Holden Cruze First Impressions

[MatsHolden]

After having a good look over the Cruze I can say first impressions are that it's a good thing. Forget about any Daewoo crap, those days are gone. Looking at the car's exterior in the flesh it looks purposeful, definately not cheap or nasty. It's not ground breaking styling, but it's nice. Door opening feels positive with a quality feel as does the boot and bonnet. Panel gaps are very good.

The interior is what surprised me the most. It feels like a quality car, almost line ball with the current AH Astra. The dash layout feels fresh and the dials have a nice tight look about them. Steering wheel wise, it's got the new GM design DNA, and it feels very good. Quite small, making it feel like a wheel you're more likely to find in a sports orientated car. All controls and instruments are well placed ergonomically. Seats seem to be supportive from the brief time spent in them. Descent leg room in the rear. The leather interior added a touch of class, and the use of much higher quality materials and a lot less use of hard cheap plastics complete the feel of a solid, tight, quality feel interior. It really is a nice place to be.

Only thing I could fault on the interior for us tall guys is that the seating position is quite close to the side of the car and your head isn't far from the roof on the edge of the car.

So all in all, on the show room floor it is a great thing. Will be interesting to see if the mechanical package matches. But going just from the car itself, don't think of this as a Daewoo, those days are completely gone; think of this car as a new chapter and more of a GM global car. So far it looks like GM's investment in state of the art manufacturing facilities for these vehicles has paid off.


http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f320/MatsHolden/DSC03498.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f320/MatsHolden/DSC03497.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f320/MatsHolden/DSC03493.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f320/MatsHolden/DSC03494.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f320/MatsHolden/DSC03495.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f320/MatsHolden/DSC03496.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f320/MatsHolden/DSC03499.jpg

[Nurb608]

That actually looks really nice! Much better than some of GM Globals other attempts recently.

[Dee]

sure looks better than the old one (the suzuki ignis) inside and out

mum's is a 2004 model and she loves it. i can't bring myself to be seen in it tho

[MatsHolden]

sure looks better than the old one (the suzuki ignis) inside and out

mum's is a 2004 model and she loves it. i can't bring myself to be seen in it tho

Different car though Dee as you would obviously know. Just shares the same name. It's rediculous they've used the Cruze name here in Aus when Holden have already sold a completely different car labelled Cruze.

[Jerram]

Different car though Dee as you would obviously know. Just shares the same name. It's rediculous they've used the Cruze name here in Aus when Holden have already sold a completely different car labelled Cruze.


yeah and remember how much of a laff that was...

Picky, but I dunno if I like the dials. They looks empty. Yeah I know there are warning lights and the like inside them, but still too much grey.

[Brazza]

I had a look on the Holden site where there's a virtual "tour" of the car and I have to say I agree with Mat's assessment. The only thing I don't really like about it is the rear end but other than that it's good.

If I was looking at buying one though, I'd wait until 2010 when the locally produced ones start being sold instead of the south korean ones that we are getting this year.

[MatsHolden]

If I was looking at buying one though, I'd wait until 2010 when the locally produced ones start being sold instead of the south korean ones that we are getting this year.

I'd reserve that statement until we can compare... as the Korean built Cruze that we've got in the interim exceeds the Commodore's interior fit and finish in a lot of areas.

[pd-xc-72464118]

awful dash, horrid. it's like they were trying to design the inside of a spaceship car

[MatsHolden]

awful dash, horrid. it's like they were trying to design the inside of a spaceship car

Each to their own. But from a design point of view I like it and it's the trend many interiors are taking at the moment... ie. New Ford Fiesta.

[Jerram]

awful dash, horrid. it's like they were trying to design the inside of a spaceship car

I get your point. Too much "Korean Grey" as well, though probably looks better in the flesh.

[MatsHolden]

probably looks better in the flesh.

Yeah you're right. It does. The flash on the camera has washed out certain material finishes.

[USC]

Looks good...u reckon Holden will still bring the new gen astra when they have this??

[MatsHolden]

Looks good...u reckon Holden will still bring the new gen astra when they have this??

Yeah this is in addition to the Astra.

[Brazza]

Looks good...u reckon Holden will still bring the new gen astra when they have this??

I'm not 100% sure but I read somewhere this is supposed to replace the viva and sit below the astra in the range. Wouldn't be surprised if we didn't get the new astra though.

EDIT:

Yeah this is in addition to the Astra.
that's that solved then

[rjastra]

ISn't the dash/interior of the new Astra essentially the same as the Cruze?

Did they mention a price? I have heard < 22K and its very well specified.

[Vectracious]

I think it looks pretty good - pictures never show up the true qualities in a car - will look forward to seeing it in real life if I get a chance to head down to the motorshow.

[MatsHolden]

ISn't the dash/interior of the new Astra essentially the same as the Cruze?

Did they mention a price? I have heard < 22K and its very well specified.

It's very similar to all new GM dash/interiors. They're beginning to use common design DNA. Low-Mid 20k price bracket apparently and it's definately well specified.

Opel Astra
http://carsspyphotos.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/new-astra-interior.jpg

Opel Insignia
http://www.themotorreport.com.au/wp-content/gallery/opel-insignia/opel-insignia-interior-tmr-1.jpg

Chevrolet Spark
http://www.egmcartech.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/2010_chevrolet_spark_image_003.jpg

[xplosv57]

Dammit the ghey VE steering wheel is making it's way into every GM product!!

The new Cruze looks ok but still seems GM cars are going backwards in design, i mean compared to say a Vectra C which is 6 years old and still looks more modern than this new Cruze.......

[rjastra]

The new Cruze looks ok but still seems GM cars are going backwards in design, i mean compared to say a Vectra C which is 6 years old and still looks more modern than this new Cruze.......

In your opinion :) Vectra C looks very slab sided and poorly detailed. But that's my opinion :)

[Red AH SRI T]

Did the car with the leather interior also have the leather panels on the dash board?

[MatsHolden]

Did the car with the leather interior also have the leather panels on the dash board?

Not leather on the dash.

[Red AH SRI T]

Damn, cause i remember seeing spy pics of that had blue cloth inserts on the seats plus that repeated on the dash and another one with red leather and leather dash inserts over the passanger side airbag cover.

[MatsHolden]

Damn, cause i remember seeing spy pics of that had blue cloth inserts on the seats plus that repeated on the dash and another one with red leather and leather dash inserts over the passanger side airbag cover.

Yeah i've seen the red leather insert image.

http://www.egmcartech.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/spy_shots_chevrolet_cruze_interior_spotted.jpg

[Red AH SRI T]

thats the one. Thats a great interior!!

[rjastra]

Damn, cause i remember seeing spy pics of that had blue cloth inserts on the seats plus that repeated on the dash and another one with red leather and leather dash inserts over the passanger side airbag cover.


Hehehe, you really think that leather on the dashboard? Or just coloured inserts like the Commodore SS?

[poita]

i dont mind, as all will make up my mind when i see it in the flesh.
so far so good though

[SIMid]

Saw the Cruze today at TMMS.

Nope, not sold and the exterior is hidious. :rolleyes: The exterior styling is just shocking, especially the front. Interior is okay, but then, I prefer simplistic design. AH is kinda boring, but then, it will age nicely. Like most Audi and VW interiors, simple and elegant without trying too hard.

What made me laugh was on centerstage, they had a Cruze spinning around on the rotating table with not one person standing there to look at it. *LOL* They should of had all the girls from the BMW/Mitsubishi/Audi stand on the rotating table and draw a bigger crowd!

[Red AH SRI T]

Hehehe, you really think that leather on the dashboard? Or just coloured inserts like the Commodore SS?

Well i'm guessing since there was pics of a car with blue cloth inserts on the seats and the same material as the inserts on the dash!

Look at this interior pic, it has the same cloth on the dash that is on the seat!

http://image.motortrend.com/f/auto_shows/coverage/paris/11048970+w+soriginal/112_2008_paris_05z+2011_chevrolet_cruze_+interior. jpg


Matsholden, did u actually feel the dash to make sure it wasn't leather?

[Veccy01]

I've not had a great look at it, but from what I've seen, it seems to be ok...

But agree with others in the "cruze" senario where they have already used the name on something completely different...

[MatsHolden]

Well i'm guessing since there was pics of a car with blue cloth inserts on the seats and the same material as the inserts on the dash!

Look at this interior pic, it has the same cloth on the dash that is on the seat!

http://image.motortrend.com/f/auto_shows/coverage/paris/11048970+w+soriginal/112_2008_paris_05z+2011_chevrolet_cruze_+interior. jpg


Matsholden, did u actually feel the dash to make sure it wasn't leather?

Definately wasn't leather the one I was in.

[Red AH SRI T]

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f320/MatsHolden/DSC03493.jpg

hmm, see the lighter section where the airbag would come from.

And also this from www.holden.com.au/cruze

From the contoured sports seats with French seam stitching, to the matching insert on the front dash, the all new blah blah blah

[MatsHolden]

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f320/MatsHolden/DSC03493.jpg

hmm, see the lighter section where the airbag would come from.

And also this from www.holden.com.au/cruze (http://www.holden.com.au/cruze)

From the contoured sports seats with French seam stitching, to the matching insert on the front dash, the all new blah blah blah

Yeah doesn't feel like leather. I'll have another look this week.

[Red AH SRI T]

it's probably Pleather

[MatsHolden]

it's probably Pleather

Probably. Considering Merc use it.

[Red AH SRI T]

If its good enough for Mercedes then its good enough for GMDAT!!!!

[Wraith]

I actually walked straight past it yesterday at the show....so visually didn't grab at all externally, but upon inspection later, I really like the interior :) not attracted at all by its outside looks though :(

The dash instrument cluster design, ie. the 2 angle cut circles is becoming a common sight with alot of newer cars adopting a very similar design, the new Mazda 3 is very similar as are some new Hondas, the new Lancer is also similar and the Audi TT range (my sig)...AFAIK Merc was the 1st with that sort of dash dial design in their SLK range.

I also think the nameplate is out of place, as the last cruze was totally different :skep: