The Chevrolet Cruze gets more user friendly for 2012, with tech and equipment upgrades across the model lineup and a 2-mpg bump on the highway for the automatic transmissions. There’s also a new 5-door hatchback configuration, but we won’t get to see it on these shores.

The Cruze has a lot pressure on it to perform, with Chevrolet hoping it’ll be the lynchpin of its continued expansion in Europe, pinning it to compete with brands in the old world. Over there, compact hatchbacks are king, but here we’ll have to deal with the sedan version alone.

Thankfully, it’s an easy burden to lift, with the Cruze superseding expectations set in years past by dismal entries like the Cobalt and the Cavalier. Things get even easier in 2012 with this FWD 4-door sedan offering previous options as standard features. In 2011 a Connectivity Cruise Package was offered for $525 and got you Bluetooth with USB, cruise control and audio controls on the steering wheel, as well as leather trim there and on the shifter. For 2012, the 1LT and Eco trims both receive these features standard. The 2LT and LTZ trims get keyless start, while the Eco, 2LT and LTZ trims get a 7-inch touchscreen display. Additionally, the LTZ gets foglamps this year, and all trims benefit from remote keyless entry with push-button start.

These changes – especially considering they aren’t part of a planned mid-cycle refresh – show Chevrolet’s continued attempts to up its game. This has been increasingly necessary in light of the updates to the Focus we’ve seen, which have definitely shown that economy cars don’t need to feel cheap.

All Cruze trims except the LS share the same turbocharged 1.4-liter engine, producing 138 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque. Buyers have a choice of 6-speed transmissions, and the automatic gets an economy bump of 2 mpg on the highway this year, topping out at 38 mpg for non-Eco trims. The Eco does even better, managing 42 mpg with the 6-speed manual on the highway. These improvements are due to a lowering of the final drive ratio down to 3.53 from 3.87, essentially making overdrive more efficient without losing power down low where the Cruze is certainly not flush. The LS gets a naturally aspirated 1.8-liter engine, good for 136 hp and still managing 26 mph city/36 highway.

Additional features for the Cruze start with a tilt and telescoping steering wheel, an 8-way manually adjustable driver’s seat and a satellite-ready CD and MP3 player with auxiliary input. The Eco trim also gets lighter wheels wrapped in low rolling resistance tires, aerodynamic improvements and additional weight-saving deletions. Unfortunately, one of those adjustments is a smaller fuel tank, which seems a bit like robbing Peter to pay Paul.

More for less is always welcome, and it seems Chevy has figured that out. With competitors continually raising the bar in this previously maligned class, the offerings should only improve. If this is what Chevy has in store for a yearly update, the official mid-cycle refresh should be an interesting affair.