So my dad just rented a 2012 chevy Cruze to drive to Tampa. I took it for a spin around the block.......uhhhhh not impressed.

It has the heated leather seats. The interior is nice. I'm not crazy about how you sit in the car. Kinda feels awkward. It has the turbo engine but man it's not too great. Very slow from zero. And my HHR will beat it from a rolling start at 40.

Had the auto tranny. Transmission is klunky and jerky Downshifts rough and up shifts are weird.

My wife was in a toss between the two over their looks. Never drove the Cruze. She made a good choice. I'm a Chevy guy myself but the Cruze just doesn't have it for me.

 

Transmission shifting is adaptive and gets better as miles are accumulated. But the 6 speed trannys are always hunting for gears. I have one in a 2010 Malibu.

I think the turbo was added as a joke since they stuck the puny 1.4L in them.

As far as comfort, the car doesn't do a lot for me, but my daughter is getting one for her birthday next month.

 

I like the car but I just was expecting more. My HHR handles better too. But that is with the help of a sway bar and stiffer and lower rear springs.