Chevy Pits Cruze Against Corolla & Civic

How well does the Cruze stack up against the Corolla & Civic?

What is the most important Chevrolet product released over the past few years or soon to be introduced?

Some people may say the Camaro, as that vehicle put Chevrolet squarely back in the pony car game, pitting it against the Ford Mustang. Others might say the Equinox and Traverse as these two models have proven that GM can build crossovers which are at the top of their respective segments. The Malibu has shown Chevrolet’s midsize car prowess while the electrified Volt is likely to win honors as the most hyped product of our time.

Actually, none of these vehicles will likely have as much of an effect on the Chevrolet brand as its compact Cruze, set to be introduced within the next month. Replacing the bland Cobalt, the Cruze is everything a compact sedan should be and more: stylish, roomy, well appointed and highly fuel efficient. The latter two attributes have rarely been seen in a GM model of this size, but the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze is about to change that.

Cruze Confidence

GM is confident that the Cruze has what it takes and is urging its dealers to buy at least one car each from its top competitors — the Toyota Corolla and the Honda Civic. In July, when GM introduced the Cruze to the national press corps in Washington, D.C., we were able to drive the Cruze, Corolla and Civic back-to-back for comparison purposes.

My personal observation of all three has the Cruze on top, which is what GM hopes Chevrolet shoppers will also conclude.

Of course, there is always a risk that customers will choose a competing model especially when those vehicles are showcased front and center at a local Chevrolet dealership. However, that means you are confident that your product is better than the rest and not a mere equal. And, judging by its clean and well appointed interior, superior gas mileage and midsize car roominess, GM finally has a product it doesn’t have to make an apology for.

Cruze Importance

Cobalt sales have hovered around 200,000 annual units from 2005-2008 which is the floor Cruze sales should hit despite ongoing economic weakness. Ideally, Cruze sales will be much higher, perhaps approaching levels reached by the Cavalier during the 1980s when sales peaked well above 400,000 units annually.

Yes, stiffer competition and more of it will be a factor, but if Chevrolet can siphon some sales from Toyota and Honda while giving customers a reason not to purchase the upcoming Ford Focus, the current Hyundai Elantra or the Nissan Altima, then a middle ground number seems likely.

That net increase could put Chevrolet ahead of Ford and within striking range of Toyota, currently the best-selling automotive brand in the United States.

Photo Credit: General Motors Company

Next Gen Honda Civic to Arrive Late

Like clockwork, Honda models are routinely overhauled every five years, sometimes sooner. Other manufacturers follow a similar arrangement, but Honda is one of the few who does so across its entire model line.

Larger Civic

The Honda Civic, first introduced to the US market in the 1970s, has been consistently changed over the years, even growing in size from a B segment (subcompact) to a C segment (compact) model. It, along with the Accord, are the two top selling Honda models in America, perennial Top 10 finishers year after year.

The current generation of the Civic was introduced in September 2005 as a 2006 model, which means that an all new Civic is due out this September. In uncustomary fashion, Honda has decided to delay the Civic for at least one full year as it takes into consideration a couple of things: newer, stricter US fuel economy and emissions standards as well as fresh competition in the form of the Chevrolet Cruze and next generation Ford Focus.

Autoweek reports that Honda was originally considering making the next generation Civic even larger than the current model, but has since changed its plans to align it with the current model’s footprint. The Obama administration successfully pushed for tougher higher corporate average fleet economy numbers effective with 2016 models, necessitating automotive manufacturers being implementing changes in advance of the new regulations.

New Competition

Honda may also be taking a pause as they evaluate the impact of the Chevrolet Cruze which will debut this summer and the next generation Ford Focus, due out next year. These two compact cars have been selling well globally and are expected to give their Asian competitors stiff competition when they hit US showrooms.

By observing what Chevrolet and Ford are bringing to the market first, Honda will be able to make whatever changes necessary to make sure that the next generation Civic remains a top performer. And that delay may prove to be beneficial especially if the next Civic proves to be an even better model than the one it replaces.

Kia Rolls Out Its Forte Compact Sedan

The Kia Motor Company has long lived in the shadow of its Korean cousin, Hyundai Motors, playing second fiddle to an automaker who has been busy reinventing its own image. Kia, which has long stood for low-priced and average quality at best vehicles, is also in the midst of a makeover, having released its Soul urban expression vehicle earlier this Spring, a Scion-like car that has been well received by critics and buyers alike.

Competition For Toyota And Honda

Last week, Kia rolled out its second important introduction of the year, its Forte compact, a five passenger sedan that will thankfully replace the uninspiring Spectra. Based on the Koup concept, the Forte’s styling will help it compete against the two segment leaders — the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic.

And, judging by its looks alone, the Forte succeeds where all other Kia models have failed. Crisp styling, a well designed and appointed interior along with a competitive price will put the Forte on many buyer’s lists, something that the Spectra achieved thanks to major discounting. Kia says that the Forte is a clean break from the Spectra meaning that it is an all new model not just an all new name.

Beauty Is More Than Skin Deep

Courtesy of Kia Motors of America, the following photos will give you a better look at the compact sedan:

Replacing the Spectra, the 2010 Kia Forte offers bold styling which is based upon the Koup concept, a model that was well received at auto shows in 2008.

The tapered C Pillar is a styling cue typically found on more expensive, European sedans. The Forte sits on a 104 inch wheelbase and is 178 inches long by 70 inches wide.

The Kia Forte dashboard is nicely designed, with driver controls embedded on the steering wheel as well as on the center stack.

Comfortable bucket seats greet front passengers with the driver getting six-way adaptable seating. Leather trimmed and heated seats are available with the EX package.

Seating for three rear passengers is available, although just like the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic, two passenger seating is optimal.

Standard engine is a 2.0L I4 paired with either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. Optionally a 2.4L I4 engine is available, which is paired with a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission. An optional Fuel Economy Package on the EX model helps the Forte achieve 27/36 mpg, the highest ratings for this model.

For more information about the Kia Forte, please visit the Kia Motors website.