2009 LA: Would you pick the Chevrolet Cruze over the Civic, Focus, Mazda3, Corolla, Sentra? (w/ Poll)

December 1, 2009December 2, 2009 Omar Rana 2009 LA Auto Show, 2011, Chevrolet Cruze, Compact Cars, Sedans

Key Competitors: Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Ford Focus, Nissan Sentra, Mazda3.
Power: LS LT models: 1.8L 4-cylinder – 136-hp / 123 lb-ft of torque. LTZ: 1.4L 4-cylinder turbo – 138-hp / 148 lb-ft of torque.
Transmission: 6-speed manual or Hydra-Matic 6T40 6-speed automatic.
Availability: 3rd quarter of 2010.
Pricing: TBA.

Ready to replace the Chevy Cobalt, GM today held a party for the new 2011 Chevrolet Cruze here in LA prior to the car’s official auto show debut tomorrow at the 2009 LA Auto Show.

Some key points to note about the 2011 Cruze:

1.4L turbo model will have a cruising range of more than 500 miles.
It is estimated to get an EPA rating of 40 mpg on the highway.
Standard interior options will include a stereo system with MP3 playback capability, 6-speakers and an AUX jack for MP3 players.
Five-year/100,000-mile powertain warranty.
Ten standard air bags help make it one of the safest cars in its class.
More spacious interior and greater cargo room than Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla.

So with that in mind, we’re wondering if you would choose the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze over its rivals – the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Nissan Sentra and the Ford Focus. If you want to elaborate on your vote, head over to the comments section after the jump.

Click through for the live high-res image gallery.

2009 LA: 2011 Chevrolet Cruze (U.S.-Spec):

2011 Chevrolet Cruze (U.S.-Spec):

2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE SPECIFICATIONS

Overview

Models:	2011 Chevrolet Cruze
Body style / driveline:	four-door, 5-passenger front engine transaxle; front-wheel-drive compact car
Construction:	steel body frame integral (unibody) with front and rear crumple zones; galvanized steel front fenders, hood, roof, door panels, one-piece bodyside outer panel, thermal plastic olefin (TPO) bumper fascias
Manufacturing location:	Lordstown, Ohio
Key competitors:	Toyota Corolla; Honda Civic; Ford Focus; Hyundai Elantra; Nissan Sentra

Engines

	1.8L DOHC I-4	1.4L turbocharged DOHC I-4
Displacement (cu. in. / cc):	110 / 1796	83.2 / 1364
Bore and stroke (in. / mm):	3.17 x 3.47 / 80.5 x 88.2	2.85 x 3.25 / 72.5 x 82.6
Block material:	cast iron	cast iron
Cylinder head material:	cast aluminum	cast aluminum
Valvetrain:	overhead camshafts, four-valves per cylinder, double continuously cam phaser intake and exhaust (DCVCP)	overhead camshafts, four-valves per cylinder, double continuously cam phaser intake and exhaust (DCVCP)
Ignition system:	individual coil on plug	individual coil on plug
Fuel delivery:	sequential multi-port fuel injectors with electronic throttle control	sequential multi-port fuel injectors with electronic throttle control
Compression ratio:	10.5:1	9.5:1
Horsepower (hp / kW @ rpm):	136 / 101 @ 6300 (est.)	138 / 103 @ 4900 (est.)
Torque (lb.-ft. / Nm @ rpm):	123 / 167 @ 3800 (est.)	148 / 200 @ 1850 (est.)
Recommended fuel:	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
Max engine speed (rpm):	6500	6500
Emissions controls:	close-coupled catalytic converters; Quick-Sync 58x ignition system; returnless fuel rail; fast light-off O² sensor	close-coupled and underfloor catalytic converters; Quick-Sync 58x ignition system; returnless fuel rail; fast light-off O² sensor
EPA-est. fuel economy (city / hwy):	TBD	TBD

Transmissions

	M32 6-speed manual (1.8L)	M32 6-speed manual (1.4L turbo)	Hydra-Matic 6T40 6-speed automatic
Type:			six-speed transverse, electronically controlled, automatic overdrive transmission
Gear Ratios (:1)
First:	3.82	3.82	4.58
Second:	2.16	2.05	2.96
Third:	1.47	1.30	1.91
Fourth:	1.07	0.96	1.44
Fifth:	0.87	0.74	1.00
Sixth:	0.74	0.61	0.74
Reverse:	3.54	3.54	2.94
Final drive:	3.94	4.18	3.87

Chassis/Suspension

Front:	independent, MacPherson strut-type with side-loaded strut modules, specifically tuned coil springs, direct-acting stabilizer bar (hollow); hydraulic ride bushings.
Rear:	specifically adapted compound crank (torsion beam) with double-walled, U-shaped profile at the rear, Z-link (tunable control arm)
Traction control:	all-speed using engine torque reduction and brake intervention
Steering type:	rack-mounted electric power steering
Steering wheel turns, lock-to-lock:	TBD
Turning circle, curb-to-curb (feet / meters):	TBD
Steering ratio:	15.5:1

Brakes

Type:	power front disc, rear drum w/ESC (std.) power 4-wheel disc w/ESC (opt.)
Brake rotor diameter ““ front (mm / in.):	16-inch wheels: 276 / 10.8 vented; single-piston w/steel caliper 17- and 18-inch wheels: 300 / 11.8 vented; single-piston w/steel caliper
Brake rotor diameter ““ rear (mm / in.):	17-inch and 18-inch: 292 / 11.5 vented; single-piston w/steel caliper
Total swept area (cu cc; pad area):	TBD

Wheels / Tires

Wheel size and type:	16-inch steel (std. LS & 1LT) 16-inch alloy (opt. on 1LT; std. on 2LT) 17-inch alloy (std. on LTZ) 18-inch alloy (opt. on 2LT and LTZ)
Tires:	16-inch: 215/50R16 ALS 17-inch: 225/50R17 ALS 18-inch: 235/45R18 ALS

Dimensions
Exterior

Wheelbase (in. / mm):	105.7 / 2685
Overall length (in. / mm):	178.5 / 4535
Overall width (in. / mm):	70.7 / 1796
Overall height (in. / mm):	58.2 / 1480
Track width front (in. / mm):	60.7 / 1544
Track width rear (in. / mm):	61.3 / 1558

Interior

Seating capacity (front / rear):	2 / 3
Headroom (in. / mm):	39 / 990 (front) 37 / 940 (rear)
Legroom (in. / mm):	42 / 1067 (front) 36.5 / 917 (rear)
Shoulder room (in. / mm):	54.7 / 1391 (front) 52 / 1321 (rear)
Hip room (in. / mm):	TBD
Passenger volume (cu. ft. / L) :	95 / 2690
Cargo volume (cu. ft. / L):	15 / 425