The 2016 Chevrolet Cruze is a solid middle-grounder

The segment of small, economical sedans remains a battlefield, despite the onslaught of crossovers.

The last Chevrolet Cruze wasn't exactly a contender in this segment, but its replacement sure is.

The 2016 Chevrolet Cruze sports a complete makeover, giving it an appearance that dances between anonymous and handsome.

It's significantly less animated than the Civic, that's for sure.

But with the RS appearance package, you get a bit of that aggression without looking too ridiculous.

Only one engine is on offer -- a 1.4-liter, turbocharged I-4, good for 153 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque.

When mated to a six-speed automatic, the engine feels like it's constantly trying to hide itself -- that wave of torque never shows up.

But with an impressive array of technology, it's capable of going toe-to-toe with the competition on everything from loadout to value.

Our fully loaded Cruze Premier tester came in at $28,640, which ain't chump change.

But with the top-tier trim starting at $23,120, it's a pretty darn affordable way to join the 21st century.