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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  1 year review, love our Cruze - 2011 Chevrolet Cruze
  By ricksreview - November 1 - 10:50 am

  Have over 25,000k already. The Cruze has been very dependable. It continues to feel solid and well built. We are getting average of 38mpg with a loaded model with automatic transmission. Bought as a commuter car and we could not be more pleased with it!

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  Who wants a Prius! - 2012 Chevrolet Cruze
  By gandolf256 - October 27 - 11:07 am

  Cruze ECO is rated at 36 highway and 28 city by Consumer Reports and the like. This has not been my experience. I have been careful about my driving habits, and have been averaging 38+ mpg in combined highway, suburban and city driving in Philadelphia. On the more or less open roads of eastern PA I am averaging 45+ mpg! It handles well, corners tight, has plenty of power, particularly in 3rd gear and with a few additions the ECO trim level has most everything I would want. All except for the moon roof I love, but didnt get, darn! But hey, I paid less than 17k for this car! Why on earth would I want to spend the money on a Prius? Or a Volt? Or for that matter, any other car? GM has a WINNER

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  ***BUYER BEWARE***POOR RELIABILITY WITH THE LOWEST-SCORE AVAILABLE, ACCORDING TO CONSUMER REPORTS... - 2011 Chevrolet Cruze
  By waltchan - October 26 - 6:41 pm

  I hate this car now. I have been scammed and tricked from General Motors with all these flashy advertisements claiming better quality and reliability. Yeah, right... The Chevrolet Cruze scored the LOWEST in reliability of any small sedans, and its rated at the very-bottom of the chart, with a poor (black dot) reliability score, according to Consumer Reports. How can this be quality??? The new, over-hyped 2011 Chevrolet Cruze is NOT any better than the 1980 Chevrolet Citation we had before with the same, poor reliability score as well. I now will learn to never buy any American-name car without waiting for Consumer Reports advice. GM should refund my money for false claims on reliability.

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  Misled by GM - 2012 Chevrolet Cruze
  By musiclover1212 - October 13 - 4:50 pm

  I was very excited about my cruze when I first got it, I was deciding between the Altima, Elantra and the Cruze and decided on the Cruze because of the entertainment package and fuel economy. I am meticulous on tracking my mileage and checking it against the computer, and found over a 10 percent difference, for example my last fill up the pump said 12.8 Gallons and my computer said i only used 11.4 Gallons. So when my computer says I averaged 27 MPG, I actually got closer to 24. I also have had a frustrating experience with my Zune not playing when I want it to, and coming on unexpectedly while I am listening to a cd or the radio. I wish I would have gotten the Altima, or Elantra

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  Best Chevy I have drove yet! - 2012 Chevrolet Cruze
  By usspecialist - October 9 - 3:31 pm

  The window tag stated 38 mpg, I have been geting around 42. What a money saver! Also, the design and comfort are amazing. The seats hug you my wife says.

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  Cruze Eco is a Great Buy for College Grad - 2012 Chevrolet Cruze
  By lucky_emma - September 19 - 8:22 am

  I bought my Chevy Cruze Ego after graduating college. I did my research and when between the Hyundai Elantra and the Cruze, I think I made the right choice. The size of the car is perfect, I got the MPG I wanted (averaging 36.8 right now), all without sacrificing my jackrabbit starts off the line. I have always driven a manual transmission and didnt want to sacrifice that - so I didnt. Its not flawless, but not bad and works great with turbo. For the price I paid, I couldnt ask for more. Also, it should be said that the status updates (tire pressure, remaining oil life) make managing the vehicle a breeze. No excuse for not meeting your cars needs.

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  An American car maker got it right - 2012 Chevrolet Cruze
  By nyken - September 14 - 4:01 pm

  I was a little hesitant to buy an American car, but the Chevy Cruze proved to be an excellent choice. The build quality is excellent . I have 2,000 miles on the car and have had no problems at all. This is a peppy, very fun to drive car. It is also very comfortable and very quiet. I was amazed that on a recent trip, I averaged 43 MPG on the highway. This is way above the 38 MPG highway rating. To be sure, I checked the trip computer calculation with my own manual calculation and it was accurate. Around town with a mix of about 60% city and 40% highway driving, the MPG is in the mid 30s. This is almost the MPG that you would expect from a hybrid. I would highy recommend this car.

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  Great car with great features - 2012 Chevrolet Cruze
  By jseejr - September 11 - 1:36 pm

  I was never a fan of Chevy products except their trucks until now. I looked at a Chevy Cruze and really fell in love. So many great options and fully loaded for under 23K. This car easily averages over 30mpg with a mix of city and highway driving. Can be as high as 44 mpg with a lot of highway driving, even at 75mph. Chevy really did great with this car and hope they keep it up for the future!

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  supersport2 - 2012 Chevrolet Cruze
  By supersport2 - September 9 - 12:17 am

  Bought this on 8-28-11 Took a day trip for a wedding 254 miles round trip. Got 43 mpg. have been averaging 36 plus and it is getting better. Last week I got 40.1 mpg. Did more in town driving this week, looking forward to see what it ends up. Car is fun to drive handles great. Only thing it is an ECO with an automatic. My car computer did say that I had used 11.8 gallons and that my mpg. was 43.5. It took 13.8 gallons to fill up and my gas guage was a little above empty, and when I figured my mileage it figured only 36.6 mpg. Computer is way off. Have not been back to the dealer yet. I hope they can re-calibrate it.

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  ECO M/T STAY AWAY! ---- Bad GM cust. service! - 2011 Chevrolet Cruze
  By cruzect11 - September 6 - 9:47 pm

  I got my 2011 cruze eco just over 2 months ago after having a cruze lt auto as a rental which was great! But now with my eco since day one if you have the ac on and you put it in first gear and give it some gas the car shuts off yes totally dies! Been almost hit tons of times pulling out places and sitting in traffic. The car sat at the dealer for over a month after they so called cant find anything wrong with it i get it back and it dies that day. Long story short this isnt the only cruze eco with the problem and chevy will not stand behind their product! The car is nice and rides good but thats when it runs. Stay far away from the eco! Anyone looking at any GM product cust service is BAD!