2017 Chevrolet Cruze HATCHBACK! REVEALED!

Hello readers! HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL! I hope everyone's 2016 is off to a successful start!

We're only one week into this new year, and already we have some exciting, long anticipated news! After many years of wishful thinking, fans of Chevy and the Cruze will be excited to learn that GM unveiled the all-new 2017 Chevy Cruze Hatchback model earlier! And I must say, it's QUITE handsome. 

Now, I don't normally care for bright colors on cars such as orange or yellow, but it is hard to deny that this new bodystyle of the Cruze certainly looks quite sporty and stands out from the sea of other compact vehicles currently on the market. That said, I think this is an interesting time to choose to bring this type vehicle into production. As post-90's/post mid-2000's America is known for not being so fond of wagon/hatchback/"mommy-mobile" looking vehicles (*cough* Cadillac CTS Wagon *cough* and minivans *cough cough*). However, there is a niche market for small, maneuverable, edgy vehicles that is steadily gaining momentum around the world, especially in North America. Even as EPA regulations continue getting more strict, while people's love for SUV's/crossovers remains undying. Thus, we have this vehicle here, and an ENTIRE SEGMENT of mini-SUVs, dubbed subcompact crossover SUVs, now entering production to attempt to capitalize on this growing trend.

So Who's All a Player In This League?

As for similar competition, one of its closest competitors, the Kia Forte5 hatchback, is already a few years old now, and will likely need to be updated soon in order to keep pace with the competition. That being said, it is a solidly built machine that recently earned improved IIHS crash test results. The Mazda 3 hatchback surely benefits from Mazda's "Zoom-Zoom" personality and new Skyactiv engine and chassis enhancements. All plusses in my book! However, the 3 hatchback appears to be slightly smaller than the new Cruze hatchback (Chevy has promised this new Cruze model is larger overall than the outgoing model), and Mazda is somewhat of an anomaly to some. The brand makes FANTASTIC, solidly reliable vehicles now, but they don't sell in the volume that many Chevrolet vehicles do. Speaking of Chevrolet: The smaller Sonic in their vehicle portfolio does offer a hatchback model that I hear has decent handling and engine performance. It uses the same turbocharged 4-cylinder engine setup as the 2011-2015 Chevy Cruze. Although, it is definitely down on size, and thus practicality, compared to something such as this new Cruze hatchback and some small SUVs. Regular small SUV's could be considered competition to these emerging subcompacts. But Honda's Fit and new CR-V are possibly the most well rounded, imminent threats to the upcoming Cruze hatchback, with the Fit's go-kart like agility, CR-V's practicality, and both having Honda's famous reputation for reliability to boot. We'll have to see how the new Cruze holds up when it is released later this year.

Other Thoughts

As mentioned, this is an interesting time we're seeing this new Cruze hatchback bodystyle finally come out. Many have been mentioning almost since the Cruze's introduction back in 2011 that a hatch model and a higher horsepower model were both MUCH needed to liven up its portfolio. Well, here's one of those two things here now! Now, as far as I can tell, the hatchback Cruze will still use the same 1.4 liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine the sedan uses. Practicality is assured, given that in general, hatchbacks offer more cubic feet of storage and passenger space in their interiors than their sedan counterparts. It will also have all of the same technology as the Cruze sedan, including Chevy's latest version of their MyLink infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, OnStar with a built-in 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, and the latest array of safety features, such as blind-spot monitoring, forward collision alert, and rear cross-traffic alert.

With the continuing growth of the subcompact crossover SUV market, below $2 a gallon gas prices, and already relatively low American interest in hatchback and wagon-like vehicles, I'm not sure anyone can accurately predict how well (or poorly) the new Chevy Cruze hatchback will perform on the market just yet. Time almost always reveals the answer to life's biggest mysteries, however. I'm certainly interested to try out this new model myself and see what all it has to offer us that's different from past and present hatchback models. I do sincerely hope GM releases an SS or higher-powered RS version of this hatch though, NOT just some appearance package dubbed "sport"-something. It truly is a needed addition in the Cruze's lineup, and would be appropriate given the car's more sporty profile. If this happens, I may just end up getting myself one eventually!

Pricing hasn't been announced for the hatchback yet as of this publication, however, the redesigned 2016 Cruze sedan starts at $16,620. Expect the Cruze hatchback to be released this coming fall, and the new 2016 sedan any day now.

Check back again in the near future for more auto news and reviews!

ROLL ON!

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