On Wednesday, December 2, General Motors will unveil its new small car, the 2011 Cruze, at the Los Angeles auto show, positioning the vehicle as a hopeful sales contender to go head-to-head with the Honda Civic and the Toyota Corolla.

Engine options in the Cruze will include a turbocharged Ecotec 1.4-liter I-4 (LT and LTZ models) and a 1.8-liter version on the LS. Six-speed and automatic transmission choices will be available, with best fuel economy promised to top out at 40 mpg.

Concentrating on a desire for "big car" features in a smaller, more efficient package, the standard Cruze stereo will have six speakers and a jack for MP3 player input. Customers who move to the top of the range in options can have heated leather front seats, XM Satellite radio, bluetooth connectivity, OnStar, power locks, cruise control, and 16-inch aluminum wheels.

With ten airbags standard, including those in the knee position, GM hopes to bring a new safety standard to the small car genre. Other competitors in this class include the Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra, and Nissan Sentra.

Although a base price for the Cruze has not yet been announced, most pundits are suggesting a figure under $20,000 and Chevrolet has said the sticker price will be "very competitive." Expect to see the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze on showroom floors by July or September of 2010.