Holden Cruze CDX & CD Diesel Review

Masynee · 10-15-2009, 02:34 AM

2009 Holden Cruze CDX And CD Diesel Road Test Review

Kez Casey
The Motor Report
www.themotorreport.com.au
15th October, 2009

Make no mistake, Holden’s Cruze has some big shoes to fill. Without the perennially popular Astra and the budget-conscious Viva in Holden showrooms, the Cruze needs to be a lot of things to a lot of people.

Globally, General Motors has tagged this car with the responsibility of being a roaring success across North America, Europe, Asia and Australia.

For now, the sedan-only Cruze has to take the fight to a varied competition offering sedans, hatches and wagons. Available in two well-equipped specifications, with a choice of petrol or diesel engine, Holden’s marketing spin is that the Cruze has “changed the small car game forever”.

TMR took a diesel-powered Cruze CD and a range-topping petrol Cruze CDX and put them through their paces to see just how well the new contender lives up to those claims.

Already the Cruze is making a dent in the sector. With 1318 sales in September, it still has a way to go to catch the segment-leading Corolla with 3353 sales, but it is gaining ground.

So, but how does Holden’s new big hope measure up? With production to swap to Australia later next year, expectations are high for this new mid-sized contender from Holden.

Link to Full Article

K Dawg ONE · 10-15-2009, 09:01 AM

Stryker Blue? Thats a good colour on that car!

But wait....scissor hinges for the trunk instead of gas-charged struts? Thats just not acceptable! I hope that changes for the USDM...

Rick_VT · 10-15-2009, 10:11 AM

Bet Holden are wishing they were making these here now instead of next year so they could get more to market, with proper vehicles available they could prob get close to the 2000 mark regularly.

Hardly think the Cruze has big shoes to fill compared to the Viva lol if ever there was a good reason to change the name of a car its that one.

Did any of the Aussie mods who got to speak with Holden people recently manage to quietly ask if the Aussie designers are working on future variants like convertible and sporty 3 door versions to add later? If so i hope they use the Chev front end, i think it looks sportier.

WishIhadatruck · 10-15-2009, 11:11 AM

I was hoping they wouldn't use cargo crushing hinges as well. It really affects how you can pack your trunk. I never realized how nice it would be to have non-intruding hinges until I had them. I'd hate to go back.

I sure wish we could get the diesels here in the US. Hopefully the 1.4L T will turn out to be a good motor.

**mikmak** · 10-15-2009, 05:05 PM

lol. For the size of car, I don't believe the hinge type is really a significant issue (but that's only my priorities). They have attacked the more important issues first and that is what is going to make the Cruze such a success. I noted that The Motor Report is the only one to mention the petrol engine being close to other petrol rivals (hello Corolla).

Nice review overall.

CheetahDC · 10-15-2009, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by K Dawg ONE

Stryker Blue? Thats a good colour on that car!

But wait....scissor hinges for the trunk instead of gas-charged struts? Thats just not acceptable! I hope that changes for the USDM...

It's still a roomier trunk than the Buick LaCrosse's.

chinamonty · 10-15-2009, 06:14 PM

Why does the diesel weigh 120kgs more. I know that because of the combustion it has to be built heavier but this seems a lot for a 1.8L motor.

member12 · 10-15-2009, 08:05 PM

I like the Holden grill better than the Chevy fascia.

Wonder why they don't just install a bow tie where the Opel/Saturn/Holden logo fits. It looks much more up to date, and much more upscale than the Chevy version....and it's just very small changes. The rest of the car looks very generic unfortunately. Not ugly....but not anything that I'd notice either. On the bright side, the interior looks very nice...hopefully we get the mirror image version of that one.

Also wonder why congress is fighting clean diesels tooth and nail...I'd love to get 45 mpg in a vehicle that can get out of it's own way (which I doubt the gas powered 1.4L turbo Cruze can do....but I hope for the best).

rlittrell@light · 10-15-2009, 09:31 PM

Scissor hinges are a pain. I will never own another car that has them. For me, this is a deal breaker. I know most cars in this class have them, but here was a chance to separate the Cruze from the pack. If I am not mistaken, the Cobalt has struts.

rlittrell@light · 10-15-2009, 09:57 PM

Scissor hinges are a pain. I will never own another car that has them. For me, this is a deal breaker. I know most cars in this class have them, but here was a chance to separate the Cruze from the pack. If I am not mistaken, the Cobalt has struts.

steve333 · 10-15-2009, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rlittrell@light

Scissor hinges are a pain. I will never own another car that has them. For me, this is a deal breaker. I know most cars in this class have them, but here was a chance to separate the Cruze from the pack. If I am not mistaken, the Cobalt has struts.

Yes it does, but the trunk opening is very small.

As for that 1.8L. if this engine is put into the NA Cruze than this car will have a very tough time making it.
Yes, the 1.4L turbo will be an option but the naturally aspirated engine needs to be powerful, at least as many HP as the 2.2L.

CheetahDC · 10-15-2009, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by member12

I like the Holden grill better than the Chevy fascia.

Wonder why they don't just install a bow tie where the Opel/Saturn/Holden logo fits. It looks much more up to date, and much more upscale than the Chevy version....and it's just very small changes.

The Holden looks rather handsome...but I must say I rather like the Chevrolet version. The new front end design is a nice improvement over say, the mid-late 90's Lumina and current Impala (I did like the attitude of the 00-05 Impala, however).

big swede · 10-15-2009, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chinamonty

Why does the diesel weigh 120kgs more. I know that because of the combustion it has to be built heavier but this seems a lot for a 1.8L motor.

Diesels are always very heavy because the blocks are not aluminum like their NA counterparts and are usually made extra beefy because of the amount of boost that needs to be stuffed down their throat to get them to perform.

I think the Civic diesel is almost 300lbs heavier than it's gas counterpart.

RedVee8 · 10-15-2009, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rlittrell@light

Scissor hinges are a pain. I will never own another car that has them. For me, this is a deal breaker. I know most cars in this class have them, but here was a chance to separate the Cruze from the pack. If I am not mistaken, the Cobalt has struts.

Scissor hinges? is that what we call goose-neck?

Didn't the goose necks get explained for the laCrosse by saying it provides a auto open function?

Or, have I got it all arse-up?

VS Ute 5Litre · 10-17-2009, 06:13 PM

Finding a Cruze Diesel (manual) for a test drive is proving difficult.

My wife and i did however find a petrol Auto to sit in and allthough i found it quite small and somewhat cumbersome to get into (being around 6 foot 4) once inside it was a nice place to be.

We're traveling into Sydney next weekend and i'll probably find one there to test drive
So far though the cruze looks light years ahead of other cars in the same price class

Very well done Holden

10-15-2009, 02:34 AM	#1 (permalink)
Masynee 1.4 Liter Turbocharged ECOTEC Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Brisbane Drives: 2008 Suzuki Swift Ford Falcon EF Posts: 77	Holden Cruze CDX & CD Diesel Review 2009 Holden Cruze CDX And CD Diesel Road Test Review Kez Casey The Motor Report www.themotorreport.com.au 15th October, 2009 Make no mistake, Holden’s Cruze has some big shoes to fill. Without the perennially popular Astra and the budget-conscious Viva in Holden showrooms, the Cruze needs to be a lot of things to a lot of people. Globally, General Motors has tagged this car with the responsibility of being a roaring success across North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. For now, the sedan-only Cruze has to take the fight to a varied competition offering sedans, hatches and wagons. Available in two well-equipped specifications, with a choice of petrol or diesel engine, Holden’s marketing spin is that the Cruze has “changed the small car game forever”. TMR took a diesel-powered Cruze CD and a range-topping petrol Cruze CDX and put them through their paces to see just how well the new contender lives up to those claims. Already the Cruze is making a dent in the sector. With 1318 sales in September, it still has a way to go to catch the segment-leading Corolla with 3353 sales, but it is gaining ground. So, but how does Holden’s new big hope measure up? With production to swap to Australia later next year, expectations are high for this new mid-sized contender from Holden. Link to Full Article __________________ Improve Your Google Rankings \| Unique Baby Gifts

10-15-2009, 09:01 AM	#2 (permalink)
K Dawg ONE 3.0 Liter SIDI V6 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Windsor, ON, Canada Drives: 1995 Jimmy 2WD (dragger); 2000 Blazer 4WD (driver) Posts: 582	Re: Holden Cruze CDX & CD Diesel Review Stryker Blue? Thats a good colour on that car! But wait....scissor hinges for the trunk instead of gas-charged struts? Thats just not acceptable! I hope that changes for the USDM... __________________ Kris Creed \| Sales Consultant \| GUS REVENBERG CHEVROLET-BUICK-GMC-HUMMER \| Windsor, Ontario \| 800-291-1117 x177 \| kris(DOT)creed(AT)gusrevenberg(DOT)com Last edited by K Dawg ONE : 10-15-2009 at 09:06 AM.

10-15-2009, 10:11 AM	#3 (permalink)
Rick_VT 3.0 Liter SIDI V6 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Canberra Australia Drives: VT Acclaim Series 1 Posts: 707	Re: Holden Cruze CDX & CD Diesel Review Bet Holden are wishing they were making these here now instead of next year so they could get more to market, with proper vehicles available they could prob get close to the 2000 mark regularly. Hardly think the Cruze has big shoes to fill compared to the Viva lol if ever there was a good reason to change the name of a car its that one. Did any of the Aussie mods who got to speak with Holden people recently manage to quietly ask if the Aussie designers are working on future variants like convertible and sporty 3 door versions to add later? If so i hope they use the Chev front end, i think it looks sportier.

10-15-2009, 11:11 AM	#4 (permalink)
WishIhadatruck 4.6 Liter Northstar V8 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Drives: '01 Grand Prix GT '96 Roadmaster Wagon Posts: 1,793	Re: Holden Cruze CDX & CD Diesel Review I was hoping they wouldn't use cargo crushing hinges as well. It really affects how you can pack your trunk. I never realized how nice it would be to have non-intruding hinges until I had them. I'd hate to go back. I sure wish we could get the diesels here in the US. Hopefully the 1.4L T will turn out to be a good motor. __________________ 1996 Buick Roadmaster Wagon 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix

10-15-2009, 05:05 PM	#5 (permalink)
mikmak GMI Australia Correspondent Join Date: May 2005 Location: Pacific Paradise, Australia Drives: VZ Wagon and JSII sedan Posts: 11,601	Re: Holden Cruze CDX & CD Diesel Review lol. For the size of car, I don't believe the hinge type is really a significant issue (but that's only my priorities). They have attacked the more important issues first and that is what is going to make the Cruze such a success. I noted that The Motor Report is the only one to mention the petrol engine being close to other petrol rivals (hello Corolla). Nice review overall. __________________ *READ GM International Operations 100 Day Scorecard!!It's official: I'm a twit. Follow me on Twitter!!***

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10-15-2009, 06:14 PM	#7 (permalink)
chinamonty 6.0 Liter L76 V8 Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Caulfield (Melbourne) Australia Drives: Ford AU Fairmont Wagon (work car) Posts: 2,452	Re: Holden Cruze CDX & CD Diesel Review Why does the diesel weigh 120kgs more. I know that because of the combustion it has to be built heavier but this seems a lot for a 1.8L motor.

10-15-2009, 08:05 PM	#8 (permalink)
member12 6.2 Liter LS9 Supercharged V8 Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Baton Rouge Drives: 2007 Silverado 4x4 Posts: 7,666	Re: Holden Cruze CDX & CD Diesel Review I like the Holden grill better than the Chevy fascia. Wonder why they don't just install a bow tie where the Opel/Saturn/Holden logo fits. It looks much more up to date, and much more upscale than the Chevy version....and it's just very small changes. The rest of the car looks very generic unfortunately. Not ugly....but not anything that I'd notice either. On the bright side, the interior looks very nice...hopefully we get the mirror image version of that one. Also wonder why congress is fighting clean diesels tooth and nail...I'd love to get 45 mpg in a vehicle that can get out of it's own way (which I doubt the gas powered 1.4L turbo Cruze can do....but I hope for the best). __________________ Get your geek on in 2012! Last edited by member12 : 10-15-2009 at 08:09 PM.

10-15-2009, 09:31 PM	#9 (permalink)
rlittrell@light Walking Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 3	Re: Holden Cruze CDX & CD Diesel Review Scissor hinges are a pain. I will never own another car that has them. For me, this is a deal breaker. I know most cars in this class have them, but here was a chance to separate the Cruze from the pack. If I am not mistaken, the Cobalt has struts.

10-15-2009, 09:57 PM	#10 (permalink)
rlittrell@light Walking Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 3	Re: Holden Cruze CDX & CD Diesel Review Scissor hinges are a pain. I will never own another car that has them. For me, this is a deal breaker. I know most cars in this class have them, but here was a chance to separate the Cruze from the pack. If I am not mistaken, the Cobalt has struts.

10-17-2009, 06:13 PM	#15 (permalink)
VS Ute 5Litre 1.8 Liter ECOTEC Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Canberra Drives: Take a look at my username!! Posts: 30	Re: Holden Cruze CDX & CD Diesel Review Finding a Cruze Diesel (manual) for a test drive is proving difficult. My wife and i did however find a petrol Auto to sit in and allthough i found it quite small and somewhat cumbersome to get into (being around 6 foot 4) once inside it was a nice place to be. We're traveling into Sydney next weekend and i'll probably find one there to test drive So far though the cruze looks light years ahead of other cars in the same price class Very well done Holden

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