2012 Chevrolet Cruze Trims and Specs

Laudably well-equipped, miserly on gas, decently appointed and overall a value-laden family sedan, the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze LS seems destined to be around for awhile. This compact 5-passenger conveyance carries, in addition to 15.4 cubic feet of trunk space, 16-inch steel wheels and power-adjustable mirrors on the outside, with premium cloth upholstery, height-adjustable front seats, full power accessories and simulated alloy cabin accents adorning the interior. Telescoping tilt-wheel steering is complemented by standard OnStar Directions and Connections technology, while air conditioning and floor mats in front and rear remain well-appreciated constants again this year. Entertainment, meanwhile, is offered via a single-CD player with 6 speakers, satellite radio and an auxiliary MP3 input.

Options for the base Cruze LS trim include the Connectivity Package with Bluetooth hands-free calling and a USB connection, as well as standalone options like splash guards and front fog/driving lights.

Powering this front-wheel-drive (FWD) compact 4-door is a normally aspirated 1.8-liter inline 4-cylinder (I4) engine boasting variable valve timing (VVT). Mated with either the standard 6-speed manual transmission or the available 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission, the Cruze LS pumps out 138 hp and 123 lb-ft of torque. Mileage is estimated at 25 mpg city/36 highway with the stick-shift transmission, and 22/35 with the shiftable automatic.

Notable standard safety features aboard the 2012 Cruze LS include 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), traction and stability control, front and rear side-mounted airbags, and front and rear head airbags. Further standard safety equipment includes daytime running lights, dusk-sensing headlights, a post-collision safety system bolstered by OnStar alerts and a remote antitheft alarm.

Destined for the rental car fleets of the nation, Chevrolet’s 2012 Cruze LT Fleet trim offers most of what the typical rental customer wants in a temporary ride. Premium cloth upholstery, height-adjustable front seats, simulated alloy trim and full power accessories all come standard in a well-wrought cabin, while 16-inch alloy wheels adorn the profile. Telescoping tilt-wheel steering is bolstered by a standard trip computer, with air conditioning, as well as front and rear floor mats that contribute to a surprisingly spiffy interior. Finally, a single-CD player with 6 speakers is bolstered by satellite radio and an auxiliary MP3 input.

Available extras in the 2012 Cruze LT Fleet include cruise control, carpeted floor mats and a 6-way power-adjustable driver’s seat.

Sporting a turbocharged 1.4-liter inline 4-cylinder powerplant with variable valve timing and a standard 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission, the front-wheel-drive-only 2012 Cruze LT Fleet puts out 138 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque. Mileage with the blown I4, meantime, runs 26 mpg city/38 highway.

Noteworthy standard safety equipment, finally, includes 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), traction and stability control, front and rear side-mounted airbags, and front and rear head airbags. Daytime running lights, as well as dusk-sensing headlights, a post-collision safety system and a remote antitheft alarm also come with this rental fleet staple.

Gaining a few additional perks over its lesser siblings, the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze 1LT represents the essence of the value-laden family 4-door. This compact 5-passenger sedan not only packs 15.4 cubic feet of trunk space, it also gets standard 16-inch alloy wheels and power-adjustable mirrors outside, with premium cloth upholstery, height-adjustable front seats, simulated alloy cabin trim, full power accessories and a leather-wrapped steering wheel mounting audio and cruise controls inside. Telescoping tilt-wheel steering and OnStar Directions and Connections technology puts some extra convenience into this nifty sedan, with front and rear floor mats and air conditioning also adding their bit.

Bluetooth hands-free calling, meantime, complements a single-CD player with 6 speakers, satellite radio, an auxiliary MP3 input and a USB connection.

The available All-Star Package includes a power sunroof and 9-speaker Pioneer premium audio system. The RS Appearance Package, meanwhile, offers unique front and rear fascias, front fog/driving lights and a rear spoiler, while the Driver Convenience Package offers remote engine start, rear parking sensors and a 6-way power-adjustable driver’s seat. Finally, splash guards and carpeted floor mats are just a couple of the standalone options available.

Powered by a variable-valve-timed (VVT) 1.4-liter turbocharged inline 4-cylinder (I4) engine that mates with a standard (for 2012) 6-speed manual transmission, the front-wheel-drive Cruze 1LT puts out 138 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque. A tepid 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission is available to this midlevel trim, while gas mileage has been improved to 26 mpg city/38 highway with either transmission.

Notable standard safety features for the 2012 Cruze 1LT include 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), traction and stability control, front and rear side-mounted airbags, and front and rear head airbags. Daytime running lights, dusk-sensing headlights and a post-collision safety system are bolstered by OnStar alerts, with a remote antitheft alarm as a standard security feature. Lastly, front fog/driving lights can be delivered as optional safety equipment.

Boasting a svelte profile, a smaller gas tank and low-rolling-resistance tires, the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze Eco is estimated to get up to 42 mpg. And the appeal of this 5-place compact sedan doesn’t end there. Equipped on a par with its 1LT sibling, the Eco sports 17-inch polished alloy wheels, power-adjustable mirrors and a rear spoiler outside, with full power accessories, height-adjustable front seats, simulated alloy accents, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel mounting audio and cruise controls adorning the inside. Telescoping tilt-wheel steering is, of course, standard aboard this gas-saving compact, as is manual air conditioning. Trunk space, meanwhile, is a surprisingly spacious 15.4 cubic feet.

Front and rear floor mats add a bit of class to the Eco, while standard Bluetooth hands-free calling and OnStar Directions and Connections technology are among the more noteworthy techno-goodies aboard. Entertainment, meantime, is presented by a single-CD player with 6 speakers and bolstered by satellite radio, an auxiliary MP3 input and a USB port.

Options in Chevy’s fuel-saving Eco include the Driver Convenience Package with rear parking assist sensors, 6-way power adjustable driver’s seat and remote engine start. A 9-speaker Pioneer audio system is also available to the 2012 Eco, as are a hard-drive-based navigation system, carpeted floor mats and splash guards.

Powering the Eco is a turbocharged 1.4-liter inline 4-cylinder (I4) engine that mates with a 6-speed manual transmission (made standard this year) for 138 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque. A 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission is, of course, available to this streamlined Cruze trim, while variable valve timing (VVT) helps ensure mileage remains estimated at 28 mpg city/42 highway with the manual transmission, and 26/39 with the automatic.

Standard safety features again abound on the 2012 Eco, including 4-wheel antilock brakes, traction and stability control, front and rear side-mounted airbags, and front and rear head airbags. Daytime running lights also come standard, as do OnStar alerts that back up the post-collision safety system. Finally a remote antitheft alarm is standard, while front fog/driving lights can be added as an option.

Packing plenty of added features and appointments, the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze 2LT represents the penultimate trim in this compact sedan’s lineup. Boasting seating for 5 and 15.4 cubic feet of trunk space, this upper midlevel trim also flaunts a sport-tuned suspension that complements its 17-inch alloy wheels.

Heated leather-trimmed front seats are bolstered by the standard power-adjustable driver’s seat, while the telescoping and tilting leather-trimmed steering wheel mounts audio and cruise controls. Leather and simulated alloy cabin accents are embraced by full power accessories and manual air conditioning, with entertainment provided by a single-CD player driving 6 speakers, satellite radio, auxiliary MP3 input and a USB port. Finally, Bluetooth hands-free calling remains standard, as does OnStar Directions and Connections technology.

The RS Package with rear spoiler, upgraded instrument cluster trim and unique front and rear fascia details is an option for the high-end 2LT, while rear parking assist, keyless entry with push-button start, hard-drive-based navigation, a power sunroof and/or carpeted floor mats remain additional options.

The 2012 Cruze 2LT is again powered by the turbocharged 1.4-liter inline 4-cylinder (I4) engine. Mated with the now-standard 6-speed manual transmission, this blown I4 puts out 138 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque, and is estimated at 26 mpg city/38 highway. A 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission is available to this upper-midlevel trim and flaunts the same performance and mileage numbers.

Notable standard safety features aboard the 2012 Cruze 2LT, meanwhile, include 4-wheel antilock brakes, traction and stability control, front and rear head airbags, and front and rear side-mounted airbags. Further standard safety equipment includes daytime running lights, dusk-sensing headlights, a remote antitheft alarm and OnStar alerts backing up the post-collision safety system. Front fog/driving lights, finally, remain optional.

As the top-shelf trim of the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze compact sedan lineup, the 5-passenger Cruze LTZ boasts a little touch of luxury in addition to the ubiquitous 15.4 cubic feet of trunk space. Meanwhile, standard 18-inch painted alloy wheels and a standard automatic transmission complement the delivered sport-tuned suspension for some extra pizzazz in the commute, while a turbocharged 1.4-liter inline 4-cylinder (I4) powerplant mates with the standard 6-speed shiftable automatic for 138 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque. Variable valve timing (VVT), finally, ensures mileage estimates of 26 mpg city/38 highway.

Leather-trimmed upholstery and heated front seats remain standard aboard the 2012 LTZ, as does the power-adjustable front seat. Heated power-adjustable outside mirrors complement power windows, keyless entry and push-button ignition, while the telescoping and tilting leather-trimmed steering wheel again mounts audio and cruise controls. More leather, as well as simulated alloy trim decorates the cabin, with all of it embraced by automatic climate control bolstered by Sun Sensor technology.

Bluetooth hands-free calling is standard, as is OnStar Directions and Connections service, while a single-CD player with 6 speakers are again bolstered by satellite radio, an auxiliary MP3 input and a USB connection.

Well-endowed as it is, the flagship LTZ still offers such optional equipment as the RS Package, with added exterior and interior trim upgrades, as well as a rear spoiler. Meanwhile, a power sunroof, remote engine start, hard-drive-based navigation, keyless entry and ignition, splash guards, carpeted floor mats and Pioneer’s 9-speaker premium audio system once again can be delivered as available extras.

Safety-wise, look for standard 4-wheel antilock brakes, traction and stability control, front and rear head airbags, and front and rear side-mounted airbags aboard the 2012 Cruze LTZ. Daytime running lights, front fog/driving lights, dusk-sensing headlights and a remote antitheft alarm also come standard, as does a post-collision safety system backed-up by OnStar alerts.