CRUZE CAN CRUISE WITH THE BIG BOYS

By Autonet.ca - While the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze may not have GM's rivals quaking in their boots, neither are they laughing up their sleeves. Designed and engineered in Korea and Germany and made in America, Cruze is a good example of just what the General can do when it uses all its global assets. As proof, there are all those international awards Cruze has won.

Accolades: If you look at the numbers recorded by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) in its 2011 Canadian Car of the Year competition, you'd wonder how the Cruze won its Best New Small Car over $21,000 category. Each of its four competitors was faster, both from zero to 100 km/h and from 80-120. The Honda CR-Z delivered superior fuel economy, the Scion tC had better braking, the Kia Forte5 more cargo space and the Nissan Juke generated far more horsepower and torque.

But Cruze is a very pleasing package. So pleasing, in fact, the AJAC judges named it not only the winner in its category, but then 2011 Canadian Car of the Year.

Cost: The fact it cost just $21,190, as tested, certainly had something to do with its victory, but no more than the overall quality of the car with its handsome interior, surprisingly good handling and class-leading safety features.

Cruze prices start at $14,995 and only the entry level LS gets a normally aspirated 1.8-litre inline four cylinder engine that generates 136 hp and 123 lb.-ft. of torque.

Power: Our test car is an LT Turbo identical to the models AJAC evaluated for Car of the Year. On a 600-km round trip, where time is of the essence, I register 7.6 L/100km. Slowing it down a little, I average 6.9 for the last 365 km -- on a combination of city streets, country roads and superhighways.

Looks: Cruze looks like a smaller version of the midsize Chevrolet Malibu. It drives like a much bigger car and has been engineered to be ultra quiet.

For heated power seats, automatic climate control and leather you have to spend $24,780 and move up to the LTZ Turbo.