It’s front-engined and front-wheel driven, with a suspension set-up that’s similar to most of its direct competitors. Despite that, it goes round corners deftly and has gentle hints of understeer when pushed hard. However, we’d reckon that a better set of tyres would easily solve that problem.

It has a McPherson strut front and torsion beam rear suspension, and a chassis that comprises about 65 percent high-strength steel, giving it a reasonably stiff chassis – an important factor in a decently-built automobile.

With all that, the Cruze hardly hesitates to steer sharply into corners and mid-corner adjustments or bumps do little to unsettle it.

But a normal drive on the roads reveals an entirely different story.

Accelerate from the traffic lights and you will soon realise its six-speed gearbox isn’t the most suitable match for its engine. Just to keep up with traffic’s average acceleration, the tachometer needle will regularly rise past 3,000rpm in the first two gears.

But on the highway, there’s another surprising figure – it will hardly pass 2,000rpm, and that’s in sixth gear.

As a cruiser, then, it’s brilliant and comfortably absorbs bumps, while maintaining low cabin noise and providing a mid-level European car-feel.

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