Just like a show dog or thoroughbred race horse, the Chevrolet Cruze has a good pedigree—good enough to compete in the compact segment currently ruled by the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic.

It has sold well in Europe, where it received a five-star safety rating and positive reviews. That’s an excellent start.

Let’s look at the stats and features:

• 140 horsepower 1.4L turbo and a 138 horsepower 1.8L normally aspirated engines, the primary difference is fuel economy with 40 mph highway estimated for the smaller engine
• Six-speed automatic and manual transmissions
• Front independent strut suspension, rear semi-independent torsion beam with Watts link
• Ten standard air bags, including frontal, side-impact, roof rail head curtain, rear seat side air bags and new knee air bags
• Five-star safety rating in Europe
• Electronic stability control with rollover sensing
• Bluetooth, USB connectivity and navigation system
• XM Satellite Radio and OnStar
• MacPherson strut front suspension and Watts Z-link rear suspension, with 16-, 17- and 18-inch wheels
• Traction control and anti-lock brakes
• Rack and pinion electrically assisted power steering

Quality, fit and finish are GM's focuse for the Cruze interior.

Good papers alone don’t make for a winner. The Cruze has been well-received in Europe and that bodes well. In the U.S., GM needs to bring this car to market without any glitches, big or small. The automaker has set high standards for fit and finish and needs to meet them to impress buyers.

On the looks side, the Cruze sports an attractive, if somewhat bland, exterior along with a stylish interior that features LED lighting, a driver information center and color matched instrument panel and seat insert panels.

On sale late summer 2010, pricing for the Cruze has not been announced.

While the automaker’s executives push the Volt as the future, the Cruze is in the hear and now, and that’s where GM needs to focus in order to survive. A big-selling compact has eluded Chevy and its parent for decades because of competitive and quality issues. That simply cannot be repeated.

Despite global production, GM says the Cruze built for North America will differ in specs and features only slightly from those sold elsewhere.

The Cruze goes on sale late summer of 2010. Pricing has yet to be announced.