No vehicle in Chevrolet’s lineup is more apple-pie-and-baseball American than theSilverado pickup truck, and it fits that it’s the brand’s bestselling model in the U.S. Leave our borders, however, and a rather different Chevrolet model carries the bow-tie standard: theCruze. Indeed, the small car has attained top sales status for the Chevy brand globally.
And stateside? Last year, the Cruze placed second, moving 273, 060 units to the Silverado’s 529, 755. So the second-generation, 2016 Cruze needs to hit the mark if Chevy wants to continue cruising its compact-car wave.[image]Cutting Carbs, Trimming FatChevrolet binned the outgoing Cruze’s unassuming look for a more expressive, sleeker design this time around. Thanks toits all-new D2 front-drive architecture, the Cruze gains 0.6 inch of wheelbase and 2.7inches of overall length, a move that does as much for the sedan’s back-seat accommodations as it does for its styling.
Word isa five-door hatchback will be offered to Americansthis time around, too. The sleek, tadpole-shaped body ( not unlike that of the Hyundai Elantra or the Honda Civic) replaces the old car’s more upright, traditional three-box silhouette to good effect. There’s more detailing front and rear, and the car’s face, at least, makes a solid connection tothe upcomingnew 2016 Malibu.
