2012 Chevy Cruze Fuel Economy Upped to 38-MPG, Matching Ford Focus

14103 Views 38 Replies 24 Participants Last post by Macman, May 15, 2012

AutoGuide.com

Discussion Starter · Apr 18, 2011

When Chevy first brought the Cruze to America, there were bold promises of 40-mpg. Then GM proudly boasted that the special Cruze Eco would get an astonishing 42-mpg.

Unfortunately that Eco model costs plenty more than the standard vehicle and only the 6-speed manual model (of which approximately six will be sold) gets the 42-mpg mark, while the auto-box Eco is rated at a less dramatic 38-mpg. As for the Cruze most people will look at buying, it received an official 36-mpg rating by the EPA.

An alarmingly good number just a few years ago, with the launch of a new Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra and Honda Civic, it's already nearing the back of the pack. Chevy aims to change this for 2012, upping the Cruze's highway mpg rating by 2 for a 38-mpg total. The Cruze ECO model with an automatic transmission will also get a slight bump and will now be rated at 39-mpg.

More: 2012 Chevy Cruze Fuel Economy Upped to 38-MPG, Matching Ford Focus on AutoGuide.com

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1 - 20 of 39 Posts

robertbick

· #2 · Apr 18, 2011

And what did they change to achieve that 38MPG's??? I think most folks here can't achieve 36MPG.

SilverCruzer

· #3 · Apr 18, 2011

robertbick said:
And what did they change to achieve that 38MPG's??? I think most folks here can't achieve 36MPG.

My guess is a taller top gear, one that does lower RPM's at 70 mph.

Reactions: 1

70AARCUDA

· #4 · Apr 18, 2011

...time to go searching for the "specs" that'll "...tell the tale..."

Big Tom

· #5 · Apr 18, 2011

Hope we can retrofit for fuel milage.

70AARCUDA

· #6 · Apr 18, 2011

...would be better if it only required a reprogramming!!!

GM_6T40_Trans_Engineer

· #7 · Apr 18, 2011

robertbick said:
And what did they change to achieve that 38MPG's??? I think most folks here can't achieve 36MPG.

Improved powertrain efficiency.

70AARCUDA

· #8 · Apr 18, 2011

GM_6T40_Trans_Engineer said:
Improved powertrain efficiency.

...reduced "pass-thru" losses.

cruze 2011

· #9 · Apr 18, 2011

so is this something that could be done to our cars ?? because iam getting tired of my cars trans jerking between gears and harsh downshifts

RS LTZ

· #10 · Apr 19, 2011

cruze 2011 said:
so is this something that could be done to our cars ?? because iam getting tired of my cars trans jerking between gears and harsh downshifts

That will smooth out over time. It took about 2500 miles or so on mine to get where it's barley noticeable. It's just the transmissions learning stage, for some reason it's a lot longer on the Cruze than most other new cars.

Just be patient and drive normally, it'll work itself out.

Cruzzer

· #11 · Apr 19, 2011

RS LTZ

· #12 · Apr 19, 2011

Cruzzer said:
YouTube - 2011 Chevrolet Cruze vs 2012 Ford Focus - Comparison

I disagree with them wholeheartedly on nearly everything. I like the exterior and interior much better. I looked that the Focus and thought it was the bland one to be honest other than it's infotainment system (which is actually pretty slick), and I'm 23, so I'd be part of that so called "younger generation". I like the wheels on the focus, but their just plain Jane fivers. The LTZ wheels have a little more to them that sets up the car right IMO.

Although I do agree with them on the RS Spoiler, it doesn't do a whole lot for me, but it's better than nothing in my eyes.

Also, some of their facts were wrong. The Chrome handles are part of the LTZ package, not RS.

cruze 2011

· #13 · Apr 19, 2011

i have 7500 miles on my car how much longer do i need to WAIT????

Jewel Red 5

· #14 · Apr 19, 2011

Just another set of ford fans reviewing the cruze beating up the cruze and Chevy they forgot to tell you about all the bells and whistles and the advancements the cruze has only 1.4 motor, very quite interior, leather heated seats, remote start, 250 watt 9 speaker pioneer sound and a auto trans that adapts to the way you drive, here is only a few, but it was easily overlooked, I bet anything they both drive or owen

fords.

Cruzemeister

· #15 · Apr 20, 2011

cruze 2011 said:
i have 7500 miles on my car how much longer do i need to WAIT????

I assume you're asking about the trans shifting smoothing out? Mine started behaving at about 800 miles. I have 1400 on now and I would have to say it's the way a 6 speed auto should be. Will it ever be a smooth seemless old fashioned non "clutch feeling" tranny? No. I was in total shock and alarm filled with buyers remorse for the first 700 miles because dealer never explained the learning tranny's to me. Now I understand, and it smoothed out to my satisfaction. You will still feel the shifts - moreso the odd downshift, depending on rpm and road angle, but there you have it. If your VIN# dosen't call for an update or reflash or whatever it's called, you're not supposed to fool with it. In some cases it's been known to just mess things up.
To me, at this mileage, it feels like an onboard gremlin doing a good job at manual clutch shifting. A very good job. How else could you have 6 different actual gears shifting for the benefit of mileage and controll? Yeah.... please don't bring on the usual brand name examples.... that's why the various companies have tried CVT. You want smooth? Get one.
My wife's Lancer has CVT and is smooth. Disconcerting because you expect to feel shifting - but smooth. Given a choice, I'll take my Cruze. If I had big bucks, I'd have a C6 with automatic/paddle option. I'm sure you feel those shifts too.

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BucaMan

· #16 · Apr 20, 2011

AutoGuide.com said:
...and only the 6-speed manual model (of which approximately six will be sold) gets the 42-mpg mark....

passive-agressive much?

(BTW, I think it is selling fine, thank you)

Cruzemeister

· #17 · Apr 20, 2011

Oh, and while we're talking 2012 Focus... saw the hatch version at a dealer. Barf - o. Crap styling. Looks like a Caliber mated with a Mazda (you pick model- all the same) and the Focus was born.

windsmith

· #18 · Apr 20, 2011

Here is my story. First off I have been a die hard Ford fan since birth. I have a 2002 Mercury Sable and a 2002 Ford Escort Zx2. I no longer need two vehicles and have been waiting for a vehicle that gives me all the amenities of my Sable and fuel economy of my Escort Zx2. The 2012 Ford Focus and 2011 Chevy Cruze met my criteria. I waited patiently for the 2012 Ford Focus to come out, and test drove many Chevy Cruze's in the meantime. Last weekend was the second time I was able to test drive the new 2012 Ford Focus. I had very high expectations that the 2012 Ford Focus would be the car for me. I was extremely disappointed in the 2012 Ford Focus. The interior noise was way to loud compared to the Chevy Cruze. The interior was cheap and the buttons felt terrible. The steering wheel position blocked the center digital display and I could not find a seating position that felt comfortable. The front leg room was way better in the Cruze. I did like the exterior styling of the Ford Focus sedan as compared to the Chevy Cruse but that is about it. I left the Ford dealership with such disapointment that I went to the nearest Chevy dealership and bought a brand new Chevy Cruse Eco. The things I liked about the Chevy Cruze over the Ford Focus was the interior noise is almost non existent as compared to the Focus. The interior display is much easier to read and was simpler to operate then the Focus. I had no problems finding a comfortable position in the Chevy Cruze and never did find a comfortable position in the Ford Focus. Both vehicles performed about the same on the road but I would have to say that the Chevy Cruze felt better in city driving. I pick up my new Chevy Cruze next week and have been enjoying the Chevy Cruze that the dealership is letting me drive while they pick mine up. I am sorry Ford but you lost a Ford fan to the Chevy Cruze. Next time make a better car.

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Reactions: 2

robertbick

· #19 · Apr 20, 2011

windsmith said:
Here is my story. First off I have been a die hard Ford fan since birth. I have a 2002 Mercury Sable and a 2002 Ford Escort Zx2. I no longer need two vehicles and have been waiting for a vehicle that gives me all the amenities of my Sable and fuel economy of my Escort Zx2. The 2012 Ford Focus and 2011 Chevy Cruze met my criteria. I waited patiently for the 2012 Ford Focus to come out, and test drove many Chevy Cruze's in the meantime. Last weekend was the second time I was able to test drive the new 2012 Ford Focus. I had very high expectations that the 2012 Ford Focus would be the car for me. I was extremely disappointed in the 2012 Ford Focus. The interior noise was way to loud compared to the Chevy Cruze. The interior was cheap and the buttons felt terrible. The steering wheel position blocked the center digital display and I could not find a seating position that felt comfortable. The front leg room was way better in the Cruze. I did like the exterior styling of the Ford Focus sedan as compared to the Chevy Cruse but that is about it. I left the Ford dealership with such disapointment that I went to the nearest Chevy dealership and bought a brand new Chevy Cruse Eco. The things I liked about the Chevy Cruze over the Ford Focus was the interior noise is almost non existent as compared to the Focus. The interior display is much easier to read and was simpler to operate then the Focus. I had no problems finding a comfortable position in the Chevy Cruze and never did find a comfortable position in the Ford Focus. Both vehicles performed about the same on the road but I would have to say that the Chevy Cruze felt better in city driving. I pick up my new Chevy Cruze next week and have been enjoying the Chevy Cruze that the dealership is letting me drive while they pick mine up. I am sorry Ford but you lost a Ford fan to the Chevy Cruze. Next time make a better car.

Very good to hear! Thanks for sharing.

ErikBEggs

· #20 · Sep 14, 2011 (Edited)

That review video is a crock of...... Yeah, the LTZ first of all is a just plain better looking car. Exterior with RS makes the focus look silly, I get compliments on it everywhere I go. The interior of an LTZ to a focus is just no comparison at all! Drivability and ride quality is just better. The Focus looked really girly to me... these two cars aren't even on the same wavelength (okay maybe in fuel economy but that's it).

I wonder how much Ford was paying these guys because they were not even subtle in their bias -_-.

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