Cruze Eco Reaches For 42 MPG

Jack Baruth
by Jack Baruth

Just when you thought that Ford was winning the compact-sedan mileage war, the Cruze ECO 1.4L Turbo manual-transmission model has claimed a 42/28 rating for highway and city mileage. How’d they do it?

It looks like the high-mileage Chevy has a full aero package (air dam, rear spoiler, and a flattened underbody) as well as that old NASCAR trick, lower-than-normal ride height. “Weight reductions” are claimed. Prius-style low-rolling-resistance tires wrap around 17″ wheels.

Price is $18,895, but you can’t get one yet. Nor should GM get too cocky: the automatic-transmission model returns just 37 miles per gallon, well behind the PowerShift Focus and its more powerful (by 22hp) normally-aspirated 2.0 liter. When you look at the sales mix for American-brand compact sedans, it’s plain who has the better mousetrap, at least for now. And, of course, nobody’s heard a rating on the new Elantra…

Jack Baruth
Jack Baruth

More by Jack Baruth

Comments
Join the conversation
6 of 31 comments
  • SCE to AUX SCE to AUX on Nov 11, 2010

    That's better than the Volt's highway mileage. Oh wait, the Volt isn't for the highway. It's a commuter car, so one can never drive enough miles to justify its 2X cost over the Cruze.

    • Steven02 Steven02 on Nov 12, 2010

      Not better than the Volt on the highway in EV mode, which is the primary focus of the vehicle.

  • SCE to AUX SCE to AUX on Nov 11, 2010

    I've heard of Sonata GDIs getting this kind of highway mileage, or better.

    • Jaje Jaje on Nov 11, 2010

      It gets mid 30's highway with the GDI real world. But even more startling is that the competitor to the Cruze will have Hyundai's GDI 1.6 engine that is in the upcoming 2011 Elantra, 2012 Accent and 2012 Veloster. It is mated to a 6 speed manual or (IIRC) 6 speed auto transmission and should deliver performance on part with most hybrids - all at a substantial decrease in price. Who'd have thunk Hyundai beating Honda or Toyota to the GDI punch and improving the normal ICE engine efficiency and power. This is one of the main benefits of why diesel engines were so much more efficient than their port injection gasoline counterparts.

  • Zykotec Zykotec on Nov 12, 2010

    Seriously, and this goes to all manufacturers. My 1986 Ford Sierra, with what is technically a 1970 pinto engine with a 1985 Bosch L-jetronic injection, a transmission designed in the 70's and a playful 3.93:1 rearend put in a body with a drag coefficient of 0.34 (well, probably closer to 0.31 since it had a full XR4i bodykit) could do an average 30mpg, and I managed 35 on the highway averaging 50mph. It may only have weighed around 2500 pounds, but it could easily seat 5 in comfort and all the luggage needed for our holiday. Why is evolution so slow? (edit: during spirited driving I did manage to get it down to 25 mpg )

  • Mark MacInnis Mark MacInnis on Nov 12, 2010

    How'd they do it? Hmmmmm. GM and the EPA have the same "owners"? Nah, couldn't have anything to do with it....

Next