General Motors has announced a slight price bump for the next-generation Chevrolet Cruze.
The compact sedan starts at $17,495 (including $875 freight) for the redesigned 2016 edition with a six-speed manual transmission, representing an increase of $450 compared to the previous-generation’s entry-level ‘L’ package.
The vast majority of US buyers will likely opt for a six-speed automatic rather than the row-your-own gearbox. Such preference are only accommodated by the LS trim, which fetches just under $20,000. The top-of-the-line ‘Premier’ edition starts at $23,995.
A new direct-injected 1.4-liter turbocharged engine is more powerful than its predecessor, delivering 153 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque — up 15 ponies and 29 lb-ft of twist.
Despite a larger chassis with two additional inches of rear knee room, the Cruze has shed 250 pounds and now accelerates to 60 mph in approximately eight seconds when equipped with the upgraded turbo powerplant.
The company has not yet announced fuel efficiency figures, though the new engine is expected to deliver at least 40 mpg on the highway. The previous-generation sedan achieved city/highway ratings of up to 28/42 mpg with gasoline or 27/46 mpg with a 2.0-liter diesel mill. The latter engine has been swapped out in favor of a smaller 1.6-liter oil burner for 2016, arriving just in time to take advantage of the Volkswagen Jetta TDI’s fall from grace.
The redesigned Cruze is slated to go on sale by spring 2016.
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