Skoda Octavia vs Chevrolet Cruze comparison

Choosing a new car is always a rather difficult task, since the assortment is huge, and you need to focus on one thing.

Most buyers are guided by a certain class of cars and the available budget. If we talk about the golf class or C-class according to the European classification, then here for relatively little money you can buy a Czech car Skoda Octavia or an American Chevrolet Cruze.

Both models deserve close attention. By comparing their capabilities and characteristics, you can make a final decision.

Technical features

The current second generation of the Chevrolet Cruze model was presented in June 2015. The car reached North American dealers by early 2016. Alas, Cruze is not officially supplied to Russia.

The Chevrolet Cruze is a classic three-box, available in sedan and hatchback styles. Moreover, the hatchback debuted almost a year after the sedan, in 2016.

The Cruze is built on General Motors' modular front-wheel drive D2 platform. The front axle is equipped with a spring-loaded aluminum suspension with MacPherson struts, and at the rear there is a twisting beam in the basic versions, or the Watt mechanism on more expensive trim levels. There are disc brakes in a circle, but only the front ones are ventilated. The steering gear is supplemented with an electric power steering.

The third generation Skoda Octavia was first shown in December 2012, but the full presentation took place at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2013. In the summer and autumn of 2016, the car underwent a planned modernization, which affected the technical characteristics, interior, equipment and appearance.

The Octavia is built on the German MQB modular platform with independent front suspension on MacPherson struts. The rear suspension can be based on a semi-independent beam, or on a multi-link system. The first option is used in versions with a motor power of up to 150 horsepower. All brakes are disc, front ventilated. The rack and pinion steering mechanism has an electromechanical amplifier.

Exterior

If we compare the American Chevrolet Cruze and the Czech Skoda Octavia, purely in terms of external characteristics, the superiority is on the side of the former.

This car has received a brighter, more original and dynamic appearance. Despite its budget, such a car is more suitable for the younger generation of drivers. Inspired by the Malibu, the Chevrolet Cruze, especially in the updated 2020 model year, looks great.

Against the background of the Cruze, even the top-end version of the Skoda Octavia is inferior. The Czech car turned out to be more conservative and restrained. This is a choice rather for the older generation, family people who pursue somewhat other goals, except for a bright exterior.

If we talk about external dimensions, then the Chevrolet Cruze has the following parameters:

• length 4666 mm .;
• width 1795 mm .;
• height 1458 mm .;
• wheelbase 2700 mm.;
• ground clearance (clearance) 150 mm.

Skoda Octavia responds with the following numbers:

• length 4659 mm .;
• width 1814 mm .;
• height 1461 mm .;
• wheelbase from 2680 to 2686 mm. (depends on the engine);
• ground clearance 155 mm.

In terms of dimensions, the Czech liftback is somewhat inferior to the American sedan. But here it is also important to look at how the external dimensions affected the organization of the internal space.

Interior and luggage compartment

If we talk about the organization of the cabin, roominess, comfort of the front and rear passengers, then the Skoda Octavia clearly wins. Feels German pedantry at its best.

Nice dashboard, comfortable front seats with adjustments and heating. The spacious rear sofa is designed for 3 adults. Moreover, there will be enough space for people in the middle. The only inconvenience is the high central tunnel on the floor. Although the exact same problem is observed in the Chevrolet Cruze.

At the same time, the luggage compartment allows to accommodate 568 liters of luggage in the regular position. Octavia can increase this figure to 1,558 liters by lowering the rear row of seats.

The interior of the Chevrolet Cruze is also pretty, but there are some questions about the organization of the control buttons. The company itself assures that with the arrival of the new version, the finishing materials will become better, and there will be no such complaints about the fitting of parts as before. But you shouldn't count on a global improvement. Nevertheless, the car retains the status of a budget model.

The rear sofa is 3-seater, but sitting in the middle is problematic because of the floor tunnel. But the Cruze offers the largest legroom in its class. Namely 917 mm.

The trunk of the Chevrolet Cruze is smaller compared to its opponent. Nominally, 500 liters are provided here, and when the rear row is lowered, it becomes 1500 liters. But the structure of the three-volume body does not allow providing the same level of roominess and comfort of loading and unloading luggage, like Skoda.

If you need a car with the most practical and intuitive interior, as well as with one of the largest luggage racks in its class, then it is better to opt for the Skoda Octavia.

Motors and gearboxes

It is rather difficult to objectively answer the question of what is better to choose between a Chevrolet Cruze or a Skoda Octavia. Each buyer has his own list of requirements.

Many pay attention to the technical characteristics, which are based on the motors and the proposed gearboxes, as well as their dynamic characteristics in the form of acceleration, fuel consumption and top speed.

The Chevrolet Cruze currently offers 2 ICE options.

• The base engine has a volume of 1.5 liters, runs on gasoline and produces 112 horsepower. It accelerates to hundreds in 11.5 seconds, while consuming 6.1 liters per 100 kilometers on the combined cycle. The maximum speed does not exceed 195 kilometers per hour.
• The second 1.4-liter turbocharged engine with 148 horsepower. With it, the car accelerates to a hundred in 5.7 seconds, and consumes 5.7 liters of gasoline per 100 km. in a mixed cycle. The maximum speed has increased to 200 km / h.

These are average passport values, since they are also influenced by the installed gearbox and operating conditions. But these are the minimum values.

Among the gearboxes, a 7-speed automatic, a 6-range robot and a classic 6-speed mechanics are offered.

And in order to compare the Chevrolet Cruze and its competitor with each other, you need to look at the possibilities that are relevant to the Skoda Octavia car.

Three motors are available here at once. Namely:

• Basic naturally aspirated 1.6-liter engine and 110 horsepower. Combines with 5MKPP and 6AKPP.
• Next up is the 1.4-liter turbocharged TSI with 150 horsepower. It can work with 6MKPP and 7DSG.
• The top 1.8-liter turbocharged TSI engine with 180 horsepower. Works with similar gearboxes as the previous engine.

The maximum speed varies from 188 to 231 kilometers per hour with acceleration to hundreds in 7.3-12.2 seconds. Average fuel consumption rates are from 5.3 to 7.3 liters per 100 km. in a mixed cycle.

The two starter motors on Skoda are similar in many ways to those available for Chevrolet. But if you want to get a car with maximum dynamics, then only the 180-horsepower Octavia is left without options. However, do not forget that soon Chevrolet plans to expand the range of engines, offering a more powerful option for the most expensive trim levels of its Cruze.

You can buy Cruze in Russia through gray dealers. But officially, this car is not yet supplied to the Russian Federation. Perhaps the situation will change in the near future.

Security and manageability

Continuing the comparison of cars such as the Skoda Octavia and the Chevrolet Cruze, it is worth mentioning the issue of safety and efficiency of the control system.

If we compare the two candidates on these indicators, one of them will not have much superiority.Chevrolet Cruze has good dynamics, behaves confidently at high speed, and minimal roll is observed in corners. Due to the lower budget bar, this car cannot boast the same wide range of safety systems as the Skoda. But still, everything here is done at a decent level.

Skoda Octavia creates the feeling of a more stable and stable car. It obeys the steering perfectly, does not roll, does not lose steering sensitivity when accelerating to maximum speeds. The security parameters are slightly higher, although globally they are not superior to the opponent.

It is impossible to make claims about the safety of two cars. But still a slight advantage on the side of the Czech liftback and station wagon.

Options and prices

There is no need to talk about official configurations for the Chevrolet Cruze, since no deliveries to Russia have been announced yet.

But insiders are reporting that 3 trim levels are planned. These are LS, LT and LTZ. The minimum cost depends on the exchange rate at the time of the start of deliveries. It is expected that the minimum Cruze will cost 850 thousand rubles. More expensive versions start at 1 million and up.

Speaking about which option is more reliable and better in relation to the Russian market, we can definitely say that this is Skoda Octavia. The machine is better adapted to local conditions, has a well-proven platform, solid suspension and a body resistant to external influences. It is still difficult to say how the new Chevrolet Cruze will behave in Russia.

With trim levels for the Skoda Octavia, everything is much easier. These are versions of Active, Ambition, Hockey Edition, Style and Black Edition, costing from 1.2 million rubles. The station wagon version will cost the most. For the Octavia Combi, you will have to pay at least 1.5 million rubles. At the same time, top-end performances cost over 2 million.

Who to give preference to

Each buyer decides for himself which of the two cars to give his preference. But if you compare the Chevrolet Cruze and Skoda Octavia models, a leader emerges.

And this is the Skoda Octavia. It's worth starting with the fact that the car is officially presented in Russia, and this immediately gives a number of advantages. The car is practical, economical, roomy, with a huge trunk.

In favor of the Chevrolet Cruze is a brighter and more dynamic appearance, decent technical characteristics and price. At a cost, the Cruze is noticeably cheaper than the Octavia. But the Czech is of better quality and more reliable. If the budget allows and the appearance of the Octavia suits you, it is better to purchase this car.