Chevy Cruze could change Americans' views on diesel

Americans have an aversion to diesel-powered cars that's not shared by the rest of the world. Visit Germany, and you'll find most cars burn diesel. Here in the States, diesel cars are as rare as hens' teeth.

Part of it has to do with diesel's emergence during the 1970s and '80s, when the OPEC oil embargo forever established fuel economy as an overriding concern among car buyers. The diesel engines from these years were smoky and noisy, and the cars they powered were very slow off the line.

Four decades have passed. Now turbochargers have solved acceleration problems, while a host of emission controls have erased their propensity to emit stinky, sooty fumes.

Don't believe me? Try the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze Turbo Diesel.

If you didn't know any better, you wouldn't know that the Cruze is a diesel until you looked at the fuel economy rating: 27 mpg city, 46 mpg highway. And, according to the EPA, the annual cost of fueling the Cruze TD is between $50 more to $150 less than other Cruze models.

Of course, that's not the whole story.

Whereas a typical gasoline-powered car has a range of a little more than 300 miles, the Cruze TD has a range of as much as 717 miles — on one tank of fuel. My own measurements saw the Cruze easily return 50 mpg in highway driving. Overall mileage was an impressive 37 mpg.

This little mill's power is impressive, with little turbo lag off the line. You will hear some diesel engine clatter around town, but the cabin quiets down at higher speed.

Like other Cruze models, the Cruze TD is very fun to drive. It remains fairly flat through corners, and there's enough grip to keep things interesting. The steering is light, but doesn't feel lifeless. Bumps are absorbed without commotion. Braking is average.

The Cruze is loaded with safety gear, including 10 air bags, electronic stability control, rollover sensors, pre-tensioning front belts, traction control, anti-lock brakes and rear ultrasonic parking assist.

Interior ambience is as nice as you'll find in this class. The instrumentation is lit in a cool blue light, and has markings that resemble those on an upscale watch. Soft-touch materials are sprinkled throughout the cabin.

Front-seat space is very good; rear-seat space is a bit tighter, especially when it comes to legroom. Still, I was able to comfortably carry three passengers.

Overall, the Cruze ably competes with the diesel-powered Volkswagen Jetta TDI. Yes, the VW has a larger trunk, more rear-seat room and can be fitted with a manual transmission, but the Cruze feels more upscale, has a higher-quality interior and handles better. Most important of all, the Cruze goes farther on a tank of fuel and returns better mileage.