I hear ya. My Dodge Stratus has performed pretty well over the years. I don’t remember what kind of engine it has but it was responsive and peppy + squealed tires with very little effort lol so in testing out these newer “fuel-efficient” cars has been quite a let down. They are boring and under-powered. The Cruze, at least the one I tested out, did seem to have get up and go. It did have the “turbocharged” engine. Maybe your loaner was the standard?
It was a Base LS Cruze. A Gutless Wonder to say the least.
I figured but the Hamster under the Hood obviously hadn’t been fed.