As the interest in angular, Euro-inspired hatchbacks has grown
in America, so too have sales (hatchback sales account for over 15% of the
industry). But aside from the Volt, Chevy has too long been voiceless in this
red-hot market. That bashfulness ends with the 2017Chevy Cruze Hatchback, the manufacturer’s newest and loudest model to come
out in years. Packed with personality and a ferocious amount of flexible cargo
and seating arrangements, the newest Cruze Hatchback is bound to put Chevrolet
on the hatchback map, now and into the future. Here’s why.
Highlights of the New Cruze Hatch
With a clear understanding of its target audience, Chevrolet
has released the Cruze Hatchback in just two available trims: the mid-tier LT
and Premier.
The Cruze Hatchback LT has standard features that are
anything but standard, including a 7.0-inch MyLink display with Apple CarPlay
and Android Auto connectivity, SiriusXM radio, 4G LTE Wi-Fi, and a wireless
charging station. Additional available features include an upgraded 8.0-inch
touchscreen, premium Bose sound system, and a sunroof.
The Cruze Hatchback Premier gains a heated steering wheel
and leather front seats, keyless ignition, power driver’s seat, proximity key,
and premier 17-inch wheels.
On the safety front, systems like Forward Collision Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Keep Assist, Side Blind Zone Alert, and OnStar Automatic Crash Response are either standard or available as upgrades. Chevrolet’s Teen Driver tech is standard, which should be a sign of relief for parents everywhere, not just those in Clearwater or Tampa.
No matter the chosen trim, the exterior design on this hatch
is superb. The roofline elegantly flows from the hood to the rear, where
wraparound taillights accentuate the bold bumper that extends halfway up the
car’s backside. The sloped rear window meets with the sporty LED-fitted spoiler
at the top of the liftgate. Cutting a few inches off the back gives the hatch a
wider, stubbier appearance (compared to the Cruze sedan), making it look
deserving of its hatchback nameplate.
On paper, the Cruze Hatchback looks to be a world-class
vehicle. In practice, it’s even better. The high-steel chassis masterfully
levels the car even when the road gets bumpy, and cabin sway around corners is felt in the steering wheel, not your passengers’
assist handles (aka. “I’m-never-riding-in-your-car-again” handles). Replacing a
trunk with a cargo hold is a risky play in the noise department, but having
added panels and baffles to insulate sound and vibration, the Cruze Hatch is
especially good at keeping the quiet in.
Abundant cargo space cements the Cruze Hatchback as one of
the better lower-cost car options in America. With the second row folded flat,
the Cruze Hatch offers 47.2 cubic feet of rear space, which is superior to the
Ford Focus’s 43.9 cubic feet. (It must feel good to best your rivals in
something they’re known for.)
Both hatch trims are fitted
with a 1.4L turbo inline-four that produces a hefty 153 horsepower. The LT
comes standard with a six-speed stick, but can be upgraded to the same
six-speed automatic found in the Premier model. Chevy plans on adding a 1.6L
turbodiesel engine and nine-speed automatic transmission as options with the
Cruze 2018 hatchback, but we digress.
EPA-rated numbers are excellent for both trims; the LT with
an automatic transmission rakes in 29 mpg
in the city and 39 on the highway, while the Premier rocks 28 and 37 mpg,
respectively.
The Cruze Hatchback Available at Our Chevrolet Dealership Near Tampa
The addition of a hatchback to the Cruze lineup was a
logical step for Chevy, as is its addition to our inventory here at your
trusted ClearwaterChevy dealer, Dimmitt Chevrolet. If the debate between “car” and “SUV” is
keeping you from adding a new vehicle to your household, why not compromise and
opt for something in between? Take a look
at the new Cruze Hatchback or any other used or newvehicles for sale at Dimmitt Chevy. Visit our showroom at 25485 US Highway 19North to take a test drive.
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