2017 camaro vs 2011 cruze?
 

Hi,

I saw the 2017 camaro, with 2.0 Turbo engine, looks amazing!
I currently own a 2011 Chevrolet Cruze Eco, and get average of 32MPG.

It's really low for a cruze, and I think the main reason is that I'm either going below it's efficiency level (traffic, city speeds of 35MPH), or over (highways at 65+MPH).

On the highways, the cruze runs most efficient at between 50-55mph, where the engine runs at 2-2.25k RPM, and averages at 50-55MPG; but lowers at speeds over 60MPH to 45MPG or below.

I mostly ride at those speeds, with the avg ranges from 60-75MPH (sometimes peaking over 80MPH).

I was looking at the Camaro, hoping with it's taller gearing that I would get better gas mileage at least on the highways. The amount of travel I do, I was hoping to save a few bucks on gas, switching over.

Of course, I don't just buy a brand new Camaro, to save a few bucks of gas.
I am in love with the car, prefer it by far over the Mustang (Mustang always had a nicer interior than the camaro, but not anymore).

And now I'm just trying to justify a few more reasons to do the swap?

I haven't seen the newer 4-cyl Camaro yet, but that 8-speed automatic might help even in city due to its quite wide gear spread.

If the choice is limited to just the Cruze and Camaro ignore this, otherwise and while not knowing your range I'd suggest a 4th gen Prius or Chevy Bolt if you can afford them, or a used Volt, 3rd gen Prius or any small engined Honda if TCO comes into play.

Last spring they had a manual Camaro Turbo at Dave Smith Motors brand new for about $21,000 (MSRP was about $28k). I believe that was only about $3000 more than their Cruise deal. I think that's a heck of a deal for a more basic Caddy ATS.

Drag racing or MPG?

Keeping eco in mind, i would look at the 1.4 turbo in the cruze. The 2.0 turbo can make a lot of power, around 400hp, with stock internals. I'm sure it's plenty of fun, depends on your priorities.

Real world numbers
 

I've put about 15,000 miles on a 2016 Camaro automatic 2.0 turbo (with the base tires) in the last year. It is capable of some relatively good fuel economy. It'll get ~35 MPG driving 70 on a windless day, and you can average over 40 going slower (it shifts into 8th gear at 44 MPH). It has really nice range with a 19 gallon tank, fantastic "one tank trip" car.

I haven't driven the older Cruze much, but spent a little time in a new hatch. It easily gets 5, if not 10, MPG more under the same conditions as the Camaro. Smaller motor, smaller car, smaller tires, it adds up and makes sense.

8th gear at 45mph?
That's ridiculous!
The manual has 6 gears, and a 10% gearing difference, so probably around 40.
My 1.4liter turbo does 6th at 35 mph, but usually shifts at around 40.

I was kind of hoping that the engine would rev lower, since I'll be getting the manual.
That's a real turnoff for me. As well as the Camaro taking hi octane fuel.. no.. I'll stay with my Cruze.
Why is it that almost every car on the market shifts through the 6 gears at below 40?
And at 80 are revving close to their redline?

Thanks for the input, but it's a clear turnoff for me ��

Shoot, son, I'm ten gears in, and reaching for the next just past fifteen mph.

Looks like the ratio in top gear for the 6 speed is exactly halfway between 7th and 8th for the auto.

Not great :-/. Now if you could take a 6.2L 6 speed and swap in the final drive gearset from the T2.0L 6 speed, you're in business. Except that starting in 1st would be painful.