Chevrolet Cruze 1.8 LT 4dr Auto

Instalment #1 - March 2011

Age: 2 weeks

Mileage: 892

Due to a continuously-ambiguous delivery date two months after placing the order (which resulted in an escalated complaint to GM-UK head office in Luton), I was fortunate to have received a free upgrade from LS trim to LT, with in-dash 6xCD changer, climate control, auto lights/wipers and cruise control. In my second-choice colour of Moroccan Blue, too! What a car!

I am on my third full tank. The first achieved 31.4mpg with climate control on and the second 35.2 with the CC off. I am targeting 40mpg with this tankful but it may perhaps be a challenge too far, though I drive steadily and frugally, slipping the auto into neutral when safe and a slight decline permits.

No faults so far but just a few minor issues...

* When demanding rapid acceleration from standstill, I find it a bit late on the uptake with a perceptible delay in response. For our offshore readers, petrol-engined models in the UK are not turbo-assisted.

* Suspension: It is a comfortable, quiet urban ride and motorway cruiser and not susceptible to wind and road noise as reported by some car journo's. However, I find the rear suspension 'clunky' over uneven surfaces. This I would put down to the relatively inexpensive torsion-bar arrangement...an issue that would not occur with the (admittedly more expensive to engineer) MacPherson strut system.

* No daylight running lights available on the top-spec UK models. I would have thought with imminent EU regulations in this regard, that it would be standard fit.

* The absence of a dead-foot rest - particularly on an auto - is an odd omission and should be rectified in future model makeovers.

Built at the former Daewoo facility in South Korea, the build quality is excellent with very good quality materials used throughout. I like the weaved cloth trim in the twin-cockpit front seating area. Nice and classy.

In summary, I am wholly impressed by the Cruze and stick my nose up at Vauxhall badge snobs (odd, since a number of items are evidently ex-Insignia). Sad that after nearly two years from its UK launch, it remains a rare car on our roads but it is much underrated and quite astonishing value for money in its class. Frankly, I am prepared to expound its virtues at any given opportunity!

Another update in a couple of months. 'Till then...