Holden Cruze SRI V-Series 2016 new car review
Cruze is not the stuff of hot pursuits – but the red police car (an SRI V-Series) appeared to contradict that.
Cruze is not the stuff of hot pursuits – but the red police car (an SRI V-Series) that had pulled a car over for speeding appeared to contradict that.
Perhaps the Cruze SRI V-Series with its 132kW 1.6-litre turbo and six-speed automatic does have enough grunt to intimidate.
Well...yes and no. There’s certainly a sporty feel from the rigid suspension and coarsely respiring turbo – which can be heard ‘breathing’ when accelerating from low speed. And for general overtaking and having fun there’s ample performance to be had. But all it takes is something angry, expensive and European to get some perspective.
Back to reality
The Cruze sell at a smidge under forty grand – which, for this top-of-the-line model is quite the performance bargain. It’s packed with high-end features: cruise control, reversing camera, rear parking sensors, heated exterior mirrors, keyless entry and start, and automatic headlights.
You can connect your phone to the MyLink infotainment system and use Apple’s Siri Eyes Free to control the whole show. Apps such as Pandora and Stitcher work seamlessly via the seven-inch screen. A satellite navigation system is included, but I opted to use Google Maps with the audio playing through the speakers.
A plethora of electronic driver safety aids – electronic stability control, traction control and anti-lock brakes – will help avoid a crash, and six airbags mitigate the results if you don’t. The SRI V-Series rolls on five-spoke 18-inch wheels with 235/45R18 tyres.
These provide very quiet cruising on smooth tarmac is smooth or at lower speeds, but there’s noticeable noise on the coarser state highways and minor roads. Those 18-inch wheels nicely fill the arches and mark the main difference between the SRI V-Series and cheaper models. Apart from a very mild body kit and a few bits of chrome trim, the models look quite similar.
The dead pedal is dead and buried
There are a few things that should be improved. There’s no dead pedal to rest your left foot on during long journeys (my research discovered that Holden removed it to improve frontal crash performance, but surely there must be another way).
The steering feel is numb enough to make it challenging to accurately place the nose into a corner every time, and the engine is a bit on the thirsty side. I achieved 8.8l/100km driving from Auckland to Rotorua and back, which is at least 1L/100km more than expected and comes with the added expense of filling with premium unleaded, not 91.
Why you would buy a Cruze?
A five-star ANCAP crash rating, 100,000km warranty, plenty of overtaking ability and a sporty feel from the firm suspension, fairly spacious boot in the sedan (445 litres with split-fold rear seats) and the MyLink entertainment system make this an appealing package. Automatic wipers and lights are a bonus, the price is reasonable and passenger and driver comfort is good.
Note: This was reviewed as a new vehicle.
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