Flashy compacts

Flashy compacts

The Chevrolet Cruze and Mazda 3 stand out in their class with all-new packages for 2011, distinct styling and lavish specs. So which is the way to go?

• Published: 1/08/2011 at 12:00 AM
• Newspaper section:

One million baht C-segment family cars in the Toyota Corolla class are just like traditional home-cooked food, not the staple for the masses.

Apart from being some 300,000 baht dearer than their entry-level 1.6-litre siblings _ naturally more sensible options for the average Joe _ the range-topping 2.0-litre variants ask for nearly as much, their price tagged on baseline D-segment saloons like the Toyota Camry.
And for those still caught up in the SUV fad, a six-figure cheque can get you a Honda CR-V or, better even, a tax-privy Mitsubishi Pajero Sport with loads of metal and seven seats.
However, if you find big cars old-fashioned, then downsizing to C-segment saloons _ with generous spec and performance as those 2.0s are offering _ may sound a reasonable option.

You would even want to be a little more different from the crowd by settling for a five-door hatchback like the Mazda 3, or opt for the eco-friendly Toyota Prius hybrid, or Ford Focus diesel.
But how can one be different in a Mazda 3 or Chevrolet Cruze with traditional saloon body and petrol power?
That sounds like a small market which car companies won't necessarily deny, but the hard fact is that there are buyers in Thailand who still have traditional palates even when the 3 has a hatch option and Cruze a diesel alternative to choose from.
That's why Life has summoned the 3 and Cruze together on these pages this week. They are the freshest arrivals at the moment. Being all-new this year also means a lot to buyers who may want to deflect from the Honda and Toyota crowd.
It may also be coincidence that the 3 and Cruze both happen to have very distinctively styled exterior and interior designs. The Mazda sticks with its fluid and wavy theme, while the Optra-replacing Cruze goes bold with a prominent nose and chunky rear end.

The Cruze’s fascia is flashier, but there’s no faulting the Mazda’s.

This pair stands out even more in-class with their cabins. While the Cruze's looks flashier and more daring, the 3's is slightly more submissive.
But being meeker in appearance doesn't necessarily mean that there are no upsides. In fact, if you take usability into consideration, the Mazda's interior strikes a better balance between form and function.
And when it comes to perceived quality, the 3 takes the upperhand with its higher grade plastics _ at least from what you see or can feel with your fingers.
Since we're talking about range-toppers here, the amount of gadgets thrown into the cars help make them almost "complete" for a Thai C-segment saloon.
It's only the details that separate the two. While the 3 highlights sunroof, steering-mounted paddle-shifters and multi-function display, the Cruze goes for cruise control and side airbags for the front occupants instead.
The packages of both cars are relatively the same, if you don't delve into the exact specifications on paper.

The rear occupants, for instance, will find similar amounts of head and legroom (both have three three-point seatbelts, three head restraints and centre armrest with cupholders integrated into it).
Those backrests at the rear in both cars can also fold to accommodate larger things in the boot, but the Cruze seems capable of swallowing larger items with more ease.
The driving position in the Cruze is also airier than in the 3, which suffers from a too-protruding left footwell.
Even so, the feeling behind the wheel of the 3 exudes sportiness in a tidy manner; the Cruze tries a bit too hard to look distinctive with whacky lines and colours.
To traditionalists, comparing cars with different engine sizes may not seem fair outright. But the Cruze is only 66,000 baht cheaper and its engine is nearly as big and powerful as the 3 (apparently explaining the 3's loftier positioning in the segment).

On the move, those on-paper stats are seemingly confirmed. Under most circumstances, the 3's 147hp 2.0-litre engine feels punchier, more eager and more willing to rev _ if not great by class standards.
This obviously means that the Cruze is a very average performer in this segment. Against the 3, the Cruze's 141hp 1.8-litre motor feels lazier, lacks breath in the mid-ranges and wants to move the gear up rather than the tacho needle.
And despite having a six-speed automatic to its advantage over the 3's five-speeder, the Cruze isn't any economical. The difference in the manufacturers' claims seems to be credible enough after a spin with the two cars from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi (our figures were basically a notch lower than the claims).
By having better performance and economy at the same time, it could be said that the 3 has a better engineered drivetrain.
More differences emerge when you take the chassis into consideration. Although both cars have a tendency to highlight handling over ride comfort, the Cruze's steering and suspension appear more relaxed.

They are very similar to sit in the back.

Although the 3 evolved from the previous model with more comfort in mind, it still feels substantially sporty in the presence of the Cruze with a more precise rack and a dose more of grip.
But one letdown in the 3 is the low-profile tyres rimming the 17-inch wheels which make the ride noisy and harsh. Surprisingly, the Cruze also rides on the same running gear but doesn't seem to suffer its rival's ailments.
You could easily conclude the Cruze is for those needing comfort, or some virtues of D-segment cars when downsizing in the process. The 3, meanwhile, would attract sporty minds needing to stand out in a market filled with uninspiring cars to drive.
To put it in another way, the Chevy is more mature with its more restrained performance and relaxed driving manners, while the Mazda offers the more responsive drive for the younger set of buyers.
It would be very difficult for us to pick a winner, not because they are so similar to each other but for the fact that their execution is quite different.

Mazda has harsher ride.