Used 2012 Chevrolet Cruze Eco Sedan Trims & Features

The 2012 Chevrolet Cruze Eco Sedan is equipped with a 1.4-liter inline-4 cylinder engine that is turbocharged to generate extra torque in addition to the 138 horsepower it would create on its own. This provides a substantial amount of power to a small car while not adding a lot of weight, increasing the fuel efficiency. The EPA estimates that with the manual transmission that comes standard on this vehicle, the Eco Sedan can get up to 28 MPG in the city and up to 42 MPG on the highway. For a vehicle that isn't a hybrid, this kind of fuel efficiency is remarkable.

Another great feature of the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze Eco Sedan is the amazing amount of interior headroom and the quality workmanship seen throughout the interior. The interior of the Chevrolet Cruze Eco Sedan is posh and luxurious. Cheap, shiny plastic isn't a rule here, it's the exception. The dual-tone interior color schemes work great to create an atmosphere of comfort. The front seats are a bit narrow, but it works to create a side-by-side cockpit feel that gives this fuel efficient sedan a sporty feel to go along with the turbocharged engine. However, the backseats are a bit uncomfortable due to the low seat cushion and minimal legroom so taller passengers will find space at a premium. The trunk space is one place that will not be lacking. The 2012 Chevrolet Cruze Eco Sedan has one of the largest trunk areas in its class, measuring at 15.4 cubic feet.

The Eco trim package on the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze Eco Sedan provides several gas saving and convenient features. Lightweight alloy wheels replace the steel wheels and the tires are approved as low rolling resistance to increase fuel efficiency. It also has a smaller gas tank. This means you'll fill up just as often but you'll be saving gas in the process by not carrying around the added weight of the tank and the fuel inside. As far as standard convenience features, the Chevrolet Cruze Eco Sedan comes with OnStar, a six-way adjustable driver's seat, a CD/MP3 player with six-speaker sound, full power accessories, a trip computer, air conditioning, a tilt/telescoping steering wheel, and the 60/40 split rear seat for access to the trunk. There is an optional package to add a USB port, Bluetooth, and steering wheel mounted controls for the audio system. Navigation is also an optional add-on.

With the OnStar subscription service that is optional for the equipment already installed in the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze Eco Sedan, many more features become available to Cruze Eco, including three safety features: stolen vehicle tracking, emergency service, and airbag deployment notification. However, OnStar is not only useful in the case of an emergency. There are several convenience features to an OnStar subscription in your Chevrolet Cruze Eco Sedan as well: roadside assistance, guidance to your destination, help in finding your destination, and hands-free calling. In the Cruze Eco Sedan, the OnStar equipment is already a standard feature and owners only need to subscribe to the service to be able to benefit from the advantages of having OnStar.

The benefits to having a fuel efficient car are many. The challenge is in finding the right one, with all the right features, at the right price. The 2012 Chevrolet Cruze Eco Sedan has some tough competition including the Honda Civic Hybrid and the Mazda 3, both of which get excellent gas mileage and great features and can be purchased for about the same price. However, the Chevrolet Cruze Eco Sedan has an upscale interior design that you won't find in either the Civic or the Mazda 3. It also has a turbocharged engine that will give the driver more power than the Civic Hybrid can produce, while the Mazda 3's rotary engine can keep pace. All three vehicles in this class have earned great safety scores from independent reviews and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

However, while the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze Eco Sedan is available in either a manual or automatic transmission, if you opt for the automatic you may find it sluggish on takeoff and acceleration. You will also lose some of the fuel efficiency of the Cruze Eco when opting for the automatic transmission. The interior, while designed to appear luxurious, is not very comfortable in the narrow front seats or the low back seats, which can make this vehicle hard to sit in whether you are the driver or a passenger. The exterior design is simple and sleek which matches quite well with the interior styling and many would agree that the overall quality of the vehicle would be hard to beat by any manufacturer, which is why this vehicle has been as successful as it has since its debut in 2011.