Which is better to choose: Volkswagen Polo or Chevrolet Cruze

Budget sedans are very popular in Russia. Interest in this type of body is difficult to explain rationally, but the world's automakers do not need it: they are just sensitive to the needs of the masses. Therefore, the choice as applicants for the purchase of these models is not accidental. But if Polo is known to our motorists very well, then this cannot be said about the American. Does this mean that he is not worthy of a choice? We will try to find out in our small comparative review.

Features of the models

Back in 2015, GM announced an updated version of the Cruze sedan, which became the second generation. Initially, the model was developed for the local and Chinese car markets, and the car appeared in the Celestial Empire even earlier. The novelty differs from the sedan of the previous generation with increased dimensions and a more aggressive and impetuous appearance, but the weight of the Cruze has even slightly decreased.

As for the updated Polo, originally intended for the Russian market, there are also enough changes here, but they are not global in nature. Better sound insulation can be noted, both for the engine compartment and the interior. The battery has become more powerful, like the starter, which is a pleasant trifle for Russian winters. Together with the increased wiring diameter of the starting system, these measures made it possible to ensure trouble-free starting of the engine at temperatures down to minus 35 degrees. Heated steering wheel and seats appeared in the database.

Appearance

Although the second generation Chevrolet Cruze comes in three bodies, we are naturally only interested in the sedan. Immediately, we note that its appearance looks very solid and modern, but without newfangled sharp broken lines - they do not suit the sedan.

The front bumper has become significantly larger, in the middle there is a new-shaped radiator grille, divided in half by a narrow strip with a characteristic golden cross in the middle. The holes in the grille have become smaller, but this has only improved the feel of the car. The front optics, according to the current automotive fashion, are extended in length and partially extend over the fenders. In the lower part of the bumper there is a narrow air intake, and along the edges there are large niches with small foglights.

The sidewall has ceased to be absolutely smooth, but the relief is poorly expressed, from some angles it is not visible at all. The trunk door has decreased in size, and now the brake lights have moved to it. The shape of the rear optics is far from the correct shape and therefore looks interesting. The massive rear bumper doesn't have any flashy details, but it definitely gives the sedan a more aggressive look. The exhaust pipe is not visible at all - it is hidden in the bottom.

The German sedan looks pretty good too. But when it comes to aesthetics, this is not a component that is Polo's strength. Compared to the Chevrolet, the German looks a little outdated, and this "slightly" affects the time span of a whole decade.

Nevertheless, the car is perceived very positively, thanks in large part to the carefully calculated lines and proportions. Do not forget that a conservative approach to the exterior is characteristic of this German automaker, which relies on other advantages. However, the Polo body still has details dictated by the current fashion: these are, first of all, stampings on the doors and hood. But it must be admitted that they fit so naturally into the existing image that you don't even notice them.

So the exterior of the Polo Sedan is not a competitor to the Chevrolet Cruze, which does not prevent it from selling well.

Interior

This is not to say that the changes made in the second generation of the sedan greatly influenced the interior decoration. Common features with its predecessor have been preserved. Ergonomics have grown, but this is an evolutionary process. What do we have inside? Noteworthy is the massive center console of a futuristic shape. Here is not the largest display of the multimedia system (seven or eight inches), below are the controls for the climate system, controlled by keys or washers.

The steering wheel of the Cruze is multifunctional, three-spoke, not blocking the view of the tidy, which also looks stylish with a small (4.2 inches) on-board computer display in the center.

The convenience of the front seats is beyond doubt, they have an anatomical profile and pronounced lateral support, as well as three-plane adjustment. In older trim levels, there is heating and even a massage function for the driver's back.

As the sedan has grown in size, there is plenty of room in the back row, especially in the leg area. In class C, the Chevrolet Cruze is one of the leaders in this indicator.

The interior is trimmed with textiles and leather, and the latter can change shape, adjusting to the anatomical features of the riders.

The trunk volume of the American is 450 liters, which is a good indicator.

The Polo's interior, like its exterior, is conservative. Here, the German origin is felt literally in everything, especially in terms of ergonomics. All controls are located where they should be, everything is accessible, there are a sufficient number of niches and pockets, the dashboard is very simple and informative, easy to read and interpret.

The driver's seat is also adjustable in three planes and six directions, but there is no back position adjustment. But this is compensated by the anatomical profile of the front backrests. There is lateral support, but it is not expressed well enough, the chairs themselves are moderately stiff, which, with many hours of sitting, is even better than soft seats with a vague profile.

The steering column is also adjustable in all possible directions, without any settings restricting the visibility of the tidy.

The only drawback that can hardly be corrected is the insufficient height of the cabin. The width of the rear space is enough for three average passengers, but the middle one will have nowhere to put his legs - there is a high central tunnel.

The verdict is an approximate parity with a slight deviation towards the Cruze - it is more modern and interesting.

Engines and transmissions

The second generation Chevrolet Cruze has already gained fame and popularity in many world markets. Despite belonging to the golf class, the sedan is moderately compact and economical. The base is a 1.4-liter turbocharged power unit with a capacity of 153 liters. from. It works in tandem with a six-speed manual transmission, but the option with an automatic transmission is considered more economical. A more voluminous 1.6-liter diesel engine develops only 137 horsepower and can be aggregated with a mechanic and a nine-band automatic.

The Polo has three engines:

• 1.6-liter, with a capacity of 90/110 "horses" depending on the boost, with a peak KM 155 Nm at 3800-4000 rpm;
• 1.4-liter turbocharged 125-horsepower analogue (200 Nm at 1500-4000 rpm).

A 90-horsepower engine is paired with a manual transmission. All others can be equipped with both mechanical and automatic transmissions.

In terms of the power of the power units, the comparison of the Chevrolet Cruze and the Volkswagen Polo is in favor of the American, despite the poorer line of power units.

Dynamics, fuel consumption

Chevrolet Cruze with a turbocharged engine and a manual transmission is gaining a hundred in 8.1 seconds. In this combination, gasoline consumption is as follows: in the city - 8.3 liters per 100 km., On the highway - 6.0 liters, on average - 7.3 liters. With an automatic transmission, the acceleration performance deteriorates to 8.6 seconds, and the economy increases (in the combined cycle - 6.09 liters)

The 1.6-liter turbodiesel is not as dynamic - 9.3 seconds, but it consumes less fuel - just 6.4 liters in mixed travel mode with a manual transmission. The same consumption is for the version with automatic transmission.

Volkswagen Polo noticeably loses in dynamics: a 90-horsepower engine with a manual gearbox takes 11.2 seconds to accelerate to 100 km / h. A 110-horsepower engine with a manual transmission does it in 10.4 seconds, with an automatic transmission in 11.7 seconds. And only the turbocharged unit overcame the landmark mark - 9.0 seconds.

But the level of gasoline consumption is less:

• 90-horsepower 1.6-liter engine - 4.5 liters on the highway and 7.7 liters in the urban cycle;
• 110-horsepower unit of the same volume - 4.6 liters with mechanics and 4.7 liters with automatic transmission on the highway and 7.8 / 7.9 liters. respectively in city mode;
• turbocharged engine: 4.7 liters with manual transmission and 4.8 with automatic transmission on the highway, 7.5 / 7.3 liters, respectively, in the city.

Draw your own conclusions.

Controllability

Since the Cruze's engines are powerful, the sedan accelerates quite quickly, even when equipped with an automatic transmission. The width of the torque is impressive, so even at low revs there are no problems with speeding up.

The tuning of the sedan's chassis can be called successful, at least the balance between comfort and handling is very good here. The steering wheel is moderately informative and responsive, there are rolls at high-speed corners, but they are minimal. The energy intensity of the suspension is not the greatest, but it shakes only at low speeds and on roads with minor defects. The suspension swallows large bumps almost completely.

At Polo, the suspension was originally adapted for domestic roads. Therefore, small average irregularities are absorbed quite effectively, vibrations are not transmitted to the steering wheel. But it is not so difficult to "pierce" the suspension, and from the acoustics point of view such an event will be accompanied by a sound of decent amplitude. And in general, the suspension does not work too quietly - you can hear it even on small irregularities. This is not surprising - it is moderately tough, although energy-intensive.

In high-speed corners, the car behaves interestingly - until a certain moment, the roll is present, but within the limits of the norm for this class, but when the speed or angle of rotation grows to a critical level, the angle of inclination of the body, using the entire resource of the suspension travel, remains at the same level. This behavior takes some getting used to.

Comparing the Chevrolet Cruze and Volkswagen Polo in terms of driving performance, we can conclude that the cars are approximately equal, although the Polo has settings for bad roads.

Safety

The new Cruze is equipped with a wide range of advanced active safety systems that work to reduce the risk of critical situations. We are talking about lane control systems, about assistants that monitor the movement of the car in difficult weather conditions. Equipped with an American sedan and functional airbags, made with the latest automotive technology.

The Volkswagen Polo has only the ESP system, everything else is passive SB: two front airbags, child seat mounts, etc.

Options and prices

The basic LS modification, standing in a version with a 109-horsepower engine and a manual transmission of 790 thousand rubles, is equipped with the following options: an uphill assistant, six airbags, parking sensors with a rear camera, climate control, cruise control, power accessories.

The LT grade, which costs from 860 thousand rubles, is additionally equipped with a more modern multimedia system, a large number of parking sensors / sensors, and dual-zone climate control.

The top grade LTZ costs 1.03 million rubles and has an expanded list of options: leather interior, a large number of assistants and security systems, push-button engine start, a modern music system with nine speakers and a subwoofer, bi-xenon head optics, and an electric sunroof.

As an option, you can equip the car with a splitter, door sills, another grille and a spoiler on the trunk.

The base Polo is a Conceptline modification worth 670 thousand rubles, equipped with a 1.6-liter power unit and a five-speed manual transmission. The set of options includes: ABS system, frontal PB, daytime running lights, central locking.

The Trendline configuration costs from 750 thousand, but here you can choose a more powerful motor and an automatic transmission. Here, air conditioning and 15-inch wheels are added to the previous options.

The top version of the Comfortline will cost you 805-890 thousand rubles, and for this money you will have a leather steering wheel, heated windshield washer, heated driver / front passenger seats.

Which sedan is better

If you have carefully read this material, especially the section about equipment, then for sure your conclusion will be unequivocal that the Chevrolet Cruze is better than the Volkswagen Polo in almost all respects. But why, then, does a German sell out like a hot pie and an American not? First, Polo's peak sales are a thing of the past. Today's buyer will recount and double-check everything three hundred times before making the final choice, and more and more often it is not in favor of Polo, because every year the competition becomes more and more fierce. Budget innovations appear more and more often, and the Cruze is one of them.

Secondly, the fame factor has a great force of inertia. Volkswagen Polo is a promoted brand, unlike the Chevrolet Cruze, the second generation of which has just recently appeared in Russian car dealerships. And if you ask the car dealers themselves, you get a completely different estimate - the popularity of the Cruze is growing, and the Polo is decreasing. Most likely, this trend will continue in the next few years - the American looks too tempting, whose top-end modification is equipped almost an order of magnitude better. However, it is possible that in a few years a new bestseller will appear on the market - the situation in recent years has led to such conclusions. In the meantime, we can say unequivocally: although the Chevrolet Cruze and Volkswagen Polo cost about the same, they are completely different cars, and the American leadership looks indisputable.