Small cars, overlooked by American automakers since there were American automakers to overlook anything, are finally being taken seriously here in the U.S.A. In addition to the debut of the very stylish and exceptionally spunky Ford Fiesta, the L.A. auto show is hosting the introduction of the U.S.-market Chevrolet Cruze.

Already on sale in Europe—where we’ve driven it—the Cruze is well-designed and -built and doesn’t drive like an afterthought, as small domestics traditionally have. Not only that, but the Cruze contains some of GM’s best thinking. U.S. cars come standard with ten airbags—driver and passenger front, front and rear side-impact and curtain, and driver and passenger knee—as well as stability and traction control.

Competitive Powertrains

More impressive than the safety suite are perhaps the most up-to-date engine choices in any GM lineup. Base Cruzes—the LS trim level—will come with a 1.8-liter inline-four with 136 hp and 123 lb-ft of torque. Upmarket LT and LTZ models will get a tiny, turbocharged 1.4-liter four with 138 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque. If two horses and 25 lb-ft seem like a small gain, consider that that represents a torque increase of more than 20 percent.

Both engines will be available with a choice of equally contemporary transmissions: either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic, both driving the front wheels only. While EPA fuel-economy numbers have yet to be released, GM promises a high-efficiency model that will surpass 40 mpg on the highway.

Big Wheels Keep on Turnin’

Fuel concerns may be shrinking engines and cars, but the one thing they can’t downsize are wheels: even on an economy car such as this, 16s will be standard on LS and LT models. LTZ Cruzes get 17s, and 18s will be optional on 2LT and LTZ models. Official pricing will have to wait until closer to the on-sale date in the third quarter of 2010, but expect the Cruze to mirror pricing for that of the Cobalt it replaces. A base LS should start around $16,000, while a loaded LTZ model will top out in the low- to mid-twenties.