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The hatch had been specifically engineered for Australian driving styles and road conditions. Photo Gallery
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Chris Riley road tests and reviews the new Holden Cruze hatch.
Given the runaway success of the sedan, it’s difficult to see the hatchback version of Holden’s new Cruze failing. At the very least it will be the icing on the cake for what is fast becoming Holden’s biggest selling model. More likely it will see combined sales of the hatch and sedan overtake the beloved Commodore as Australia’s best selling car sometime next year.
At the moment Cruze currently holds down the number three position in the charts behind the Mazda3 which is also available as a hatch and sedan. They’re big boots to fill, but Cruze has shown it is more than up to the job since its launch in 2008 and especially since the switch to local production earlier this year.
WHAT’S NEW?
Bluetooth is now standard across the range. It features voice control for some functions including dial, redial, save and the addition of voice tags. Two new colours have been added: Perfect Blue, a bright solid blue based on Peter Brock’s Formula Blue, replaces Voodoo, and Chlorophyll, a metallic teal, replaces Poison Ivy. Local tuning has led to numerous changes especially to the front suspension to improve, steering response, handling and ride quality that have been adopted overseas.
WHAT’S DIFFERENT?
The hatch had been specifically engineered for Australian driving styles and road conditions. It’s about 8cm shorter than the sedan but weigh 14kg more model for model. The roofline is actually slightly higher than the sedan providing more headroom that makes getting in and out easier, but sweeping lines give the car a lower raked appearance. You can also drop the rear seat to carry much larger and longer loads.
A tyre re-inflation kit is provided for punctures, but a full size spare is available as a no cost option. The trade-off is reduced luggage space, because a raised boot floor is fitted to accommodate it.
WHERE’S IT BUILT?
In Australia at Holden’s Elizabeth plant in South Australia on the same line as the sedan and the Commodore. They also build the hatch in Korea, Russia and soon Brazil where it is badged as a Chevrolet. Local Cruze production has been ramped up to 185 vehicles a day of which 50 per cent are hatches. The same plant produces about 300 Commodores a day for domestic consumption.
WHAT’S THE PRICE?
Prices start at $21,240 plus on road costs for the five-speed manual CD. model. Next one up is the CDX priced from $24,740 followed by the SRi priced from $24,990 and top of the line SRi-V priced from $28,490. But for a limited time you can get the entry level five-speed manual CD for a special driveaway price of $21,990 ($23,990 for the auto).
WHAT’S IT GO LIKE?
Impressive ride quality. Feels like a bigger car than it is. The entry level 1.8-litre model offers adequate performance and good A to B transport, but manual gear changes are required to get the best out of it, especially the auto.
The 1.4 offers a much sportier drive experience. The slick, easy to use six-speed manual shift will appeal to enthusiasts. It offers strong throttle response, but there’s lacks torque coming out of corners in second gear before the turbo catches up. Couldn’t hear the sporty exhaust note with this one either?
The diesel feels smoother than we remember and represents good value to those commuting long distances to work. It’s quiet, comfortable and won’t eat you out of house and home and with all that torque offers a relaxing, unstressed drive experience.
IS IT SAFE?
You bet. Full five stars just like the sedan, with stability control, traction control, six airbags and anti-lock brakes, electronic brake force distribution and a collapsible pedal assembly.
WHICH IS THE PICK?
Three engines from which to chose - a 104kW/176Nm 1.8-litre petrol four, 103kW/200Nm 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol and 120kW/360Nm 2.0-litre turbo diesel, all paired with either a six-speed manual or six-speed auto - except the entry level car which gets a five-speed manual. The auto allows the driver to change gears manually too.
The 1.8 is all about price. It’s the cheapest one to get into and offers excellent value for money, with airconditioning, automatic lights, voice controlled Bluetooth, cruise control, steering wheel cruise and audio controls and 6-speaker audio with a USB input that supports iPods - not to mention five-star safety.
In terms of performance the 1.4 manual is a sweet thing, with electric steering and a sportier Watts Link rear suspension setup. You get these improvements with the lower priced CD model too. SRi and SRi-V models also get 17 inch alloys and the sports body kit. Give the auto a try too because it has been recalibrated to improve driveability.
But if your focus is fuel economy the diesel is a laydown mesiere at 5.6 litres/100km for the manual and 6.7 litres/100km for the auto (auto is the pick). The diesel currently accounts for about 10 per cent of sales in the sedan.
HOLDEN CRUZE HATCH
Price: $21,240-$30,740
Warranty: Three years/unlimited km
Resale: N/A
Service: 12 months/15,000km
Thirst: 6.4-7.4 litres/100km 91RON, 5.6-6.7 lites/100km diesel
Safety: Five-star ANCAP rating, six airbags, stability and traction control, ABS with EBD,
Engines: 1.8-litre four-cylinder, 104kW/176Nm; 1.4-litre turbo four-cylinder, 103kW/200Nm; 2.0-litre turbodiesel four-cylinder, 120kW/360Nm
Transmissions: Five-speed manual (1.8), six-speed manual, six-speed automatic
Body: Five-door hatch
Dimensions: 4518-4542mm (L), 1797mm (W), 1477mm (H), 2685mm (WB), 1539-1545mm/1561-1567mm tracks front/rear
Weight: 1387-1578kg
Wheels: 16x6.5, 17x7
Spare: Tyre inflation kit/no-cost full-size spare.
OTHERS TO CONSIDER
Mazda3
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Price: From $20,330
Engines: 2.0-litre four-cylinder, 108kW/182Nm; 2.0-litre “Skyactiv” four-cylinder, 113kW/194Nm; 2.5-litre four-cylinder, 122kW/227Nm; 2.2-litre turbodiesel four-cylinder, 110kW/360Nm;
Transmissions: Six-speed-manual, five-speed auto, six-speed-auto (Skyactiv)
Body: Four-door sedan, five-door hatch
Thirst: 7.9-8.6 litres/100km 91 RON; 5.7 litres/100km diesel
"The class-leader is the driving enthusiast’s benchmark but, SP20 aside, is starting to date"
Toyota Corolla
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Price: From $20,990
Engines: 1.8-litre four-cylinder, 100kW/175Nm; 2.0-litre four-cylinder, 102kW/189Nm
Transmissions: Six-speed manual, four-speed auto
Body: Four-door sedan, five-door hatch
Thirst: 7.3-7.7 litres/100km
“The middle-of-the-road option for those looking for reliable if uninspiring motoring”
Hyundai i30
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Price: From $19,590
Engines: 2.0-litre four-cylinder, 105kW/186Nm; 1.6-litre turbodiesel four-cylinder, 85kW/255Nm
Transmissions: Five-speed manual four-speed auto
Body: Five-door hatch, five-door wagon
Thirst: 7.2-7.7 litres/100km, 91RON, 4.7-6.0 litres/100km diesel
“Still worth looking at, but the 2007 Carsguide CoTY will step up again with a new model next year”
