(Photo: Chevrolet)
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- Base price: $21,140
- 22.7 cubic feet of cargo space, about 63% more than the Cruze sedan
- Diesel engine and nine-speed automatic transmission due in late 2017
- On sale now
Chevrolet is confident in the hatchback because buyers are paying an average of $3,000 more for the sedan than they did for the previous model. The Cruze sedan went on sale in the summer and 43% of its buyers so far are new to Chevrolet, marketing boss Chris Biggs said.
The hatchback is 8.4 inches shorter than the sedan. It has 22.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, nearly 66% more than the sedan. Cargo space soars to 47.2 cubic feet with the rear seat folded.
► Related: 2017 Chevy Cruze hatchback starts at $22,190, goes on sale this fall
The passenger compartment has plenty of headroom and two inches more rear legroom than the Ford Focus and Hyundai Elantra. Hatchbacks account for about 15% of U.S. compact car sales, including 50,000 Focuses and 30,000 Mazda 3s annually.
The Cruze hatchback initially comes with a 153 hp 1.4L turbocharged four-cylinder engine and six-speed manual or automatic transmission.
A 1.6L diesel linked to a nine-speed automatic or six-speed manual will be available a year from now as a 2018 model.
2017 Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback (Photo: Chevrolet)
Volkswagen’s problems for rigging the emissions of its diesels “creates an opportunity for us” to gain new buyers with the fuel-efficient engine next year, Chevrolet chief Alan Batey said.
Standard features include blind spot and cross traffic alerts, a backup camera, lane keeping assist, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, touch screen and pushbutton start. Two years satellite radio, Wi-Fi and OnStar service are standard.
On the road, the hatchback is quiet and confident. The steering provides quick response, good feedback and on-center feel. It’s quiet at highway speeds and over rough pavement, with a smooth ride that absorbs bumps.
The wedgy hatchback’s wide stance, flowing lines and forward-leaning profile look poised and capable. Look for Chevrolet to add features to attract performance-oriented buyers.
Chevrolet Cruze hatchback at a Glance:
Base price: $21,240 (excluding destination charge)
Length: 175.3 ins.
Wheelbase: 106.3 ins.
Width: 70.5 ins.
Engine: 153-hp, 177 lb-ft 1.4L turbocharged gasoline engine
Transmission: Six-speed manual or automatic
EPA rating: : 29 mpg city/38 highway/ 32 with automatic transmission. Regular gasoline.
0-60 m.p.h.: 7.7 seconds
Assembled in Lordstown, Ohio.
Competes with: Ford Focus hatchback, Honda Civic hatchback, Hyundai Elantra GT, Kia Forte hatchback, Mazda 3 hatchback, Nissan Sentra, Toyota Corolla, Volkswagen Golf