Holden on Cruze control

Arriving in Holden dealerships on the 1st of July is Holden's new Cruze. This compact four-wheel drive was jointly developed with Suzuki and is based on the Ignis platform.

It represents somewhat of a gamble for Holden. While the Cruze is is fairly easy on the eyes, it doesn't do itself any favours in the company it finds itself with. The ultra-compact 4WD genre hasn't performed particularly well in Australia - see the Daihatsu Terios and the Suzuki Jimny.

But perhaps the Cruze will change all this - it's well priced, generously equipped and while the engine isn't worth writing home about, it's not a dud, either.

The Cruze is looking for some of what the Honda CRVs and Subaru Foresters of the world have to offer, going for that lifestyle thing everybody wants a piece of. At the same token it's even more compact than the aforementioned compact four-wheel drives, which may beg the question: how small is too small?

Holden's Project Manager for the Cruze, Simon Carr, explains that the Cruze is the first in a line of all-wheel drive vehicles from Holden that will launch in the next 18 months.

"The Cruze is a trailblazer for Holden, and not simply because of its all wheel drive capability. While it is well qualified to compete against other compact lifestyle wagons, Cruze also has great light passenger car credentials.

"With that unique crossover capability, it gives us simultaneous representation in those two important market segments.

"We're confident that the Cruze will have plenty of appeal for people who want a car which makes a definite style statement, which has the ability to take them most places they want to go – and which delivers the dynamic drive character that’s expected of a Holden," Mr Carr concluded.

Indeed, it will be interesting to see how Holden markets the Cruze, and to whom. It's already been established as a lifestyle product, but will it be marketed like the Nissan X-Trail, which is pitched at the mountain-bike riding, snowboarding fraternity? Whatever the case, let's look at what the newest Holden will offer buyers.

Built on the Suzuki Ignis platform, the Cruze is small - measuring 3.6 metres long - and capable of slotting into tight spots, which will make for a generally hassle-free parking experience.

It also offers what many believe helped the 4WD segment take off - the coveted high-driving position. Measuring in at just over 1.6 metres in height, rarely will you find a keen driver who dislikes a high vantage point.

From a visual standpoint, the Cruze is a winner. It's very distinct - you're not likely to mistake it for another model and, despite sitting quite high for such a tiddler, it still maintains presence.

The healights and grille are very-much Holden and while many will harp on about the Cruze being a Suzuki, we think it does a great job of lining up as a Holden. The rear-end is particularly interesting, going for a more unorthodox brake-light and indicator design, which lends it a more individual air.

The Cruze is essentially a part-time all-wheel driver, a bit like the Honda CRV. The front wheels provide power, but when these slip, a viscous coupling differential kicks in the rear wheels as well. The thinking behind this was that buyers of the Cruze wouldn't want a whole mess of knobs and levers operating four-wheel-drive-this and locked-diff-that.

Providing the Cruze' power is an engine built for efficiency, more than power, but it still does an admirable job of carting the all-wheeler about.

With four-valves per cylinder and an aluminium alloy block and cylinder head, the 1.5-litre DOHC inline four-cylinder mill is only 100cc bigger than the 1.4-litre found in the Barina, yet offers 18Nm more torque.

Here are the specs: 74kW of power @ 6000rpm and 138Nm of torque @ 4500rpm. All up, these are quite healthy specs for a 1490cc engine. The power is put to the ground via a four-speed auto or a five-speed manual gearbox, the latter of which would be pick of the two.

Furthermore, the automatic model weighs in at 1000kg, with the manual tipping the scales at 985 kay-gees and there are pros and cons to such a light weight.

The cons involve handling, for the most part, as the lack of weight won't give it the most sure-footed feeling at higher speeds. On the other hand, the emmissions will be down and the acceleration will be up, and if it breaks down, the kids can push it to the servo.

The Cruze achieves fuel consumption of 6.8 litres/100km on the city cycle and 5.2 litres/100km on the highway cycle with manual transmission, and 7.2 litres/100km city cycle and 5.4 litres/100km highway cycle with the automatic transmission.

Keeping its occupants from beign jolted about is independent suspension with MacPherson struts, at the front, together with a stabiliser bar and trailing arms at the rear. While you wouldn't exactly call it cutting edge, this isn't a heavy-duty bush-basher, and for all intents and purposes, the suspension package should do the job well. The Cruze is equipped with disc brakes up front and ye olde drums at the rear and for an extra $700, you can have four-channel ABS, and this also includes electronic brake distribution (EBD).

As for features? Well, this is where Holden is going to win the war, we believe, as the Cruze is impressively equipped. For starters, you get 15-inch alloys, power steering, air-conditioning, front foglamps styled into the front bumper and full size driver and front passenger airbags.

Inside, you can expect a height-adjustable steering wheel, electric mirrors, windows and no modern car would complete without the ubiquitous twin cup-holders either. Remote central locking also made the cut, as did roof rails, rear window wiper, a multi-fuction trip computer including time, date, alarm, trip time and average speed.

The four-speaker stereo comes with a single-slot CD head unit, and talk about storage areas? You get driver and passenger under-dash storage trays, a drawer under the front passenger seat, compartments in centre console, front and rear door storage bins, a 50/50 split fold rear seatback and removable cargo cover.

The five-door Holden Cruze has arrived and with an impressive entry-level price of $19,990, it has the potential to give the marque's all-wheel drive range a great start in life. Like we mentioned earlier, the Cruze does represent a bit of gamble, but when you consider all the standard features included, it becomes clear that Holden has done its homework.

Pricing:

1.5-litre manual $19,990
1.5-litre auto $21,990

ABS $700
Metallic paint $240