Overview & Reviews

The Chevrolet Cruze does not have history on its side. The Chevrolet division of General Motors has historically done "big" well: big trucks, big family sedans and big V8 muscle cars. When it comes to small cars, though, the General hasn't been so good, with the lamentable Cavalier and Cobalt being the two most recent examples. But that's changed with the compact Chevrolet Cruze sedan, an honest first-class upgrade that meets its world-class competition head-on.

The Cruze's handling is sharp and precise, and its fuel economy is potentially quite high. There's even a diesel version that should give Volkswagen Jetta fans something to think about. With a variety of truly impressive competitors available these days, we wouldn't exactly call the Cruze a class leader, but its well-rounded nature shows that Chevrolet can now do "small" as well as "big."

Current Chevrolet Cruze
The Chevrolet Cruze is a five-passenger compact sedan offered in LS, LT, LTZ, Eco and Diesel trims. A 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine generating 138 horsepower and 125 pound-feet of torque motivates the Cruze LS, while the LT, LTZ and Eco models upgrade to a turbocharged 1.4-liter engine with 138 hp and 148 lb-ft. The diesel features a 2.0-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder rated at 151 hp and a formidable 264 lb-ft. The LTZ and Diesel come standard with a six-speed automatic transmission; the other trims have a six-speed manual, with a six-speed automatic as an option.

Regardless of trim, the Cruze is well equipped, as even the base LS gets air-conditioning, full power accessories, Bluetooth phone connectivity and a six-speaker sound system. Like many modern compact cars, the Cruze can be equipped with a variety of comfort and convenience features previously reserved for luxury cars. These include blind-spot monitoring, leather upholstery, heated seats, a power driver seat, a rearview camera and a 7-inch touchscreen with smartphone integration. Just because you're buying a small car doesn't mean you can't have all the bells and whistles.

In reviews of the Chevrolet Cruze, we've praised its athletic handling, even on standard-suspension cars. The available sport-tuned suspension predictably provides a firmer ride, but it compensates with downright sporty responses on winding roads. Less appealing is the regular automatic transmission; it's reluctant to downshift at times and not particularly smooth. Happily, the torque-rich Diesel gets a different six-speed automatic that's more responsive -- this is one of our favorite Cruze models due to its excellent fuel economy and spirited acceleration.

Taking center stage inside is a dual-cowl dash layout seen on some other Chevrolets, combining with two-tone color options to create a stylish environment. However, the Cruze uses some plastic trim that seems cheaper and harder than that of its competitors. The Cruze's front seats are a bit narrow, which might be an issue for some drivers, but they offer plenty of adjustment and are both supportive and comfortable. A low cushion for the backseat diminishes comfort for longer-limbed riders, whose thighs will have minimal support. Actual legroom is average for the segment, but the trunk is surprisingly large.

Used Chevrolet Cruze Models
The current, first-generation Chevrolet Cruze was an all-new model for 2011. A few new features arrived for 2013, including a rearview camera and Bluetooth streaming audio. The Diesel model didn't debut until the 2014 model year.

User Reviews:

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  Great everyday driver, with style! - 2014 Chevrolet Cruze
  By darnell1977 - October 16 - 9:45 am

  I bought this car for my wife. She didnt think that she would like a small car coming away from a Nissan Armada let me tell you she was wrong, cant her out of it. The car looks small in stature but interior has good spacing and a large trunk for a small vehicle. The car handles very firm but is really fun and comfortable. We have owned an Audi A4 1.8 turbo a while back and it handles just like it, very predictable and hugs the road. The ride is smooth and bumps are effortless. The electronics inside the car are great for long trips or short work journeys. Let me be the first to admit we were going to opt out on the Mylink and the other, GET THEM YOU WONT REGRET IT!

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  Great value - 2012 Chevrolet Cruze
  By cscott952 - October 11 - 9:25 pm

  Im very happy with my Cruze. I have about 13k miles on it, and still feel its a great value. I have driven/owned many types of cars, and Im still quite impressed with this car for the money. Its my daily driver, and general use car. Since the turbo engine has a broad power band, its very driveable. Its not fast, but responsive enough to make it nice to drive. The engine idles very smoothly too. The cabin is quiet at highway speeds, and the seats are comfortable on long drives. Aside from the armrest, I have not complaints!

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  Nice car - 2013 Chevrolet Cruze
  By bubblegum1 - September 28 - 4:09 am

  I have had the 2013 Cruze LT for month now, have driven over 2,000 mi. Some things that I have to nitpic are. The seats are hard and uncomfortable. I get lower back pain. I have tried all kinds of adjustments to no avail. I had to add a cushion to help in comfort. I have a problem that service can not find cause. The dash lights and 7" screen will go out for about 30 to 40 seconds and then come back on. It does this once in awhile. The door locks are on the console and not door which is weird. No inside trunk release, cup holders seem to low and very hard to find in the dark due to no lighting in that area. Armrest is to short. Back seating is a joke. Other than that car runs well.

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  Unsure right now If I like it or NOT - 2013 Chevrolet Cruze
  By mommy_dearest3 - September 19 - 9:15 am

  Bought my 2013 Cruze in Oct 2013. No problems until yesterday - engine light came on, its still in the shop so I cant comment on that now. Reasonable performance for an economy car, I have the convenience package, which has a car starter, bluetooth and backup sensors, which are indeed convenient. It idles rough at times, one back seat pocket-not good Throttle response is terrible. Merging out on a highway can be challenging, doesnt have good punch at all.

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  What a Car!!!! - 2014 Chevrolet Cruze
  By cruzeowner2 - September 18 - 9:47 am

  Since I purchased the 2014 Cruze Turbo Diesel I have been getting outstanding hwy mileage such as the last trip I made was for 523 miles and my average at 70 miles per hour was 49.5 MPG. The car has plenty of get up and go in fact I must be careful as it can get too fast too quick. The Cruze is very comfortable with plenty of headroom and great foot space to stretch out. I was concerned with the power needed to climb the hills but was pleasantly surprised when the Cruze really didnt have to strain much at all. I highly recommend the Cruze Turbo Diesel to anyone wanting to drive green.

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  Nice ride - 2014 Chevrolet Cruze
  By ohiobound - September 10 - 10:45 pm

  My wife and I just purchased a 2014 Chevy Cruze Ltz. I have been a life long Chevy consumer and was looking for a compact to midsize car that was kind of sporty but dependable. After research, the Cruze was the car we were shooting for. We went to our local Chevy dealer and requested to test drive the Cruze I saw on their website. It is a 2014 LTZ, with black exterior and interior with all the bells and whistles. The 18" wheels look good on this car. The interior is comfortable but the back seats are a little cramped. The front dash and surrounding area is easily accessible.

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  Poor Fuel Economy - 2012 Chevrolet Cruze
  By romantilly - August 27 - 8:01 pm

  I bought the Chevrolet Cruze 1 year ago after reviewing and driving many other models. I needed something with good fuel economy because I drive 130 miles to work each way. The car was advertised at 30+ for city and 42 for highway. About 90% of my driving is straight highway miles at 75 mph with the vehicle on cruise control. My average fuel economy on highway has dropped from 32-35 to less than 30, and around town from high 20s to low to mid 20s. The car does not deliver what it advertises.

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  Worst Car Ive Ever Owned - 2013 Chevrolet Cruze
  By cpson - August 23 - 6:41 pm

  Numerous problems as others have mentioned. Hesitant, jerky transmission that never shifts when you need it, like merging, lane changing, or accelerating after a turn. Transmission bucks while cruising at constant speeds. Car occasionally lurches forward, or hops with the brake pedal fully pressed. Steering wheel is off-center and car pulls to one side. Thinly padded seats offer no thigh or back support. Rear seats are even more uncomfortable and very cramped. MyLink randomly restarts and drops Bluetooth connections frequently, and radio reception is spotty. Sub-par 25 MPG in city driving. Steering wheel obstructs view of gauges. Bad blind spots. This will be my last GM vehicle.

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  Surprisingly good car - 2013 Chevrolet Cruze
  By david331 - August 22 - 4:43 pm

  Ive been driving for a long time and have never bought a car from an American company until now. The Cruze is more solidly built than our previous Hondas and Toyotas, and I recently got 45 mpg driving from Georgia to Virginia.

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  30,000 mile review - 2012 Chevrolet Cruze
  By captdavid100 - August 15 - 6:56 am

  Car purchased December 2011. Trouble free since new. Main reason for selecting the Cruze 1LT was the availability of the six-speed manual transmission. Recently completed 2,200 mile road trip - average fuel burn 36.4 MPH (real - not computer). The car remains surprisingly tight, is very quiet, tracks well with no torque steer and a all and all a pleasure to drive. Because the engine lacks "punch" it takes a little getting used to when passing or entering a highway - pay attention and drive defensively. I look forward to driving the car every day and enjoy the Cruze much more than I would have thought. GM deserves two thumbs up for designing and delivering a quality vehicle.