- Frugal turbo-diesel engine
- Competent ride/handling balance
- Large boot
- 1.8-litre petrol engine lacks refinement and performance is only adequate
- For petrol engine with automatic transmission, revs rise during shifts
- Noisy, laggy turbo-diesel engine
- Cheap interior details
- Durability/reliability concerns
Overview
Released in May 2009, the Holden JG Cruze was a small, front-wheel drive sedan. Manufactured in South Korea, the JG Cruze was available with either a 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engine or a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel unit. Each engine was available with either a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. As per the table below, the JG Cruze range consisted of CD and CDX variants.
A18XER and RA420 engines
Of the engines,
- the 1.8-litre A18XER four-cylinder petrol engine had a cast iron cylinder block, an aluminium cylinder head, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, double continuous variable cam phasing and a compression ratio of 10.5:1; and,
- the 2.0-litre VM Motori RA420 turbo-diesel engine had common-rail direct fuel injection, a single overhead camshaft, four valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 17.5:1.
Dimensions and suspension
Compared the JF Viva sedan which it effectively replaced, the JG Cruze was 82 mm longer (at 4597 mm), 63 mm wider (1788 mm), 32 mm taller (1477 mm) and had a 85 mm longer wheelbase (2685 mm). The JG Cruze had MacPherson strut front suspension and a torsion beam rear axle (both with coil springs, gas-filled dampers and anti-roll bars).
| Variant | Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CD, CDX |
1.8-litre petrol I4 | 5sp man., 6sp auto |
104 kW at 6200 rpm | 176 Nm at 3800 rpm |
| 2.0-litre turbo-diesel I4 | 5sp man., 6sp auto |
110 kW at 4000 rpm | 320 Nm at 2000 rpm |
Safety equipment
Standard safety equipment for the JG Cruze included dual front airbags, front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags (i.e. for front and rear occupants), ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.
Euro NCAP and ANCAP crash testing
In Euro NCAP testing , a Chevrolet Cruze sedan (as it was marketed in overseas markets) received a five star safety rating which included a 96 per cent adult occupant protection rating and an 84 per cent child occupant protection rating.
In ANCAP crash testing , the Cruze received a five star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 35.04 out of 37 – this rating applied to hatchback and sedan bodies, as well as models with petrol and turbo-diesel engines.
Features: Cruze CD and CDX
Standard features for the entry-level Cruze CD included 16-inch steel wheels, a six-speaker sound system with CD player and auxiliary inputs (USB/iPod/MP3), air conditioning, steering wheel audio and cruise controls, automatic headlights, remote central locking, 60/40 split and folding rear seats, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, power windows and heated mirrors, height adjustable front seats, a 12 volt power outlet, trip computer and an immobiliser.
The Cruze CDX was further equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, leather seats with heated front seats, rear parking sensors, front fog lamps, leather-wrap steering wheel and gearshift and chrome exterior highlights.
Cruze Brochure
Related links
- Product Information: Holden JG Cruze (May 2009)
- Holden Media: Holden Cruze – The Small Car Just Got Serious (May 2009)
- Holden Media: Holden Expands Cruze Line-Up Due to Popular Demand (September 2009)
- Wikipedia.org: Chevrolet Cruze (first generation)
