MECA Awards the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze

The Chevrolet Cruze keeps of winning accolades in the US, with American manufacturer GM doing all that is in its power to let us know every time anybody has anything good to say about the car and the technologies fitted into it.

This time, GM advertises the sound (or lack of it) in the Cruze. The Mobile Electronics Competition Association (MECA) studied several models and decided that the Cruze is the best vehicle when it comes to sound volume, audio fidelity and listening experience.

The Cruze had to compete against the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. The GM car won thanks to the way in which the sound is transmitted and how it is perceived.

“Audiophiles believe that rating audio performance requires critical listening as well as measuring output,” said Steve Stern, MECA president.

“Sound provides a baseline rating of the potential of a sound system, but does not necessarily equate to a great-sounding system. Only the human ear can gauge how natural and believable the listening experience is.”

The Cruze won the sound volume category (112.9 dB of pressure without distortion) and the listening experience (74.83 points out of a possible 100). In the audio fidelity category, the Cruze finished only third, with 14 points out of a possible 40.

“The most important measure of an audio system is how well it recreates the experience of listening to a live performance,” Stern added. “From that perspective, the Cruze was clearly the best of the group, delivering more presence, more realistic sub-bass, and silky smooth midrange."