Cruze-ing in comfort; Chevrolet's striking new saloon will impress you with its well-specced, trendy interior and responsive yet frugal diesel powertrains, writes JOHN CONNOR.

Byline: JOHN CONNOR 

SOMETIMES good looks are only skin-deep, so I was anxious to find out whether Chevrolet's eye-catching Cruze is the real deal.

And, after admiring the coup-like stance of this four-door, I was immediately impressed by the trendy and comfortable cabin.

But then I was disappointed to find that the automatic gearbox fitted to the 1.8-litre petrol model was decidedly sluggish.

Hesitant in kickdown, it turned overtaking into a complicated manoeuvre. And while it proved a smooth operator when cruising, the overall effect had me marking down this new model.

All that changed, however, when I switched to the fivespeed manual diesel, which is a superb motorway car.

It holds the road well and overtaking is easy because the finely tuned gears are allied to precise power steering and powerful brakes and respond instantly to the driver's instructions.

The two models are as different as chalk and cheese, and the diesel deserves to become the best-seller in this line-up of value-for-money models.

This Korean-built saloon, which is priced from pounds 11,995 to pounds 15,195, is based on the same platform as the upcoming new Vauxhall Astra. Power comes from either a 1.6 or a 1.8-litre petrol or a choice of two two-litre diesels.

Both petrol engines should return just over 40mpg on the combined cycle, dipping to 36.2mpg when they are mated to the automatic transmission.

The diesels will give you about 10 extra miles for every gallon, with the 148bhp range-topper being the best performer of the lot.

It covers the 0-62mph sprint in 8.7 seconds, which beats the 139bhp 1.8-litre petrol by more than a second.

Built to suit European tastes, the Cruze has an extensive list of on-board kit.

Even the entry-level model comes with air-conditioning, remote central locking, follow-me-home lighting, a quality sound system, electric front windows, a fully-adjustable driver's seat and steering wheel, six airbags, electronic stability control and premium bluebacklit dashboard dials - a great package for pounds 12k car.

The mid-range LS models, which start from pounds 12,595, add 16in alloys, electric rear windows, a chrome-edged radiator grille, front fog lights and reverse parking sensors.

And if you splash out on a flagship LT, you enter luxury car territory with the likes of cruise control, climate control, automatic headlamps and wipers, an automatic anti-dazzle rear-view mirror, chrome detailing and 17in alloy wheels.

Integrated sat-nav is a pounds 750 option.

The trendy cabin can seat four adults in comfort and the use of soft-touch materials adds to the overall ambience of executive style motoring.

The Cruze should attract buyers on price and good looks, with the diesels holding the strongest appeal thanks to their responsive performance and miserly fuel figures.

Factfile:

Model: Chevrolet Cruze 2.0 VCDi LT Engine: Two-litre diesel Power: 148bhp Top speed: 130mph 0-62mph: 8.7 seconds Fuel economy: 50.4mpg combined CO2 emissions: 149g/km Warranty: Three years/60,000 miles Price: pounds 15,195 On sale: Now

CAPTION(S):

DESIGN COUP: Clever styling means the Cruze combines the look of a coup with the practicality of a four-door saloon