2010 Holden Cruze CDX Diesel
October 8, 2009 by Matt Brogan
As of the end of September Holden had sold 6,144 Cruzes, so when the announcement came in today that Holden will add a highly specified diesel variant “due to popular demand”, it wasn’t just a marketing ploy!
The diesel Cruze makes the most sense by far with fuel economy ratings of 5.7L/100km so it was always a surprise that it wasn’t offered in higher spec from the get-go, nonetheless come 2010 Holden will add a CDX diesel in manual and automatic transmissions to go along with the CD diesel, CD and CDX petrol models.
“Cruze has shot straight into the top 10 of Australia’s best selling cars – we’re delighted with the reception it’s getting in the marketplace.Cruze offers outstanding value for money and we’re seeing many customers opting to buy the higher specified model with the petrol powertrain. Diesel is proving a popular alternative so it made sense to introduce a new model that offers the best of both worlds.” Holden’s Executive Director Sales and Marketing, John Elsworth, said.
Unlike the unsuccessful Holden Epica which it replaces, the Cruze encompasses five-star ANCAP safety with well finished package and great fuel efficiency for a very affordable price.
The 2010 Holden Cruze CDX diesel will be specified the same as the petrol CDX with the addition of a tyre inflator kit and a spare wheel (as per CD diesel models)
Standard Features include:
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
- Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
- Six airbags
- 17 inch alloy wheels (4)
- Cruise control
- Leather steering wheel
- Leather appointed seats with heated front seats
- Rear parking sensors
- Steering wheel audio and cruise controls
- Trip computer
- Power windows, front and rear
- Automatic headlamps
- Fuel Economy
- Official combined fuel economy figures (ADR81/02) for the new models are as follows:
- CDX Diesel (manual) 5.7l/100km
- CDX Diesel (auto) 6.9l/100km
Pricing
The Recommended Retail Prices:
- Cruze CDX Diesel (manual) RRP $27,990*
- Cruze CDX Diesel (auto) RRP $29,990*
* Not including dealer delivery or Government charges.
Print it: 
Side profile still reminds me of the euro Vectra Hatch that used to be on sale here. That was a cool car.
Yep, own the CDXi V6 Vectra and love it! It was so underated, though I guess it was expensive when new.
Starting to see a few Cruze’s on the road now. Still not sold on the styling, it’s not bad but hopefully the hatch will look better when it’s released next year. I’ll be interested to see if HSV do go ahead and work on the Cruze. The diesel makes more sense than the petrol, particularly with the amount of torque it puts out.
Any Cruze owners out there care to comment on the build quality and any reliability issues?
likewise, seeing a few more on road now also. Regarding the hsv version, would mean them eating their words that they dont do korean cars….. or was that just that wouldn’t do epica and captiva?
What? Cruze is Korean? It can’t be. It is a Holden so it is made in Australia. The Holden PR machine wouldn’t lie.
PS: Seeing as some people have trouble working it out, I AM being sarcastic. I also know that the Holden PR machine doesn’t say that it is made in Australia, however they don’t say that it isn’t either. Holden are very clever marketers and say just enough for many people who don’t have a clue and/or are gullible enough (much of the public it seems) to assume it actually IS made here because Holden is so “dinky di” Australian.
Why would you buy this over a Vw Golf?
Price.
Value equation with all that Kit
Agreed however I can pretty much promise to you the new 1.6 tdi golf would drive alot better, eventhough it doesnt have the kit of the Cruze…
We all agree on that. BTW how many posts do you reckon this article will have by the end of they day seeing as its about Holden?
Not sure but I find that the KIA posts have the most – average between 60-90 a post…
Km, you option a golf up to the Cruz level and you have to be looking at $10 000 more with the high price of the VW options, I found my Mazda6 was better value than a golf.
I was also disappointed with the quality of the South african made series 5 golfs in australia, just not up to the standards i was used to with the euro built golfs.
and Shak, imagine it was a holden vs ford article, it would’ve got hundreds of inane posts
I have driven a Golf v didn’t like the weak air con,lame life less stearing,patchie quality,premium price for features and rattles.Idrive a AH Astra with none of these problems.
The diesel is $3,000 more expensive in the CD so why is it $4,000 more expensive in the CDX. It looks like Holden may be getting greedy.
The price of the CDX and Diesel has gone up $500 since launch, so $20,990 (man petrol) + $3500 CDX + $3500 Diesel = $27,990
Still fantastic value!
The Australian Dollar has gone up since the introduction of the Cruze,so they will land in Australia at a lower price.
For Holden to put the price up with the Australian Dollar rising is just greedy.
This is what i have and many others that i know been waiting for. I really liked the value and kit of the CDX but not the lacklustre powertrain. Now that i can have all that lovely torque from that nice oiler,they have just got about another ten sales. GO HOLDEN!!!
When they produce a hatch and bring in the GM 1.4l turbo, as well as building in Australia, sales will go through the roof I reckon.
I doubt they will put a turbo in this car!
GM has already confirmed a 1.4 Turbo Petrol is slated for the Cruze
I really want a turbo diesel wagon one of these! Im looking forward to the variants being made at the SA Holden plant.
Hopefully the styling will be more to the tastes of Australian’s, but the success Holden is having with the current design may prompt them to stick with it and not spend money on design.
I’d still pay more for the golf, resale value will be so much better so you really don’t lose out. Good effort though on the Cruze, I’ve checked them out and they aren’t bad for the money.
For Golf money one can buy a Honda Euro a much better proposal all around!!!
So what was your point again?
You can’t by a Euro with diesel. Besides which the re-sale is not an issue. The extra you get on the Golf is offset by the lower price of the Cruze at purchase plus the lower price of the Holden servicing. Have you ever seen the service costs that Honda charge? They are around the same as VW. Expensive.
Max, I was just highlighting the pointless comparison of the Golf to the Cruze which in similar equip spec are miles apart on price!
The Euro was an example of a better car than the Golf for the same money, not a comparison to the Cruze.
One of these in manual would make a good daily driver keeping the k’s off the more exotic stuff. I have driven the CD diesel auto and found it a good car which will be improved with a manual ‘box and better spec.
Drove a CDX petrol as a rental recently, better on the road handling wise than a Corolla, though really needed more torque around town – the diesel option will certainly help! Work colleague has the CDX petrol now and rates it higher than the VZ Commodore they downsized from… hmmm…
alot of cars rate better than a VZ commodore though.
When you are paying 20-25 grand changeover on a new car over your perfectly good existing car, of course your going to say that your new car is better than your old one, you dont want to look like an idiot to your family and friends…… unlike my uncle who much prefers his old 2004 Mitsubishi Verada to the new BMW 523i he got.
Yeah most people who trade in an old car will claim that their new car is better so they dont look like schmucks. My neighbour swears black and blue that their new Falcon G6E is much better than the 04 Audi A6 it replaced, in this case I tend to believe him though.
Mmmm they obviously have taken a pay cut to end up in a G6E. So I guess they would have to say that wouldn`t they?
Small mistake in the article – Cruze replaced the Holden Viva (and Astra), not the Holden Epica.
Might as well replace the Epica though lolol.
But aren’t they still selling Astras and Vivas? What’s happening with the EPICA? They’re going to still sell those ugly things???
No they stopped importing the Astra and they dont sell new Viva’s anymore. They are just trying to get rid of both of the old models to make way for the Cruze.
Hey, Mark-E, well they’re not on the Holden website, so they’re both been discontinued, but they are still selling in low numbers. Viva sold 17, Astra 161 & Twintop 20 in September but by years end, most cars will have been sold.
Epica sold a dissapointing 195 cars i sept. I agree, why hasn’t Epica been axed? As much as Holden tries, Epica still doesn’t win with buyers. Just get rid of it. Makes perfect sense. Go HOLDEN!
Holden can’t just rid itself of the Epica, because like it had to do with the Viva, it has to be selling the current horrible model to get in line for the excellent new model coming which will be based on the GM Epsilon II platform
Can anyone confirm that the petrol engine is the same as the previous model Astra?
If thats the case, I would imagine that the turbo 2 litre from the Astra SRi (I think) should go straight in?
Sounds like the logical range topper above the CDX to me.
It is strongly rumoured next year that the Cruze will get a direct injected turbo 1.4l petrol engine standard, with great low-down torque and diesel-like economy.
Yes but that was rumored to be a base model and the 2 liter turbo would be like a warmed up cdx version. I actually think the they might put that into the local hatch to go with the rest of the market, and i think the sedan will maintain the diesel as its top spec.
Hmmmm, I thinkt he 1.4 will be good enough for both CD and CDX.
davie,
it is the XER motor out of the last ah astra(150k belt change)but is the new delta platform,so i don’t know for sure if any other motors will fit without mods,but anything that goes in the new model astra(which we’re not getting yet) shouild fit..
Turbo………………. lag
maybe if you’re driving a MY94 WRX.
I had one for a weekend and thought the turning circle was far too big for ’small’ car. I was underwhelmed with the styling and was annoyed with the way the central control monitor reflected up onto the windscreen at night. The sound dampening was first class though. The car has to be best in class for that. As far as dampening and insulation goes the thing glided over bumps – I was really impressed with that. I thought the buttons looked cheap and nasty though – not tactile at all. I reckon the interior would wear faster than most of its rivals. I’d be going with the Mazda 3 or Ford Focus instead. Turbo lag was intolerable and made me nervous driving around car-parks. Truly aweful. A mate of mine had a drive and immediately agreed. The lag is now a running joke. I’d go so far as to say its dangerous. The car refuses to move off the line for a good 2 seconds. It doesn’t sound like alot of time but it is when your trying to move out of the way of a K108 Kenworth!
I drove the CD – not CDX. Same engine though.
Good move Holden. About time anyway. All we need now is the Hatch & 1.4 Turbo. 1,318 sales in September due to very high demand. They can’t get them out the door fast enough. You buy one now, it’s like January/Febuary next year. There’s so many around. Seen 2 just going 2 the shops. Congrats Holden on Cruze success. Go HOLDEN!
I’ve noticed so many on the roads, it’s insane. Lots of airport rental cars on Cruze’s in Cairns.
I cant understand why a lot of people hate the Epica? Korean? Crap? Or something else?
But remember the Cruze is Korean as well as Epica
Correct the article: The Cruze replaces both Viva and Astra (compact car), doesnt replace the Epica which is mid-size car
I don’t understand why the Cruze has flourished while the Epica hasn’t. They are similar looking cars, both built in the Daewoo factory in Korea, with petrol and diesel engines.
Because it was engineered and designed for the world by nearly all of GM’s major brands. The Epica on the other hand was a rebadged Daewoo Tosca that was almost 5 years old when it came to us. The place the Cruze is being built doesnt have much impact nowadays, its the quality of the materials and the engineering that makes the Cruze a good car.
Indeed, the Cruze is a new platform and – considering that nothing but rubbish came out of Korea just 5 years ago – is certainly a convincing package. However, I feel that cars like these and the new generation Kias and Hyundais are still only 80% there as complete packages. Totally contrary to what the Cruze advertisements say, I didn’t hear a reassuring thud when I slammed the door on one, and while the interior looks very classy, the exterior is rather derivative. It will sell well to the Holden faithful (of which there is a lot – just look at Barina sales) and on value.
I do not understand why the dullards at Holden have listed the tare weight of the Cruze diesel at 1506kg thus moving it into the next, higher registration fee bracket( same as a VE or FG). A bit more thought and revision of product planning i.i shaving 7kg off its tare weight would have had it in the same rego bracket as its direct competition!
Otherwise a fine car in the diesel but the r.r.p premium over petrol is a big pill to swallow in this competitive class, especially compared to the I30 diesel.
Imagine an Australian made hatch, with a 1.4 turbo getting some where around low-mid 6 l/100km.
If holden do it right, they’ll be on a winner
you mean like VW did with the Golf GT 1.4 twin charger?
Except one that doesn’t break, like the VW’s seem to right now.
Or the Fiat Abarth…………..
http://www.caradvice.com.au/43.....rally-car/
The Opel Astra uses this engine in Europe, and it gets <6L/200km and sub 10secs 0-100km/hr.
I have a feeling people will embrace that option, there is still a weird stigma associated with a diesel.
Likewise, when the Ford Focus gets Ecoboost, people may flock to it.
Give me the new Opel Astra any day over this heap; might be cheaper but will never replace the Astra
JAYSON,
got to admire your brand loyalty,however you may have to move to europe to embrace it…
I would still prefer my i30cw SX Diesel Manual. If only Hyundai had enough common sense to offer the i30cw Diesel in SLX form with a manual option. The auto is rubbish.
Getting my black cdx on tue after a long month and a half wait…, Love the car for the price and the interior is great.
Shame about the petrol engine on the cdx though it was just decent enough for me to consider buying the cruze over other cars in the price range would definetly prefered a diesel or petrol turbo. Might have to do some engine modifications once the warranty is done with :P or just buy the new model when it comes out..
got mine for $25500 (rrp 29500 – 3000 from haggling – 1000 for trade-in i had lying around) + full tank petrol and mats. Getting tint done privately from arma tint 350 for there best tint ( holden dealer charge around 500…)
CONGRATS MATE but lucky for me i put my decision off long enough to be able to get the CDX with diesel. Only thing thats weird is how you haggled 3000 grand off the price when Holden dealers around my area are trying to find enough potential buyers who would pay full price. I tried to haggle with one and he told me that he actually had customers inside the building who were ready to sign the deal and that he didnt want me wasting his time. But congrats anyway.
yea guess i was lucky i bought mine month and a half ago when they first started coming out. i find that shopping on a weekday the the best time to haggle as there is practically no one there and there desperate for a sale. Not a bad idea to bring a couple of people with you to talk between yourselves about the price etc, and put them in competetion with another holden dealer nearby seems to work well :P They can always go down in price id never buy at RRP.
Dont be fooled into buying this car, its a daewoo. Look at the quality of the astra that were not getting. That is the real headline. Shame on you holden.
Iam disappointed Holden is not bringing the latest Astra too Australia,i have owned a TS and AH and quiet happy,Holdens loss i will be looking at VW Polo new model plus Golf.