Tyler Lipa
Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com
September 5th, 2013
Welcome to the era of diesel. From pick-up trucks to compact sedans there will be more diesel powered choices in the next few years than ever before. Chevrolet’s first foray back into the forbidden realm of diesel powered cars is the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze Turbo Diesel. Chevrolet didn’t choose to launch its first light duty diesel in an all new vehicle; instead it hid the diesel engine in plain sight under the hood of the unassuming Chevrolet Cruze.
Saving the best for last is overrated so let’s just dive right into the engine bay. Chevrolet’s first light duty diesel displaces 2.0 liters and produces 151 horsepower at 4000 rpm and 264 lb-ft. of torque at 2600 rpm. Chevrolet engineers also added an overboost feature that raises maximum torque to 280 lb.-ft. From a driver’s perspective there is no clear indication when overboost happens. In reality it’s just a marketing gimmick that makes the Cruze sound just a little bit better on paper than its German competitor, the Volkswagen Jetta. If you’ve always done your own maintenance, the Cruze Diesel is a bit different than what you’ve come to expect. Oil for the Cruze Diesel must meet Dexos2 specifications. Dexos2 is the General Motors standard for light duty diesel engines.. Regular fuel filter changes are also a requirement for diesel engines and typically are required every 12,000 miles. Make sure to keep an eye on the DEF, diesel exhaust fluid, level that can be accessed through the trip computer. The tank, located in the trunk where the spare tire would be holds enough fluid for about 10,000 miles. Diesel exhaust fluid helps the Cruze maintain its clean diesel status. Luckily this fluid is available at auto parts stores, truck stops and even Walmart. Welcome to the life of clean diesel ownership.Unfortunately it’s very obvious that Chevrolet is new to the world of passenger diesel engines. Compared to modern Volkswagen TDIs the Cruze diesel is reminiscent of diesel engines from the early 2000s. For some, the noise might be endearing, but in North America refinement is the name of the game and this engine needs a little more work. Another issue with the Cruze Turbo Diesel is a significant amount of lag on initial take-off that can be a bit disconcerting when you’re turning left against oncoming traffic.
But what is the rest of the car like? On to page 2!
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