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This week the Chicago-based Midwest Automotive Media Association heralds the Top 10 finalists for their “Family Vehicle of The Year” award.
To qualify, a 2011 model year vehicle has to have four doors and cost less than $50,000.

Competing vehicles are critiqued, driven and judged by M.A.M.A.’s national membership of professional automotive journalists. The winning vehicle will be announced at the Chicago Auto Show Media Preview, Feb. 9, 2011.

Among the top 10 contenders is the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze.

The compact Chevrolet Cruze transports four adults comfortably in mid-size car spaciousness, while achieving exceptional fuel economy at a base price of $16,995 with freight.
“Chevrolet Cruze is one of General Motor’s ‘global cars’ sold in at least 63 other countries around the world,” says Joe Anderson, sales consultant for Mike Anderson Chevrolet in Merrillville. “The automaker has done more testing on Cruze than any other vehicle they’ve built.”
Cruze comes in LS, LT, LTZ and Eco trim. LT models are divided into 1LT and 2LT sublevels with different standard equipment and packaging content.
All but the base LS model is equipped with a 1.4-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged engine with 6-speed automatic transmission for 138 hp. LS comes with a 6-speed manual gearbox paired to a 1.8L 4-cylinder that builds to 136 hp. Automatic transmission is optional on LS.
The Cruze Eco model is built off of a 1LT platform with specific aero-body panels, low-resistance tires and a six-speed manual transmission for fuel economy that reaches 40 miles per gallon.

A $695 RS Package gives racy appeal to Cruze LT and LTZ models with unique front and rear fascias, lower rocker panel valance, fog lamps and rear spoiler.
Inside, Chevrolet Cruze is bathed in cabin comfort with ride quality equal to larger sedans. Cruze is built with 30 cabin acoustic treatments specifically placed to absorb wheel, road and engine noise entering the passenger compartment.

Driver and front passenger enjoy superb NBA-size leg, hip and shoulder space nestled in wide-contour seats.
Back-seat knee and legroom is comfortable for most adult riders. A courteous forward movement of the driver and front passenger seats will easily accommodate the rest. Three youngsters fit on the back seat perfectly. So will two car seats.

Chevrolet Cruze’s 15 cubic feet of trunk space will carry loads of gear, too. Absence of passengers in the back seat allows the 60/40-split rear seat to fold flat into the cabin for increased carrying capacity.

All Cruze models come equipped with today’s most popular features including power accessories, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, anti-lock brakes, traction and stability control, 10 airbags, keyless entry and a complete array of audio jacks and music functions.
The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze is on sale now packed with youthful styling, content and value worthy of placement on a new-car buyer’s shopping list.



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