Cruze hatch - a few observations.

4596 Views 32 Replies 15 Participants Last post by Merc6, Dec 20, 2016

UpstateNYBill

Discussion Starter · Nov 2, 2016 (Edited)

I've got about 2700 miles on the new hatch. So far, actual mpg seems to be about 10% lower compared to the DIC, in other words, about the same as my '12 Cruze.

Start/Stop doesn't work once the weather turns colder, somewhere around the mid to low 40's, from my initial observations.

It is easy to exceed the EPA highway mpg of 38 if you stick to the speed limit of 65 here in NY, and I am sure my mpg will get better once it's broken in.

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Finally, a shameless plug for myself! Vote in the October COTM thread, it is still open as there was a tie in the voting.

http://www.cruzetalk.com/forum/7-cr...ing/181730-october-16-cotm-voting-thread.html

That's all for now...

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obermd

· #2 · Nov 2, 2016

You would think that by this time Chevy would have eliminated the "artificial" display limits for the fuel economy displays. Short periods of 50+ MPG is simply too easy to break in these cars.

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jblackburn

· #3 · Nov 2, 2016

Have you tested out the passing power yet? It's much improved

I've been averaging ~35 in my usual driving in automatic Gen 2 Cruzen loaners; I would normally be around 32-33 on the DIC on my own car. So if they're still optimistic, I reckon I'm still doing better than the 1st gen manual.

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UpstateNYBill

Discussion Starter · #4 · Nov 2, 2016

obermd said:
You would think that by this time Chevy would have eliminated the "artificial" display limits for the fuel economy displays. Short periods of 50+ MPG is simply too easy to break in these cars.

Even longer trips might be easy to max it out if the conditions are right.

jblackburn said:
Have you tested out the passing power yet? It's much improved

I've been averaging ~35 in my usual driving in automatic Gen 2 Cruzen loaners; I would normally be around 32-33 on the DIC on my own car. So if they're still optimistic, I reckon I'm still doing better than the 1st gen manual.

I've noticed the smoother power delivery, but I haven't tested the passing power yet. I'm taking it easy on the hatch for now.

Technically, the hatch shouldn't be any different than my 1LT auto, since they have the same highway mpg rating of 38, whereas the sedan has the highway mpg at 40.

jblackburn

· #5 · Nov 3, 2016

Technically, the hatch shouldn't be any different than my 1LT auto, since they have the same highway mpg rating of 38, whereas the sedan has the highway mpg at 40.

I actually didn't realize they were given a different highway rating!

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obermd

· #6 · Nov 3, 2016

The Hatch is rated 2 MPG lower on the highway. It's probably due to a higher aerodynamic coefficient of drag.

Jim Frye

· #7 · Nov 3, 2016

obermd said:
The Hatch is rated 2 MPG lower on the highway. It's probably due to a higher aerodynamic coefficient of drag.

It could also be due to a bit more curb weight, but the hatchback's weight is not listed on Chevy's web site yet (TBD).

UpstateNYBill

Discussion Starter · #8 · Nov 3, 2016

Chevy says the mpg is lower because it is tuned more towards performance than the sedan.

Another thing I forgot to mention in my first post is that the windshield definitely defrosts quicker than my '12 ever did when idling in the driveway first thing in the morning.

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jblackburn

· #9 · Nov 3, 2016

UpstateNYBill said:
Chevy says the mpg is lower because it is tuned more towards performance than the sedan.

Another thing I forgot to mention in my first post is that the windshield definitely defrosts quicker than my '12 ever did when idling in the driveway first thing in the morning.

Heat is MUCH quicker from the LE2. Inside 5 minutes of city driving or idling, the inside of the car can be nice and toasty.

Performance-oriented...hmm. The sedan has the same gear ratios as those that 1.4L automatics that came before it; can you tell if the gears seem to be different ratios in the hatch? Or maybe it's a difference of just stickier tires & aerodynamics.

au201

· #10 · Nov 3, 2016

jblackburn said:
Heat is MUCH quicker from the LE2. Inside 5 minutes of city driving or idling, the inside of the car can be nice and toasty.

Performance-oriented...hmm. The sedan has the same gear ratios as those that 1.4L automatics that came before it; can you tell if the gears seem to be different ratios in the hatch? Or maybe it's a difference of just stickier tires & aerodynamics.

Probably a few programming differences too with transmission shift points, downshift responsiveness, and throttle responsiveness. Maybe different ECU tuning but I wouldn't bank on that.

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UpstateNYBill

Discussion Starter · #11 · Nov 3, 2016

jblackburn said:
Performance-oriented...hmm. The sedan has the same gear ratios as those that 1.4L automatics that came before it; can you tell if the gears seem to be different ratios in the hatch? Or maybe it's a difference of just stickier tires & aerodynamics.

Finally found my quote from when I first read about the difference...

UpstateNYBill said:
Just read the thread about the 2017 diesel Cruze, and in the article was this, which would explain the mpg difference.

"The hatchback shares its 153-hp turbo four and six-speed manual and automatic transmission options with the sedan, but Chevrolet promises that the wagonoid Cruze will be tuned for more driving fun than the comfort-*minded sedan."

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UpstateNYBill

Discussion Starter · #12 · Nov 5, 2016

jblackburn said:
Heat is MUCH quicker from the LE2. Inside 5 minutes of city driving or idling, the inside of the car can be nice and toasty.

When I left the house first thing this morning, I started up my Torque Lite app and checked the coolant temperature. It was 44 degrees outside, and within one mile of driving, coolant temperature had reached 150 degrees.

Normal operating temperature for my hatch is about 195 degrees, and it never went over approximately 200 degrees.

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Robby

· #13 · Nov 5, 2016

The quick warm up of coolant is a result of the exaust passages cast inside the head (and surrounded by coolant) terminating in a single outlet at the turbo inlet.

GM first used this technique on the V2 3.6 V-6 and similar quick cabin heat was noted.

Rob

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Sperry

· #14 · Nov 5, 2016

I like having the 3 best score screens.. Up here north of the boarder we can see the scores well over 50 :happy:

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elegant

· #15 · Nov 5, 2016 (Edited)

Thanks "UpstateNYBill" for posting that sentence from Car and Driver about the hatch being tuned for driving fun. Found one more sentence in that article, also referring to the hatch, which I also like and supports your quote:

Car and Driver said:
An independent rear suspension, which replaces the four-door’s twist-beam rear axle, should help deliver on the fun goal.

And that sentiment was echoed earlier this week by Spring Mountain's Chief Instructor when he said that "I had fun driving it on our track this Monday; would make a good autocrosser" though to be totally accurate, he drove the BlueLine concept version which also had the optional GM lowered suspension kit on it. Worst case, if when we drive it we want more, will be able to install that package. And since that package is a GM part, no potential issues of warranty voidance if issues later.

http://www.caranddriver.com/news/chevrolet-for-2017-whats-new-feature

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jblackburn

· #16 · Nov 5, 2016 (Edited)

It isn't IRS. Idk where C&D got that information from. It's the same as sedans - Z-link on top level trims and twist beam on LT. Z-Link, combined with 18"ers, does indeed corner very well.

Like the Cruze sedan, the Hatchback offers two forms of rear suspension. All but the Premier trims come with a standard torsion beam axle. The upgraded suspension on the Premier features a torsion beam with a Watts Link setup, or what Chevy calls its Z-link design. Basically acting as a dual panhard bar, the Z-link offers greater roll stability and improved handling over. All Cruzes come with MacPherson struts up front.

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Farmerboy

· #17 · Nov 13, 2016

Soooo, I traded my '12 Cruze Eco MT for a '17 Hatch. So far we are really liking it. Yes, more and smoother power. I have never liked autos in small cars but this one seems to be done right. As far as shifting economically in easy driving, the other day in town in it hit 4th gear by 30 mph never going over 1600 rpm. Also, in deceleration, it keeps the TC locked up and auto downshifts to maintain rpms to keep it in DFCO.

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UpstateNYBill

Discussion Starter · #18 · Dec 13, 2016

A couple other little details that I've noticed...

On my Gen 1 when I turned on the high beams, the high beam switch would be further away, which meant I had further to reach when turning off the high beams. I found it to be a minor annoyance. With the Gen2, the high beam switch returns to the "center" position, so I don't have to reach any further to turn them off. I'm sure this is a Gen 2 improvement, and not just the hatch.

When I have my front wipers on and I put the hatch in reverse, the rear wiper automatically turns on. I just noticed this today while driving in the snow for the first time.

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MP81

· #19 · Dec 13, 2016

UpstateNYBill said:
When I have my front wipers on and I put the hatch in reverse, the rear wiper automatically turns on. I just noticed this today while driving in the snow for the first time.

Thank god, I always hate trying to find the rear wiper control. I could drive a vehicle for years and still have to look for it every time.

stanman13

· #20 · Dec 13, 2016

UpstateNYBill said:
A couple other little details that I've noticed...

On my Gen 1 when I turned on the high beams, the high beam switch would be further away, which meant I had further to reach when turning off the high beams. I found it to be a minor annoyance. With the Gen2, the high beam switch returns to the "center" position, so I don't have to reach any further to turn them off. I'm sure this is a Gen 2 improvement, and not just the hatch.

When I have my front wipers on and I put the hatch in reverse, the rear wiper automatically turns on. I just noticed this today while driving in the snow for the first time.

On my '14 the wiper switch recenters itself when you put the high beams on. That is, you push forward to engage the highs, but the lever returns to neutral position. I can disengage the high beams by either pushing or pulling on the lever.

The rear wiper thing is something I think GM learned from Saab. My '99 Saab 9-3 has that feature.

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