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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  Honest and to the Point - 2013 Chevrolet Cruze
  By iamvindell - January 31 - 12:01 pm

  Bought brand new. Have it for over two months so far. Great little car. Would highly recommend it to others. Small car, yes, but, if you want more room, buy a Malibu. I bought the Eco model and it has not dissapointed in any way.

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  2013 Cruze Eco Manual - 2013 Chevrolet Cruze
  By main1462 - January 26 - 1:15 pm

  I had a Cruze LS we loved, but traded for a larger Malibu. After a year of poor Malibu mpg, we went back to a Cruze this time an Eco. LOVE this car! After a month in mostly below-freezing weather, Im averaging 36 mpg around town! On three days in the 50s, it got in the low 40s. Highway is 45-50 mpg at 65-70 mph. My fill-ups so far actually show slightly better mpg than the computer reading. The car handles great and is very quiet. The stick is smooth. I have owned GM cars for 25 years, and the Cruze is my favorite. I got this Eco for $17,300 after $3,500 in rebates (mostly from GM card incentives). A friend who rode in my car last week said, "Wow. This is a REALLY nice car!"

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  Like the cruze, hate the MPG - 2011 Chevrolet Cruze
  By easyep - January 26 - 12:05 pm

  I traded in an impala for the advertised gas mileage of the cruze, I took it on a road trip to Myrtle Beach SC and averaged 31 mpg, the impala averaged 32 on the same trip on the open road. I contacted GM a number of times and was old there was nothing that could be done, took it in to a local dealership, the computer scan was normal, tried to get GM to trade it back in for another impala, no luck on that either, during this time my wife bought a new nissan versa because she drives around 150 miles per day the versa averages 38 MPG on te open road and if you use cruise control it will average 42/43 MPG. I feel GM pulled the wool over everyones eyes with the MPG on the cruze

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  Good Value / Decent Mileage - 2012 Chevrolet Cruze
  By csb4 - January 22 - 5:59 pm

  My 12 Cruze LS gets mileage as advertised. Mileage depends *heavily* on driving style. This weekend I drove the family to Disney and got 40 mpg round trip (EPA = 38 mpg highway). Driving more aggressively, Id get 34-36 mpg highway. Like any car, numerous factors are at play: More passengers / more gas in tank = lower mpg. Lower temperatures = lower mpg. Air conditioner = lower mpg. More uphill than downhill = lower mpg (I therefore rely more on round trip values). I have even noticed mpg variations depending on the quality of the road. Some of the comments Ive read probably dont account for these variables, and the many others, that do affect mpg.

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  2012 LT Auto - 2012 Chevrolet Cruze
  By efunk1 - January 21 - 2:51 pm

  I have the 1.4 turbo with 20,000 milesw bought brand new. Fuel mileage is 35.2 on 16,000 miles and avg 38 on hwy under 70 mph. One problem that has come up is when driving down hwy the car drifts a little to the left and when I try to steer back the steering has a catch, (kink) in it. It happens atleast 8 times in a 50 mile drive. Talked to dealer and they said they havnt heard of that happing. I googled steering problem and seen many others with same problem which they all state dealer ran codes and found no problem other than 1 guy had said the dealer was replacing entire front end. I think GM has a big problem and their not letting the cat out of the bag!

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  Update on my 2012 2LT RS Manual - 2013 Chevrolet Cruze
  By bytes220 - January 14 - 11:14 am

  After 13 months of ownership and 17,000 miles I am still thrilled with this car. It is definitely a kick to drive and the gas mileage while somewhat exaggerated by chevy and the bogus trip computer that always estimates mileage 3-5 mpg higher than actual, is still quite good at 30 city, 38 highway. BTW, in all fairness, those numbers are still higher than the EPA sticker. My car is a 2LT, not an ECO. I love the car. Get one for yourself.

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  Awesome Car for a Great Price - 2012 Chevrolet Cruze
  By danmessina - January 13 - 8:57 pm

  I researched the Cruze for several months before purchasing a used 2012 ECO and couldnt be more pleased with my decision. The engine, though small, provides snappy acceleration while delivering 37 mpg in the city and 45 mpg highway in a sporty package. A word of caution for tall folks...if the driver is over 510" forget about legroom for passenger behind driver.

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  Great Value for the Money - 2012 Chevrolet Cruze
  By reviewer22 - January 6 - 10:32 pm

  We actually are leasing a 2012 Cruze 1LT. The ride and quietness of the car are comparable to something much more expensive. The interior is equally impressive for a car that come to @ 20K with tax. You are not getting a Lexus ES350 for 20K, so lets be realistic too. This is a commuter car for us, but the back seat is just fine two kids fit just fine in their car seats. I dont know that I would want to be an adult in the back of any car in this size for any period of time. The disk/drum combo is more than adequate for everyday driving. The steering is crisp and the handling is quite good. If there is a weak spot, I would say its the OEM Firestone tires.

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  More than meets mediocre expectations - 2011 Chevrolet Cruze
  By jackstraw93 - December 30 - 8:52 pm

  The most common complaint everybody has is that there is a problem with the transmission. After test driving dozens of cars in this class and finally buying this one I can say the computer operated transmission is STRANGE but youll have the same problems on all other cars with the ctv transmission. That being said I so far love the car. It is very comfortable in the front seats, and for the price crams alot more technology into it than any other car ive seen in its class. Very quite ride, very smooth ride, and while its not "Fun" to drive, (I do miss my truck with its RWD and tire smoking fun) its VERY plesent, very quiet, very very smooth, great on gas if you arent driving like an idiot

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  Cruze to a crash - 2012 Chevrolet Cruze
  By jwestbrooke - December 24 - 8:46 pm

  The 2011 Chevy Cruze is the absolute worst vehicle to ever come out of Detroit. The 2012 Chevy Cruze is not quite as bad. It will prove to be the most rear-ended car ever built. Whenever you are in town, the computer can take control from the driver and make hopelessly stupid mistakes. If you are doing 35 mph and back off the throttle by as much as one milimeter, the computer can take control of the vehicle and decide "Oh, he must want to stop. Here, I will help you." The computer radically downshifts the transmission, shuts down the fuel injectors, alters the ignition timing, and will slow the vehicle to 20 mph within 2 seconds. The computer has taken control. You are helpless.