The new generation Chevrolet Cruze targets young people.

In both the US and China, the 2016 Cruze focuses on promoting features that appeal to younger customers, such as fuel efficiency and connectivity.

The automatic LT and LS versions have fuel consumption figures of 7.8 liters/100 km in city driving and 5.6 liters/100 km on the highway. The corresponding figures for the top-of-the-line Premier version are 7.8 and 5.9. Meanwhile, the manual version requires 8.1 liters/100 km in city driving and 5.7 liters/100 km on the highway.

Unlike the 2015 Cruze, Chevrolet says the new generation Cruze uses a newly designed 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, rather than a rework of the engine from previous models. But another reason for the new generation's improved fuel efficiency is its significant weight reduction: it's 113 kg lighter.

On the new Cruze, the American automaker used hot-stamped high-strength steel for the body and aluminum for the suspension system, resulting in an initial weight reduction of 45 kg compared to the previous generation. Subsequently, the engine was also 20 kg lighter, and the transmission was reduced by a further 11 kg, along with other changes.

Improved fuel efficiency is also achieved thanks to the "start/stop" engine management feature: the engine shuts off when the vehicle is stopped for a certain period of time and restarts when the driver lifts their foot off the brake pedal. Similar systems are quite common in Europe and are starting to appear more frequently in the US market.

One of the points Chevrolet emphasizes is that the Cruze is designed for young people who want an environmentally friendly car that also supports their connected lifestyles. The Cruze is also suitable for older customers by making it easy for them to use their mobile phones. According to Chevrolet statistics, 53% of Cruze buyers are first-time buyers, and in the US, the Cruze is the second-best-selling car for those under 25.

Chevrolet also offers 24 GB of free data and supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, making it easy to send messages, answer calls, or listen to music while driving.

In addition, the new generation Cruze also features other technological upgrades such as an optional wireless charging device on the dashboard and the OnStar package, which includes a "smart driver" program that provides feedback on driving habits over the past day or year. This type of information can be shared with insurance companies if they offer discounts to drivers with good driving habits, according to Chevrolet.

In the US, the new generation Cruze has a suggested retail price of $17,500 for the standard L manual transmission version and up to $24,000 for the top-of-the-line Premier automatic transmission version. All versions are equipped with a 1.4L turbocharged engine producing 153 horsepower and capable of accelerating from 0-97 km/h in 7.7 seconds.

According to VNE