The 1.4 installed in the 2016 Cruze Limited engine/transmission specifications published indicate no changes from prior years.
That being said, all manufacturers 'tweak' things a bit with each model year and the engine programming may have been touched up a bit.
Not necessarily to increase power/torque but possibly improving power production at a lower rpm.
This, naturally, would make the car feel more 'lively' for lack of a better term.
Compared to my 2012 eco, the 15's and 16's do feel more responsive at throttle 'tip in'......the moment you begin to move the pedal.
This would lead me to think that the percentage of throttle opening relative to pedal position, may have been either increased or a response delay to pedal command has been reduced.
All speculation but I have seen manufacturers do things like this in the past......tighten this a bit, reprogram that a bit.....like I said, 'tweaking'.
Rob