Nobody can accuse GM Holden of relaxing on the Cruze. Indeed, the Aussie auto maker has set a new benchmark with its 2014 version of the small sedan and hatchback.
The entry-level Cruze CD has been cut out of the range, being replaced by the Equipe. Starting at $19,490, which is $2000 less than the model it replaces, its added features include foglamps, sports grille, 17-inch alloy wheels and rear park assist as standard.
Cruze CDX (starting from $24,190) gains premium features including keyless entry with push button start and a reversing camera. The last is also added to the range-topping SRi-V (from $26,490), while the SRi sport model (from $22,490) gets rear park assist as standard.
Those familiar with the Aussie made Holden Cruzes will recognise three engines from the Series II range – the 1.4-litre iTi and 1.8-litre petrol engines, and 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel.
Now the MY14 Cruze introduces an additional engine, a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol unit.
New Holden Cruze sees for the first time in a locally built car the introduction of MyLink, a new infotainment program that’s standard across the range.
In addition to being able to call up stored songs from a phone or MP3 player and FM/AM stations via the car radio, when a mobile device with 3G data connection is hooked up to the MyLink system, the driver will also be able to stream digital content from applications including Pandora music radio and Stitcher on-demand radio.
Drivers can access Pandora through the MyLink touch-screen, streaming favourite radio stations as well as using the ‘thumb up’ and ‘thumb down’ buttons to tune station preferences or select music genres. They can also pick out the next track via a steering wheel button or the touch-screen controls.
Via the Stitcher embedded app, drivers can choose from more than 15,000 news, comedy, sports and talk radio shows and podcasts.
Occupants can settle in a range of supportive seats and are protected by active and passive safety systems such as electronic stability control, antilock braking, electronic brakeforce distribution, traction control and brake assist.
A sound insulated, lit luggage space provides 445 litres of storage in the sedan and 413 litres in the hatch with the rear seat backs up.
At the launch in Tasmania, it was a Vivaldi sort of day – four seasons in one – as the Cruze convoy snaked out of Hobart.
Over the next 24 hours or so and more than 500 kilometres the motoring media were introduced to a range of MY14 models on some of the best and most testing roads in the country.
While the 1.4, 1.8 petrol and 2.0-litre diesel engines hooked up to a mix of manual or automatic transmissions had the Cruze skipping along the narrow twisty roads at full tilt, it was the sporty 1.6 petrol turbo six-speed manual that offered the most driving satisfaction.
All the 230 Nm of torque was put to good use running down slower traffic.
With 31 models selling for less than $30,000, the Cruze MY14, which goes on sale in April, faces a congested small-car market where competition is red hot.
