Overall rating:

The Cruze Station Wagon is another string in the bow for Chevrolet alongside the saloon and five-door hatch models. While falling short of the Ford Focus in terms of quality and drivability it is more than a match for its Korean rivals. The new 1.7-litre diesel engine is the pick of the bunch.

Key Facts

Model tested: Chevrolet Cruze SW 2.0-litre diesel
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel
Transmission: front-wheel drive, six-speed manual (figures in brackets are for automatic version)
Body style: five-door estate
Rivals: Ford Focus estate, Hyundai i30 Tourer, Kia cee'd SW
CO₂ emissions: 126g/km (166g/km)
Combined economy: 59mpg (45mpg)
Top speed: 130mph (128mph)
0-62mph: 8.8 seconds (9.8 seconds)
Power: 163hp at 3,800rpm
Torque: 360Nm at 1,750rpm

In the Metal:

To appeal to buyers who would normally shy away from estate models Chevrolet has followed the lead of manufacturers like Kia and Ford by styling the Cruze SW as more of an extended hatchback than a straight out estate. A shallower rear window than the five-door model hides the fact that the SW is over 10cm longer. Despite the more generous rear overhang the SW still maintains a nicely balanced profile. At the front end the SW is identical to its hatchback and saloon stable-mates so wears the family face and trademark Chevrolet bowtie logo. We are not too sure about the split grille though as it overcomplicates the shut lines around the bonnet.

While a lot of the switchgear inside the Cruze will be familiar to anyone who has driven a Vauxhall recently the Chevrolet has a style all of its own. The cowls around the instrument cluster are said to have been inspired by those in the Corvette and while fabric trim on the dashboard should not work in theory, the reality is it breaks up an expanse of plastic that verges on Focus level, but ultimately falls short.

Driving it:

Three engine options will be offered at launch - a 1.6-litre petrol with 124bhp, a 1.8-litre auto with 141bhp and a new 130hp 1.7-litre diesel. Later in the year they will be joined by the 2.0-litre diesel that we drove, which offers 164hp and will be available with either a six-speed manual or automatic transmissions. It is a refined unit with plenty of low down grunt to carry the SW's 1.5-ton weight. Fuel economy of 59mpg and CO₂ emissions of 126g/km are decent enough for an engine of its size but from a buyer's perspective it is usurped by the cleaner, more efficient 1.7-litre unit with its only real redeeming feature being the option of an automatic transmission.

Handling wise the SW, like its hatchback sibling, is a bit of a mixed bag: vague steering that offers little in the way of feedback but with a chassis that offers decent grip, body roll control and ride quality. Only larger road imperfections find their way into an otherwise refined cabin. It will certainly not challenge the Ford Focus in the driving involvement stakes but is more than a match for some of its other main rivals like the Kia cee'd SW.

Supportive seats up front offer good bolstering for long journeys while the rear seat can hold two adults with ease or a third at a squeeze over a shorter distance. With the seats in place there is an ample 500 litres of boot space on offer, growing to 1,478 litres with the rear seats collapsed.

What you get for your Money:

Three trim levels - LS, LT and LTZ NAV - are offered and the £15,375 entry-level model is equipped with air conditioning, follow-me-home headlamps, roof rails, central locking and an electronic boot release. Mid-range LT adds £1,100 to the price but comes with a leather steering wheel and gear knob, front fog lamps, rear parking sensors, cruise control and 16-inch alloy wheels.

Top line LTZ NAV (£19,785) models include a seven-inch colour display screen, satnav, Bluetooth, auto wipers, self-dimming mirror, auto lights, rear parking sensors with rear view camera, electronic climate control and 17-inch alloys. ESC and traction control are standard across the whole of the Cruze SW range.

Worth Noting

An infotainment system, known as MyLink, is being offered as an optional extra and brings smartphone capabilities to the car. Manufactured by LG Electronics the system includes a seven-inch touchscreen display with Bluetooth and USB connectivity for smartphones and MP3 players. The unit will allow owners to download special apps and will include a rear-view camera that supplements the parking sensors.

Summary

The Chevrolet Cruze SW makes a compelling case for itself with its spacious interior, decent boot and refined, comfortable drive. A low price puts it ahead of many of its rivals while the standard specification on all but the base model should be more than enough for most needs. It falls short of the Ford Focus Estate in terms of quality and drivability, but it is more than a match for its Korean rivals.