IN these times of economic slowdown value for money has become an even greater factor in the new car world.
While this applies in differing degrees to all sectors of the UK market, hotly contested zones stalked by the likes of the Ford Focus, VW Golf, Hyundai i30, Kia Ce'ed and Skoda Octavia, are constantly welcoming new rivals.
Although much is currently happening in the General Motors' camp, particularly events surrounding Vauxhall, another arm of GM Europe, Chevrolet, is looking even further ahead, to the anticipated sales growth to come in Eastern and Western Europe and the UK.
The latest newcomer revving up to join the UK family car line-up on July 7 is the Chevrolet Cruze which aims to follow in the tyre tracks of earlier Chevy models such as the Matiz, Kalos and Lacetti.
Destined, says the US car maker, to be the most important Chevrolet to date, leading the way for a further eight Chevrolet newcomers by 2012, this four-door saloon comes with distinctive design pointers aiming to make an indelible mark in the sector for quality, refinement and value for money.
Despite five-door hatchbacks being firm favourites in the UK, that version of the Cruze is not expected here until late next year so the thick end of Chevrolet's hoped for sale of around 1,000 cars this year will be Cruze saloons with their eye catching coupe profile.
On offer to power the Cruze will be four engine choices, two petrol in the 1.6-litre 111bhp and 1.8-litre 139bhp units while diesel urge comes courtesy of a brace of 2.0-litre VCDi engines pulling 123bhp and 148bhp respectively.
Three trim levels, S, LS and LT, are progressively generous, the entry level 1.6 S coming with standard kit which includes air con, remote central locking, follow me home lighting, a quality sound system with CD and auxiliary input socket plus electric front windows, all for a range price opener of under £12,000.
Expected to be the Cruze range best seller, the LS trim level adds 16-inch alloys, a chrome edged radiator grille, front fogs and reverse parking sensors while the flagship LT trim has leather, cruise and climate control, uprated sound system, electric windows all round and 17-inch alloys.
Inside there are some decent quality fabrics, soft touch vinyls and plastics in a cabin which was is comfortable front and back.
In addition, a decent boot provides 450 litres of stowage area in a neatly squared off luggage bay.Thoughtful storage areas on board include centre console CD store, oddments tray atop the dash, cup and bottle holders.
A comfortable driving position is easily arrived at via height adjustable driver's seat and a steering wheel which adjusts for reach and rake. Dashboard dials are backlit by soft blue lighting, a hue which is soothing for night driving and similar to that of VW models.
The Chevrolet Cruze looks good boasting a sleek roofline and muscular front end to its attractive profile. A wide stance adds weight to the businesslike look while on the move, overall vision is good.
While the 1.6-litre petrol engine paired with a five-speed manual gearbox needed to be worked hard to get the best out of its 111bhp, it does settle down quite agreeably at cruising speed.
The bigger 1.8-litre petrol engine is expected to prove the best seller and, while over a test route, both the 1.6 and 1.8 petrol engines delivered like combined fuel economy figures of 41.5mpg and CO2 emissions of 159g/km, the latter's 0-62mph dash of 10.0 seconds and top speed of 130mph did help to prove the performance point.
The 2.0-litre 150bhp diesel is also a fine performer, paired with a five speed manual gearbox, although there is a six speed auto box option available for an extra £1,100, boasting a figure of around 50mpg on average. The 0-62mph came in under nine seconds and there was ample torque for overtaking.
Built on the General Motor's Delta platform which is expected to form the basis of the next Vauxhall Astra, the Chevrolet Cruze showed off some pretty good handling qualities, delivering stacks of composure through bends. Although the power steering could perhaps have been a little more communicative, this highly capable chassis proved genuinely good with body roll kept nicely in check to produce a comfortable ride.
A handsome looker with plenty of standard kit Cruze is in good order for the showroom. Well priced, opening up at £11,995 for the 1.6 S model, rising through £12,595 for the 1.6LS, £13,495 for the 2.0 VCDi S 123bhp and £13,595 for the 1.8 LT to £15,195 for the flagship 2.0 VCDI LT 148bhp, all adds up to plenty of car for the money.