Chevrolet Cruze buyers, among other things, pay attention to its luggage compartment. Naturally, this point is not decisive for everyone, but it cannot be discounted. So, it is necessary to consider the main advantages and disadvantages of the luggage compartment.
Advantages of the trunk
The trunk of a Chevrolet Cruze sedan has a volume of 450 liters - a good figure, although not a record holder. It is quite comfortable, the floor is flat, and its rectangular shape, without obvious protrusions, makes it possible to optimally stow luggage, while the backrest of the rear sofa that folds in a 3:4 ratio allows you to transport large loads. There is also a full-size spare wheel.
The trunk volume of the Chevrolet Cruze hatchback is 413 liters, but with the seats folded it increases to 883 liters. Overall the trunk is comfortable. It is rectangular, which allows you to place maximum cargo. This can be seen in the interior photo and luggage compartment.
The trunk of the station wagon in the standard position can accommodate 500 liters of luggage, and with the rear sofa folded out - 1483 liters, which is enough to transport everything you need. Stowing belongings is also convenient - the floor is flat, there are no humps. Protruding elements too.
Flaws
There are also some downsides. The Chevrolet Cruze did not escape this either.
This list can include the crescent-shaped hinges of the trunk lid (in the case of a sedan). They go down and eat up part of the volume. And this limits the possibilities of using the compartment. Reviews of the Chevrolet Cruze are full of complaints about the Chevrolet Cruze trunk release button, which often fails. In addition, the extended rear bumper on the station wagon makes it difficult to load luggage.
Summarize
In general, the advantages of a car trunk are much greater than the disadvantages.
One of the most painful issues when choosing a car is ground clearance. When buying a Chevrolet Cruze, especially in a station wagon, we subconsciously count on its universal use and safe transportation of any kind of cargo. But we shouldn’t overestimate the capabilities of our car and we need to be aware that this is far from an SUV, but basically a city car. How much you can increase the ground clearance on a Chevrolet Cruze and how to do it, we will figure it out together.
Standard Chevrolet Cruze ground clearance - high or low?
Real ground clearance of the Chevrolet Cruze.
Few. For our roads, frankly not enough. Let us recall that ground clearance is theoretically called the distance from the reference plane to the lowest point of the body. Korean engineers considered that 140 mm ground clearance would be sufficient for any body and any Chevrolet Cruze engine. To be more convincing, we present a factory table with the clearance value for Cruise.
Factory clearance values for Chevrolet Cruze.
Moreover, until 2009, for several years the clearance on all modifications was stated at 145 mm, after which this value was revised in favor of 140 mm and this was not done in vain.
It is with this height of the body above the ground that our car receives optimal aerodynamic characteristics, the lowest possible fuel consumption, tolerable stability and handling, and stability on the highway when driving at high speeds. The engineers know their stuff.
Body points
If we set a goal and measure the clearance in detail at each point of the body, we get the following picture for an unloaded stock car:
- the clearance under the bottom of the car at the lowest point, taking into account the engine protection and muffler, is 160 mm;
- distance from the ground to the lower edge of the front bumper 140 mm;
- from the ground to the lower edge of the rear bumper 200 mm.
In principle, it’s not so critical, but many are still obsessed with the idea of raising the Chevrolet Cruze even higher.
Why "bully"?
With all this, when compared with classmates, Cruz is not so squat, since it is more than 160-180 mm There simply cannot be any ground clearance on a standard passenger car, but for a medium-sized crossover the normal ground clearance is in the range of 200-230 mm. A decent SUV on a frame and with solid axles may have 300-350 mm under the bottom, but these are completely different cars with completely different tasks and you shouldn’t envy them.
Due to the low stance of the Chevrolet Cruze, you need to be careful when parking.
On the other hand, we do not live in the States or in Germany, where the roads are as smooth as a mirror, and the city infrastructure in life will not be a problem in the form of a 300 mm curb in the parking lot or a hole in the middle of the road, a rut after a ZIL or an incredibly high speed bump . That's why For many, immediately after purchasing a car, the question arises of how to increase ground clearance with little expense, without buying an SUV, in order to maintain the safety and integrity of the body, suspension components and bumpers. There are several relatively safe ways to increase ground clearance. More about them below.
Ways to enlarge
If, however, there is no way to tolerate such clearance, You can consider several ways to increase ground clearance. Each of them, of course, will have its own disadvantages, since in any case we will be interfering with the architecture and geometry of the suspension, design parameters aerodynamics and stability. Nevertheless, here they are.
Changing wheels
This is the safest and most sane method of increasing ground clearance.
The point is that when we have disks installed on 16 inches, and we change them to 17 -inch, then with the same tire height the ground clearance increases by approximately 10 mm.
Accordingly, if you replace the 15th disks with 17th ones, we get an increase in clearance of approximately 20 mm. At the same time, do not forget that the height of the tire should be such that the rubber does not reach the wheel arches when loading.
Replacing wheel rims is one of the safe and simple methods of increasing ground clearance.
Disadvantage of replacing tires with higher and non-standard ones There may be problems with the accuracy of the speedometer and odometer readings, and this can also lead to incorrect operation of ABS and ESP. The advantage is that you can gain 20 mm of clearance without changing the suspension geometry and without changing the forces on the chassis elements.
Replacing springs and struts
The method is expensive and labor-intensive, although today you can choose sets of struts and springs of almost any height and with any characteristics.
Another thing is how constant velocity joints will react to this, because they are designed for a certain average operating angle of torque transmission, and changing it can lead to accelerated wear of the CV joints. And the fact itself raising the center of gravity will lead to changes in the stability and roll of the body in corners. In any case, you shouldn’t get carried away and 20-35 mm is quite enough to lift our Cruze to a safe distance above the road.
We put inserts into the springs (spacers)
Inexpensive, but not too expensive effective method. It consists of installing intercoil inserts in the springs of the front and rear struts. This thing looks something like this, but it costs about 2-3.5 thousand rubles per pair .
Increasing ground clearance by installing intercoil inserts in the springs.
The insert can be made of rubber, polyurethane and other composite materials.
The disadvantage of such a system is that the spring will not work over the entire height, therefore, the suspension characteristics will change, the car will become stiffer, and the load on the suspension and chassis elements will increase.
Trying spacers for struts
One of the simplest, but not the safest methods. Again, you don’t need to get too carried away and don’t try to raise the body above 30 mm.
The method is ridiculously simple - spacers of the required thickness are installed between the body and the shock absorber strut at the front and between the body and the spring at the rear.
The price of spacers depends on the material from which they are made. Whether it will be polyurethane, ebonite, anodized aluminum, steel, rubber or ABS plastic, everyone decides for themselves.
One of the simplest methods of increasing the ground clearance of a Chevrolet Cruze is to install spacers.
Each material has disadvantages and advantages. For example, rubber spacers are the cheapest, do not cause corrosion, do not deform the mating planes of the body, but wear out quickly. Polyurethane is more rigid, so thicker spacers can be used, but their price is higher, and metal spacers will corrode and deform the body.
The average price of a set of spacers for a Chevrolet Cruze is about 3-4 thousand. But you need to take into account that when raising the body by 20-30 mm, it will be necessary to install a stud adapter on the shock absorber rod, although, most likely, it is already included in the kit.
Video about increasing the ground clearance of a Chevrolet Cruze
We conclude: The ground clearance on a Chevrolet Cruze can be increased, but in order to ensure that the car does not lose controllability, stability, aerodynamics and that the suspension characteristics and CV joint angles do not change, we do not increase the clearance by more than 20-30 mm. Comfortable trips and smooth roads to everyone!
2013 model year
The long-awaited replacement for the Chevrolet Lacetti took place at the Paris Motor Show in October 2008. A sedan was presented to car enthusiasts; the Chevrolet Cruze hatchback appeared only two years later, in 2010, in the same place, in Paris. The Chevrolet Cruze station wagon debuted at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show.
Chevrolet Cruze sedan
More about new Chevrolet products:
Cruz is thrown into the battlefield for the buyer in the most crowded and competitive European C-class. For Russian car enthusiasts, the Chevrolet Cruze is produced at the GM plant in Shushary near St. Petersburg, the current model will remain the same in the 2013 model year. Let's look at the American Korean through the eyes of potential owners.
Chevrolet Cruze hatchback
Teiwan Kim, a car designer who previously worked for FIAT, has been working at the Korean branch of GM since 2006 and is the mastermind designer of the new model. . Before Cruise, T. Kim also contributed his efforts to creating the appearance of the Chevrolet Matiz and Chevrolet Aveo. The new design has nothing in common with the boring Chevrolet Lacetti. A review of the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze can begin with the courageous front of the car with a two-story false radiator grille, harmonizing with a brutal bumper and original-shaped headlights. The slight squinting of the front lighting gives the car confidence bordering on aggression. The muscular front wheel arches flow into the calm sides of the body. It is clearly visible even from the photo that the sedan and hatchback differ from each other only in the design of the stern. The coupe-shaped roof (a fashionable feature nowadays) descends to the small trunk lid of the sedan, the hatchback roof line harmoniously flows into the fifth door. There was clearly not enough aggression on the rear of the Cruze. The rear of the Cruise in a sedan looks lean, but the simple rear bumper and dull lighting equipment are discordant with the courageous front of the car. The 2013 Chevrolet Cruze hatchback looks more interesting in the rear; the sloping roof gives the silhouette a beautiful, complete image. The original lighting lamps are like drops, the bumper with stampings and reflectors continues the sportiness of the front end.
The Cruze sedan and hatchback with their dimensions are very close to the dimensions of a car of the “older” class-D.
Chevrolet Cruze dimensions: length #8211; sedan 4597 (hatch 4510) mm, width #8211; 1788 (1797) mm, height #8211; 1477 mm, base #8211; 2685 mm.
Ground clearance (ground clearance) is #8211; 155 mm.
Ergonomics and interior trim
Inside, Cruz pleases with pleasant-to-touch finishing materials. The steering wheel is a copy of the Opel Insignia steering wheel, the dashboard architecture with smooth lines and the concept of placement of controls also echoes it. The fabric inserts on the front panel look original. Beautiful and informative devices, their illumination at night pleases the eye and decorates the interior of the Chevrolet Cruze. The front seats are comfortable, with a wide range of adjustments, plus the steering wheel moves in four directions. It will not be difficult for the driver to get comfortable. The back row can accommodate three, but the middle passenger will not be able to sit comfortably. Surprisingly, with such a large base, legroom in the second row #8211; in short supply. People taller than average may experience unpleasant “pressure” at the top of a sloping roof.
The trunk of the Chevrolet Cruze sedan has a useful volume of 450 liters.
The trunk volume of the hatchback body is smaller #8211; 413 liters, but folding the rear row results in 883 liters of useful cargo volume.
Specifications and test
Key technical characteristics of the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze: the car is built on the new Delta II platform. The front suspension is independent with an A-shaped lower arm (made of aluminum) and a McPherson strut, the rear suspension is semi-independent with a torsion beam. Front and rear disc brakes with ABS. The Russian Cruze is equipped with two Ecotec petrol engines from Opel reserves (used in the Opel Astra H since 2007).
Chevrolet Cruze engines: 1.6 (109 hp) or 1.8 (141 hp), both can operate with a choice of 5-speed manual or 6-speed automatic. The car is offered in three trim levels: Base, LS, LT.
The Chevrolet Cruze suspension demonstrates good energy intensity, sufficient elasticity and rigidity. The steering wheel is sharp, one might even say nervous. The steering requires careful handling. The reaction of the wheels to sudden manipulations of the steering wheel is instantaneous; the poor quality of the road surface is transmitted to the rim of the steering wheel. The car test shows European chassis settings. The Cruze brakes reliably and confidently, although the front end noticeably bites.
Cons of the car: nervous steering wheel, poor basic equipment.
Pros: excellent handling, interesting design, comfortable interior.
Price for 2012 and 2013
Base (sedan) costs from 572,000 rubles (ABC, 4 airbags, front windows, CD/MP3, height-adjustable steering column), additional payment for air conditioning is 25,900 rubles.
The cost of the LS 1.6 sedan is from 645,000 rubles, Cruze LS (sedan) 1.8 is from 690,700 rubles, Cruze LT (sedan) is from 744,000 rubles.
The cost of the Cruise hatchback Base is estimated at 548,000 rubles, richly equipped LT (hatchback) 1.8 (141 hp) with 6 automatic transmissions and leather interior costs 805,000 rubles.
In 2015, the American corporation General Motors announced the withdrawal of several of its brands from the Russian market, including the famous Chevrolet brand. In this regard, in Russia, the current Chevrolet Cruze station wagon is considered to be the first generation model - we are talking about a model that was released only 4 years after the debut of the sedan of the same name, namely in 2012. If the Russian Federation had not once been affected by the economic crisis, which hit many automakers hard, then Russians would most likely now have the opportunity to purchase a more modern second-generation station wagon, first presented to the general public in the summer of 2016, but, alas , the history of the subjunctive mood does not know... Therefore, in our review we will consider a first-generation car, which has long been not the rarest guest on Russian roads. Read on for all the details about it!
Design
We can talk a lot and for a long time about the design of the first Cruze, but one thing can be said about it for sure - for our days it is already rustic. But at the time when the station wagon had just appeared on the Russian market, such a design looked very interesting, especially taking into account the head optics of a very non-standard shape. Today, such optics will not surprise anyone, except that it will make you smile. If we compare it with the elegant lighting technology of the second generation model, which is now on sale in Europe, then it inevitably loses.
The radiator grille of the 2012 Cruze is simple, uncomplicated, with a signature “butterfly” in the middle. The round fog lamp sections are large, vertically oriented, and, as usual, with elegant chrome trim. In the next generation car, which is inaccessible to Russians, they are horizontally oriented, which makes them less conspicuous and does not distract attention from the main details of the exterior. The back of the “first-born” is not the most attractive, but no one is stopping her from giving her a discount for her “age”? As for the side view... Not a contender for the best place in the beauty contest, but it is a station wagon after all! The body, called a “barn” by many car enthusiasts, does not have to be extremely beautiful - after all, practicality is much more important for it. But in general, the car looks good - no worse or slightly worse than the overwhelming number of state employees often found in the vastness of our country.
Design
The 1st generation Cruze was built on the basis of the global Delta II platform. At the front there are McPherson struts with aluminum arms made in the shape of the letter A, and at the rear there is a twisted H-shaped beam - the same as the Opel Astra J, but without the Watt mechanism (a kind of split stabilizer lateral stability with a hinge in the center). Judging by numerous reviews from car owners and test drives, this design demonstrates a good balance between softness and hardness. Front-wheel drive by default.
Adaptation to Russian conditions
As one would expect from a no longer young state employee, the Cruze is clearly not well prepared for Russian realities. Only the front seats and side mirrors are heated, there is single-zone climate control with an air filter (in the “base” there is a regular air conditioner) and a modest full-size spare wheel on a steel disk, and the trunk holds from 500 to 1478 liters. luggage, and when the rear seats are folded, an almost flat floor is formed. This is where all the good news ends and the bad news begins: Cruze engines prefer exclusively expensive 95-octane gasoline, and the ground clearance does not exceed 140 mm, which, however, is quite normal for a city car.
Comfort
The first thing people notice in the salon is, of course, age. The rustic design along with the tough design screams loudly about it. plastic trim, combined with fabric inserts. The color of the inserts with fabric embroidery echoes the color of the inserts on the seats. Against the background of light decorative elements, dark ones look more advantageous and are not so budget-friendly. Other decorative elements of the interior, incl. and with chrome, they simply get lost here. The driver's seat is more or less comfortable; the seat height is adjustable. The front of the seat cushion is slightly raised, and therefore, if the driver sits low, his knees will be higher than desired. The steering wheel is adjustable for both tilt and reach, so adjusting the seat “to suit you” won’t be difficult. The steering wheel in the initial configuration is “bare,” while more expensive versions are equipped with a multifunctional “steering wheel” (“multi” is a strong word here) with leather trim and audio system buttons.
The instrument panel is illuminated in Chevrolet's signature turquoise color. There are no complaints about the readability of the instruments, either day or night, but the same cannot be said about the central display - its brightness in the dark is off the charts, and in broad daylight the indications on the display are practically invisible. In general, this suggests a more modern instrument panel and a “rich” on-board computer. The back seat of the Cruze will be a bit cramped for three people, but just right for two people! In the center, it is best to place a teenager or child in a child car seat (Isofix mounts are attached by default), who is unlikely to be embarrassed by the transmission tunnel protruding slightly from the floor. There is not much free legroom in the 2nd row, but it is enough. Conveniences for rear riders include air ducts for the legs and a folding armrest with a pair of cup holders.
To correctly assess the level of safety of the first-generation Cruze station wagon, you should focus on the results of crash tests of the sedan of the same name. In crash tests conducted in 2009 by the European independent organization Euro NCAP, the sedan earned 5 out of 5 stars. Detailed Euro NCAP test results look like this: driver or adult passenger protection - 96%, child passenger protection - 84%, pedestrian protection - 34%, electronic assistants - 71%. Standard safety equipment on the Cruze includes front airbags, an anti-lock braking system (ABS), a rain sensor and cruise control. For an additional fee, side and ceiling airbags, a stabilization system (ESP), a parking sensor and a rear video view are offered.
In the basic configuration, the Cruze is equipped with a regular CD player with radio and 6 speakers, and the top version gets a full-fledged MyLink multimedia complex. The media system, of course, is far from the most modern, without compatibility with iPhones, voice control and other fashionable things, but still not bad. The driver and passengers have access to a color touch screen with control buttons on the steering wheel, a rear view camera, AUX/USB inputs and Bluetooth for connecting mobile devices. The sound of the media system does not inspire a great love for music, but for long trips it is quite suitable.
Chevrolet Cruze Station Wagon Technical specifications
The current range of station wagon engines consists of two petrol 16-valve fours that meet Euro-5 environmental standards. The base engine is a 1.6-liter 124-horsepower (154 Nm at 4200 rpm), compatible only with a five-speed manual transmission. Top-end 1.8-liter engine with output of 141 hp. (176 Nm at 3800 rpm) is paired with both a 5-speed manual transmission and a six-speed automatic transmission. The dynamics with any of them are quite mediocre - definitely not for those who like too active driving. The average “certified” fuel consumption for gasoline modifications is from 6.5 to 7.1 liters. per 100 km. The Russian version of Cruze lacks the diesel engines that its European counterpart has. The reason is simple: General Motors initially feared that diesel modifications would be much more expensive than gasoline ones, which is why they would not be in great demand.
For a certain group of motorists, when choosing a Chevrolet Cruze, one of the important criteria is its luggage compartment. Having a spacious compartment is extremely important for builders and taxi drivers, sales representatives and individual entrepreneurs, owners of personal plots and country houses.
Let us tell you why the trunk of this car attracts its owners.
Luggage compartment volume in Chevrolet Cruze
This popular model of the famous American brand General Motors has three modifications: sedan, hatchback and station wagon. Each of them is in certain demand among car enthusiasts. However, the dimensions of this cargo compartment vary slightly from each other.
I would like to note that these data correspond to all generations of the model with serial number J300, including the restyled version.
GM currently produces the Cruze with serial number J400. Since the Russian automobile market has ceased to be of interest to the manufacturers of this American brand, such a modification does not appear in our review.
Cruz has the most spacious compartment for carrying cargo in the Chevrolet family, and the station wagon model is the undisputed leader in this indicator among most C-class brands. Therefore, fans prefer this car.
For those for whom such space under the trunk lid is not enough, we offer best option with an increase in its size: transformation of the rear row seats.
The car enthusiast will receive a significant gain in additional liters of luggage space.
There is little information about the second generation Cruze, released for foreign markets, in our car reviews. We can only mention that the new hatchback has acquired a substantial trunk. In the standard and transformed versions, its parameters inspire respect: 643/1336 hp.
Advantages
You should remember this nuance. When measuring volume, say in a station wagon, the space up to the shelf is taken into account. Nobody forbids using the upper part of the compartment. It is often used for storing long building materials, the ends of which fit well in the cabin under the feet of the front seat passenger. The volume indicator in this case increases significantly.
The Chevrolet trunk compares favorably with similar compartments in other brands. In the photo we can see that its area is of the correct shape. Wheel arches do not take up space, which allows you to rationally place various luggage. Conveniently located lighting. It diffuses light well throughout the entire space, which makes it possible to see the contents of the compartment in the evening. The spare wheel is securely “hidden” under the lower floor trim.
The size of the standard luggage compartment in a station wagon is approximately one meter by one meter. If you place skis, bars, profiles and other things diagonally to the nose of the car, you get solid dimensions. Three-meter luggage can be freely transported to its destination.
We can also note minor shortcomings of manufacturers in this aspect. In the sedan, the trunk lid is closed using arched brackets. These products take up a certain amount of space.
In a station wagon, it is not entirely convenient to stow cargo in the spacious compartment: the protruding rear bumper gets in the way.
As a tuning element, a molding is installed on the trunk lid. For the same purpose, the Cruz sedan is equipped with a spoiler, which adds aesthetic perception to the already beautiful appearance of the car. 
Roof rack for Chevrolet Cruze
For those for whom such substantial volumes are still not enough, manufacturers give motorists the opportunity to thoroughly load their car. For this purpose, the Cruze is equipped with a roof rack.
It should be noted that when choosing one, the car enthusiast needs to remember this nuance: the roof rack, for example, for a hatchback and a sedan differ in size, based on the dimensions of the car itself. Manufacturers indicate the identity of the product in the instructions.
When purchasing, you will have to rack your brains about choosing a model. There are a large number of them. In addition to the original version, the price of which is approximately 6 thousand rubles, there are various models that differ in material and type of construction.
Let's list the most attractive of them.
- “Lux” – about 3.7 thousand rubles.
- "Atlant" - 4.8 thousand rubles.
- Inter Favorit – 2.8 thousand rubles.
- Amos Alfa – 3.6 thousand rubles.
Products with the model emblem are especially popular among Cruze owners. There are also options with a luggage net for transporting bulky goods.
The devices are easily attached under the rubber lining behind the door opening or roof rails of any type of car. Their steel construction is particularly durable and allows you to load a significant load on the roof of the car. Removing and installing the trunk is very simple. Anyone, even a novice car enthusiast, can do this. The mounting points are finished with rubberized inserts, so you don’t have to worry about scratching the car.
They differ among themselves in the width of the grips, the color and shape of the arches. There are chrome or black options, wing-shaped or rectangular. All of them are distinguished by their aerodynamic qualities and do not bother the driver with noise when driving at high speed.
In addition to the usual standard and oversized luggage, you can attach a cargo box to the roof rack, protecting its contents from water and dust with a tight lid.
What to do if the trunk does not open? Device repair
Cars, in addition to their attractive qualities, have problem areas that have to be repaired. The Chevrolet Cruze is no exception in this matter. The “weak link” for the model, judging by the reviews of the owners, is the luggage compartment opening button.
A “popular” fault is to repair this part. You also have to adjust the lock itself. The reasons for the malfunction can be different: the button itself does not work or functions poorly, the spring is defective, the limit switch that is in the lock design has failed, etc.
In addition, car enthusiasts ask for repairs to the luggage compartment lid shock absorbers. They may fail due to wear or mechanical stress.
The following can be advised to car owners. You can repair the trunk lid yourself; fortunately, there are a large number of step-by-step tutorials on the Internet for resuscitating such faults. However, this requires certain skills, tools and self-confidence. If the listed conditions are absent, then it is better to contact car service professionals who will a small amount will perform this service. The intervention of an amateur in this seemingly simple mechanism can aggravate the breakdown and increase the financial costs of repairs.