When I started to do reviews for my blog I never anticipated I would have the amazing opportunity to do such things as fly in a helicopter, go up in a hot air balloon, get a hug and a kiss from Sir Elton John or sit a foot away from Hugh Jackman (and he smiled at me!). I must say that 2011 has been an amazing year as far as unbelievable opportunities that have been bestowed upon me.
What a more fitting way to end this incredible year with another unbelievable review opportunity – a car! That’s right, I get to take a brand new car for a test drive for an entire week. It’s so surreal when I think about it.
For the record the last brand new car I had was a 1989 Ford Escort. It was the first, last and only brand new car I’ve ever had. All my other cars have been purchased used. I currently drive a 96′ Mazda.
My husband’s last brand new car was a 96′ Mitsubishi. The only reason why he got that brand new is because the car he had before that was totalled when someone sped through an intersection in the rain and spun out of control, crashing into my husband’s car and totalling it. Sigh…
I am so envious of people with new cars, especially the ones with all the “bells and whistles” like On Star, XM Radio, dashboard GPS system and more. My car doesn’t even have a CD player! I can only play cassettes in my car. Ugh!
Imagine how THRILLED I was when I was offered the opportunity to test drive and review a brand new car. Talk about jumping for joy!
This past Friday a beautiful 2012 Chevy Cruze was delivered to my home. It’s the car of my dreams! Not only is it a beautiful car and a perfect size for my family but it also is packed with all those “bells and whistles” I’ve always dreamed of – included heated seats! It’s 30+ degrees outside. Do you know how magnificent heated seats are. WOW! My kids are jealous because they are only in the front seats and not the back seats. 🙂
When the car first arrive my husband would leave it. He couldn’t get enough of the new car smell. I on the other hand was having a blast pressing all the buttons to see what they did. We were like kids in a candy shop.
Not to sound chauvinistic, but I’m a woman. I really don’t know about the technical things when it come to cars, and frankly I don’t care. If the car looks good, performs good, is safe and has a nice comfortable interior I’m happy.
They kids were excited to get a ride home from the school bus stop in the new car and couldn’t wait for the trip up to Grandpa’s house the next day in the new car.
On Saturday my husband drove it up to my father’s house. I was in the passenger seat, still playing with the buttons.
Here are some of my general observations.
– The Chevy Cruze is considered a compact car. I don’t think it is. I’d an average size car and it offers plenty of room inside.
– My husband was not happy with the head rest on the driver’s side. He said it was too big and it blocked him from getting a good view behind the car when backing out.
– The car has heated seats – HEATED SEATS! If you have never experienced heated seats on a cold day before, you are missing out.
– The car was really quiet. Not as quiet has a hybrid, but a lot quiet compared to our cars and other cars we’ve driven in.
– It rides very smoothly. At one point in our trip we had to drive up a very steep hill for about a mile. Not once did the car seem to jump when shifting gears (is that the correctly terminology?). With my car, when I drive up a steep hill it will be slow (no matter how far down on the gas pedal my foot it) then it “bucks” and drives a little faster. That did not happen with the Cruze. It kept the same speed up a steep hill and never bucked.
– There is plenty of room inside, however I felt like my head was going to hit the ceiling. I’m short (5’3″) and for some odd reason I felt like the roof of the car was close to my head (it wasn’t). Aside from that I felt very comfortable in the passenger’s seat. My kids said they felt like they had plenty of room in the backseat.
– The car feels really “solid”. I have driven in cars that seem like they have thin doors and are made entirely of plastic. My husband’s Chevy Prism felt that way. The doors just seemed so thin and I always worried about his safety when he drove it. The Cruze feels like a much more “solid” car. I felt safer in the Cruze than I did the Prism.
– The Cruze has a really big trunk. I like that. Plenty of room for shopping.
– The XM Radio, OnStar and dashboard GPS are obviously extras, but they are well worth it. 🙂
– You can turn the passenger air bag on and off with the simple touch of a button. That is great for those times when you might have a child in the front seat. Technically children shouldn’t be in the front seat but I know there are times you have no choice. When you do have a young child in the passengers seat you simple press a button and turn off the airbag for their safety.
These are just a few of my observations. My husband is going to take the car to work a few days this week since I only drive locally. He has offered to write a guest post about his thoughts on the Chevy Cruze. I’ll post his review later in the week as well as some specs about the car.
I think we sold a Chevy Cruze too! My father really liked the car. It was one of the cars he was looking into. After seeing it in person and going for a test drive (my husband drove him around the bloc) he’s even more convinced that this is the car for them. Too bad I can’t get commission. Ha Ha.
We have the car until Friday. I’ll have my husband’s review and my final thoughts either Thursday or Friday. I’ll also be hosting a giveaway for TWO $25 gas gift cards for TWO winners (one gift card per winner). The winner’s will be able to pick the gas card they want to win too.
For more information about the Chevy Cruze visit www.Chevrolet.com/Cruze.
Kimberly
*I am reviewing the Chevy Cruze free of charge. There is no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own.
Alison says
It’s so pretty and sleek! I love the touch screen on the dash!!
Betty Baez says
nice!!! i really like chevy’s we drove one for about two weeks it was a g6 coupe i think?? but it drove soo smooth, im so jealous! 😉
Tricia Nightowlmama says
I love CHEVY!!! I own a Chevy Tahoe and I would never switch back to a Chrysler or a Ford. Chevy’s to me just carry such an overall better quality and service that you can’t find anywhere else.
Jessi Likey says
It’s gorgeous. Oh how I wish I had one. I’m always one or two steps behind everyone else technology wise so I have no idea when I’ll have a car with all the bells and whistles that the 2012 Chevy Cruze has.