Hello, my name is Peyton Manning and while my friend Daisy Mae usually does the car reviewing, I insisted that I had to write about the 2011 Chevy Cruze because I believe it saved my life. Well, I know for sure that I wasn’t hurt in this “almost accident” thanks in large part to the restraint harness I was wearing at the time. It was purchased thanks to the recommendations of BarkBuckleUP.com.Even though I sometimes try to eat my safety harness, I know that it is there to help keep me from becoming a flying projectile in case of an emergency like one that took place during another ordinary car ride on an otherwise ordinary day. So what happened on this day that made me such a believer in this affordable compact family sedan?
It all started when I insisted that I had to go along in the car when we were headed out to eat as a family at a Mexican Restaurant. As we were driving to dinner a man in a very large SUV didn’t see our 2011 Chevy Cruze sedan in his blind-spot and he started to pull into our lane. This error in judgment forced us into oncoming traffic on the already treacherous Pacific Coast Highway here in Southern California!
As the SUV entered our lane the quick and precise handling of the 2011 Cruze ensured that we were able to perform emergency lane change maneuvers that would have caused lesser cars to spin in circles. The surprisingly strong 1.4 liter 138 horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder also had the power to get us past the SUV before having a head on collision with oncoming traffic.
Now, I realize that the 2011 Chevy Cruze has a class leading 10 airbags, is an IIHS “Top Safety Pick” and that On-Star automatically notifies emergency responders after an accident but from my view the best accident is the one that can be avoided. I am also glad that, like my family, I was wearing my safety belt harness.
Vehicle Tested: 2011 Chevy Cruze 2LT
Base Price: $20,675
Price as Tested: $21,890 (including destination)
Options on Tester: 17-inch alloy wheels/4-wheel disc brakes ($395), Compact Spare Tire ($100)
Engine: 1.4 liter Turbocharged Ecotec 4-Cylinder
Power: 138 horsepower/148 lb. feet of torque
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
0-60: 8.9 seconds
EPA Fuel Economy: 24 city/36 highway
Economy as Tested: 32.4 miles per gallon
Gas Tank Size: 15.6 gallons
Runs on: Regular Unleaded
Trunk Size: 15.4 cubic feet
Curb Weight: 3,109
Turning Radius: 35.7 feet
Crash Test Ratings (IIHS): 2011 “Top Safety Pick”
Airbag Count: 10 (Standard)
Warranty: 3 years/36,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty
5 years/100,000 mile powertrain warranty
Vehicle Assembled: Lordstown, Ohio
Vehicle Provided by: General Motors
Who is Daisy Mae, she is the new PAW investigative automotive writer for Bark Buckle UP. She is an 8 year old Boxer who, until recently, called Boxer Rescue Los Angeles her only home. As a senior citizen among many adorable Boxer pups, her chances of being adopted seemed pretty dim. But A freelance auto journalist who works from home, adopted little Miss Daisy Mae and has put her to work helping him write reviews. She now travels with him in every vehicle that he tests and offers up her unique take on what makes a vehicle or product truly “Pet Safe.”
Bark Buckle UP is recognized as the go-to expert and leading research team on pet travel safety. While promoting the pet safety, Bark Buckle UP founder Christina Selter has safely buckled more than 10,000 animals into vehicles, been featured 1,200 national and local newscasts, international press conferences and automobile trade show, delivered over 4,000 pet oxygen masks through her Bark 10-4 program and secured almost 3,000 animals in life vests. Using cutting-edge technology Christina taught more than 60,000 families in her pet safety classes around the country.
