For The Chevrolet Cruze looks good and has plenty of space. The low price and good warranty package are tempting, too.
Against The petrol engines are gutless and the car isn't particularly exciting or comfortable to drive.
You get quite a lot of car for not a lot of cash with the Chevrolet Cruze and it’s more practical than the saloon version, but it’s not exciting to drive.
The Cruze is cheap, and the best way to maximise the value for money you get is to buy as cheap a model as possible. That's why we'd recommend the 1.6-litre petrol engine. Sure, it's noisy and it feels flat unless you're revving it to the redline, but it’s not much slower than the 1.8.
There's the economical and smooth 1.7 diesel, and the punchier 2.0-litre diesel too, but they’re too pricey, especially in the higher trim levels.
The basic LS is the best one to go for, as the hatch isn't available with the hatch's cheaper S (AC) trim. Yes, LT and LTZ versions give you more toys, but you should only spend the extra if you can't live without them.
I own a 1.6LT automatic and there is very little I can fault it on apart from economy but very few autos are economical. After all it is built on the…