With VW out of the picture, Chevrolet makes its move with 2017 Cruze Diesel sedan

By Andrew Hard Published December 8, 2016

Many automakers are turning their backs on diesel these days, but General Motors continues to embrace the technology. Chevrolet has just announced pricing information for the 2017 Cruze Diesel sedan, which goes on sale early next year.

Starting at $24,670, the all-new Cruze will sport a 1.6-liter turbodiesel engine that produces roughly 136 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. We say roughly because official numbers from Chevy are still under wraps, but the engine is used under General Motors’ Opel banner in Europe and it makes the aforementioned amount of power. Either way, we expect the power plant to return upward of 40 mpg on the freeway. The motor is apparently so quiet that it has earned the nickname “whisper diesel” abroad. Buyers will also be able to choose between a nine-speed automatic transmission or a six-speed manual.

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In October, Chevrolet confirmed that the Cruze hatchback will get the same diesel engine and transmission offerings as the sedan. Pricing info is to-be-announced for the five-door, but the fact that we’re getting a manual transmission diesel hatchback in the United States in 2017 means it’s not all bad news on the oil-burning front.

The diesel-powered Cruzes are just the latest examples of other automakers benefiting from Volkswagen’s ugly emissions scandal. VW’s TDI products dominated the compact diesel market for years, but with the German brand pulling out of the segment altogether, it leaves room for other manufacturers to swoop in and appeal to customers who like the low-end grunt and fuel economy of a diesel. Mazda recently introduced a diesel variant of the CX-5 crossover at the L.A. Auto Show, and a slew of new BMWs are on the way as well.

It’s taken some big hits recently, but clearly, diesel has some life in it yet.

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Former Digital Trends Contributor

Andrew first started writing in middle school and hasn't put the pen down since. Whether it's technology, music, sports, or…

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You Asked: State of smartphone design, Slate Truck breakdown, and soundbars under $600

You Asked

On today’s You Asked: What's to come with the new Slate Truck and its potential availability? Is it worth the hype? Why does it feel like smartphone design and innovation has stalled recently? And why do directors think that ultra wide 21:9 is a good ratio for movies?
Slate Truck breakdown with John McCann
Some of you have been in touch to ask about the availability of the new Slate Truck. I'll go through the preorder process in a moment, but first, let's get everyone up to speed on this newly unveiled EV. What is it? What makes it stand out? And why is it generating so much buzz?
This is being touted as a sub-$20,000 electric truck after government incentives, and you’ll be able to customize it to your heart’s content. It stands out not so much for what it offers, but for what it doesn’t offer as standard. There’s just one trim and one paint color. No touchscreen, no stereo, no Bluetooth, no electric windows.

So, what do you get? There are two seats. There's a five-meter bed, good for payloads up to 1,400 pounds. There's AC, steel wheels, and hand-cranked windows, plus all the standard driver safety assists you’d expect from a modern vehicle. There’s a rear-mounted electric motor, a roomy frunk, and a battery rated for about 150 miles, according to Slate.
That isn’t great in the world of EV range, but a larger battery will be available to push that figure up to a more reasonable 240 miles. That bigger battery is just one of over 100 add-ons Slate is making available. These will be offered not just at the point of purchase but also at any time during your ownership, allowing you to swap and upgrade as your needs evolve.
Want to add a splash of color? Check out the vast range of vinyl wraps you can apply and remove from the truck at will. There’s also an SUV upgrade kit that converts your two-seater truck into a five-seater car. Inside, infotainment is strictly “bring your own device.” There’s no touchscreen, no built-in CarPlay, not even a stereo. Instead, you get a universal phone mount and a few USB ports. You can also add holders for a tablet if you want a bigger display, and a Bluetooth speaker if you want to listen to music while out for a drive.

Cars

ID. Buzz recall appears to have made automotive history

The VW ID.Buzz electric van.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has recalled almost 5,700 ID. Buzz electric vans because the VW-made vehicle has too much space in the back.

OK, let us explain. The U.S. regulator has found that the third-row bench seat of the ID. Buzz is ostensibly designed for two people and therefore has two seat belts built in. But it’s wide enough for three, and as a result, the NHTSA wants the German auto giant to make some changes so that it fully complies with the required safety standards.

Cars

My next car must have this Carplay and Android Auto feature, here’s why

Google Maps in full screen on the driver's second display on the Chevy Equinox 2025

I’ve been driving a Chevrolet Equinox 2025 SUV rental car for the past week, and it’s reminded me exactly what my next car needs. It runs Android Automotive, which I’ve already decided is a requirement in my next car, but the more convenient feature is arguably how Chevrolet has approached its CarPlay and Android Auto integration.

CarPlay and Android Auto offer immense benefits and virtually no pitfalls to drivers. They’re designed to bring your phone and its apps into your car, and make it easier to access up-to-date maps and traffic data without relying on often-archaic solutions implemented by your carmaker.