it more appealing, it looks bloated, lack of definition and the top of the doors are so much higher in comparison to the wheels. They bothered to change around the front clip and part of the rear, but never bothered to look at the side when doing the update.

I think the side is one of those things that makes a mazda3 a mazda3, and IMO the side shape has been one of the most attractive ones in the class. It's not easy to make the side profile of an economy car look good, considering the height required compared to the wheelbase.

I think the new 3's side details are very cool, especially when you see it actually driving around. The crease at the bottom combined with the well defined front wheel arches and the tastefully done belt line is very dynamic and attractive. The Cruze on the other hand has an average belt line, an average bottom side design, an average greenhouse and average wheel arches.







The rear is pretty dull too.


I mean if this car was targeting the Toyota Corolla buyer today, fine, but it cant afford to do that. It needs to be a youthful and spirited alternative, and frankly it just doesnt cut it.

[Buick61]

Originally Posted by fp115

Umm wrong. All the pictures I posted are in production form, especially the Holden ones.

Originally Posted by fp115

1) Production form is definitive. There aren't degrees of production form, so the Holden Cruze's can't be in "especially" production form.

2) The first shot you used was of the Concept Cruz. Don't believe me? Please go to the Daewoo/Holden/Chevrolet sites around the world and find one production trim Cruze that has those brakes and wheels.

[Z284ever]

Originally Posted by fp115

Umm wrong. All the pictures I posted are in production form, especially the Holden ones.

Are you trying to tell me that this is not the concept?:






I sat in the concept, believe me it's a concept. In fact I was even instructed to be careful not touch certain portions of the interior.


BTW, I just noticed the Holden pics you added, which weren't there before.

[Toto]

Don't like the front and rear end, but like the side profile. There is a special edition available in Germany, the Cruze Irmscher. Irmscher is a well known Opel tuner.

[All-Or-Nothing]

Sorry but the Cruze to me looks terrible. Looks like it was designed strictly for fleet sales and rental companies. I don't think it could have been made to look more boring. If the MPGs aren't class leading then it better be cheap cuz design wise it failed.

[Hitman1970]

Since many Americans still think Chevrolet's small car offering is the Cavalier, I do not think Cruze will be a lame duck. Four months is not that much of a delay. If it is for ensuring a quality vehicle is delivered from day one then I am willing to wait.

[MonaroSS]

Originally Posted by Mr. Burns

I love the Cobalt SS, I think it looks really good. Doubt any Cruze coupe (if there will be one) will look as good.

[calgaryhhr]

Originally Posted by fp115

That is quite the boring belt line, it is barely defined, but an improvement over most cars in the class. The only reason the new Equinox looks so good is the fact that the beltline is so crisp and well made.

Based on this comment I really don't know how you define the beltline or how you determine whether a beltline is attractive or crisp or well defined.

The beltline of the Kia Forte, to me, looks as defined and as crisp as that on the Cruze. I don't really see the Equinox as having a very well defined beltline.

But whatever.

The Cruze will certainly be a stepped up from the current Cobalt especially in terms of interior styling. It should attract a lot of sales when it initially comes out. Buyers usually tend to get excited about new or redesigned vehicles and sales usually increase.

[Simon says]

Originally Posted by K-1

You missed the reference. Talking about Corolla and Civic. Cars that are the exact antithesis of the 3.

Missed nothing. Have you seen the amount of Corollas in the rental car lots . . .?

[K-1]

Originally Posted by Simon says

Missed nothing. Have you seen the amount of Corollas in the rental car lots . . .?

Corolla, yes. Civic, no.

[igor]

I will go wash my mouth with soap after I say this, but ...

I saw the Forte Koup on Monday and - MAN!!! That thing looked great!! Civic coupe pales next to it. It overpowers the Civic looks the way Camaro makes Mustang blend in!!

I just saw it sit there on the lot - did not drive it, poke around or anything, but it looked simply great.

OK where is the nearest sink and bar of soap?

[SSrevolution]

The Cruze will be even worse off than the Cobalt. Personally I think the Cobalt is a good vehicle and it had tons more potential that GM could have utilized rather than ignoring; only complementing it with minimal upgrades over the years.

I see gobs of Cobalts every day and with a bit more dimension to it and a better interior it could have been something for the next generation. The Cruze is crap and this whole thing reminds me of a 90s GM move.

[SSrevolution]

Originally Posted by igor

I will go wash my mouth with soap after I say this, but ...

I saw the Forte Koup on Monday and - MAN!!! That thing looked great!! Civic coupe pales next to it. It overpowers the Civic looks the way Camaro makes Mustang blend in!!

I just saw it sit there on the lot - did not drive it, poke around or anything, but it looked simply great.

OK where is the nearest sink and bar of soap?

I actually don't know anything about the features and specs of the Forte yet but one thing I know about it is its styling. When I saw it in Motor Trend my intial response was to think it was a mid-life cycle facelift for the Civic. Kia succeeded in making it look just like a Civic. Lame.