When General Motors first released the new U.S. market 2014 Chevrolet Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel at the Chicago Auto Show this past February, it said that it estimated the car to return up to 42mpg (5.6 L/100km) on the highway. Now, the General has the official EPA estimates in its hands, with the Cruze Diesel rated at 46mpg (5.1 L/100km) highway.
The Detroit carmaker says this number is “better than any non-hybrid passenger car in America”. In comparison, Volkswagen’s Jetta TDI, Golf TDI and Passat TDI return 42mpg, 42mpg and 43mpg respectively on the open road. The Cruze diesel’s 46mpg is better than some hybrids like the Honda Civic (44mpg), but not as good as the Toyota Prius (48mpg) and VW Jetta Hybrid (48mpg).
“We harnessed generations of diesel expertise to adapt our world-class global engine for the North American market,” said Gary Altman, chief engineer, Chevrolet Cruze Diesel. “The Cruze Diesel is the best diesel passenger car out there. Chevrolet is redefining the meaning of great fuel economy with this car.”
Priced from $25,695, including an $810 destination charge, the Cruze diesel is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged unit delivering 148 horsepower (110 kW) and 258 lb-ft of torque (350 Nm), linked to a six-speed automatic transmission. It completes the 0-60mph (96km/h) sprint in a time of 8.6 seconds.
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