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 Car - 2011 Chevrolet Cruze
  By shouze - June 20 - 10:00 am

  I was looking for a car that got 30 mpg or more...after a long search of used vehicles,none that were cheap, I decided on the Cruze. The LS is affordable and has a great comfortable ride, along with an interior that is awesome. this is a fun car to drive. once you drive it you will be hooked!

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  Overall Excellent car - 2011 Chevrolet Cruze
  By cruzinca - June 17 - 11:41 pm

  I have had this for 3 weeks now and have been dong siginificant driving. I do a long commute and have logged about 1200 miles already. The car feels solid and quiet. handling feel very precise with minimal body roll, even at higher speeds. I am now averaging about 32.8 mpg (about 0.4 more than the computer is indicating). My last car was an 04 Maxima and I noticed lower gas mileage during the break in period so not totally unexpected. Mine is the LS model although it did come with an Auto transmission and bluetooth. Bluetooth works great and integrates nicely with the audio system. Really love this car and is still more than I expected.

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  Contemporary and Efficient - 2011 Chevrolet Cruze
  By cruzer4 - June 11 - 1:40 pm

  Ice Blue LTZ looks better in person than in photos. Beautifully styled. Outstanding seat travel and adjustability for a tall driver. Getting 30 to 35 mpg so far. Impressive lack of shift busyness on hilly interstates. Tap Up/Down shifter is very useful. Coastdown shifts very poor. Good DIC and Bluetooth integration. Big trunk. Very nice steering feel with Michelin Pilot tires. Smooth ride if tires are at 30 psi recommended cold pressure.

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  Green Machine - 2014 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Migdalia Archilla - May 27 - 11:01 pm

  Great cabin comfort for driver especially seat. Difficult but not terrible for disabled elders to get in and out of from back. Liked Cruze enough to lease same car, differnt colors 3 times. Sluggish on hills and when merging onto a hilly highway despite turbo engine. Overall, enjoyed driving it,.

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  Too few mpg and too much sunshine I shout - 2014 Chevrolet Cruze
  By James - May 21 - 2:15 pm

  Chevy electronics. Easy to pair phone to car. Infuriating trip computer that has never been close on mpg, distance to empty, gallons used. On star is good but I feel too expensive so I dropped it. Interior nice but leather seats are FIRM. Average around 32 mpg day to day use, have never come near 38 mpg rating. At 42000 miles transmission is getting dimwitted on shifts ( just want a slight speed increase, push on throttle, nothing, push, nothing, push then its a 2 gear kickdown). Dealer says car showing no codes when I had checked. Rear seat room is good for small kids or SMALL adults. Real nightmare is sunroof failed in tilt open position. Will update when I find out what is wrong and how much financial pain it will cost. I dont think I will consider another GM vehicle if this sunroof problem turns into a financial black hole. Plus side tire wear is great, still have near 50% of original tread, premium Pioneer sound system is great. Update..cost 116.00 but dealer found crud jamming sunroof motor and cleaned it out. No longer park near trees with roof tilt open. This is NOT a performance car. RS package is dress up and nothing more. Trade value plummeted with new style release.

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  Diesel issues not covered under warranty - 2014 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Joe - May 14 - 1:52 pm

  Ive had my Diesel 14 Cruze for about 10K miles. It has never come up with any messages about regen. Suddenly the turbo stopped working and a message came on that said reduced power. Its still under the bumper to bumper warranty. I took it into a dealer and they said the particulate filter is clogged and it needed to go into regen. They are telling me they couldt find anything wrong so, they are charging me $320 to put it through regen. If there wasnt a problem, why didnt it go through regen? Whats the point of a factory warranty? I averaged 40 mpg. Based on diesel fuel being 10-20% more than gas, a gas car is almost the same efficiency, with a less complicated engine. Should have bought a Civic. Better resale, similar cost to drive, and probably wouldnt have been in the shop under warranty costing me $320.

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  Chevy Cruze 1LT - 2011 Chevrolet Cruze
  By jpp_computers - May 5 - 6:31 pm

  This is an amazing car. I have only had the car for a day, but I wanted to put a review up. Off the gate this thing picks up speed quick with its turbo 1.4L engine. The handling is superb. recently test drove ford focus sel, kia forte ex, Ford Fiesta, and Honda Fit. Shopping for 3 weeks and 5 applications for loans I was approved for all of them. I am 23, low 600 credit score, with high 600 co signer whos my girlfriend. Chevy got it done with payments just over 330 for 72/mo. The 1LT do come nicely loaded. I will update this review when I have more valid points, but go test drive one of these cars you will be surprised how nice a ride it is.

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  Cruze is nice, but not great - 2011 Chevrolet Cruze
  By chevy68 - March 31 - 6:33 am

  Huge step up from the Cobalt in styling, ride and handling, interior, and features. However, I am only achieving 28 to 29 mpg on 98% highway driving with the 1.8L engine with 6-speed automatic transmission. The EPA highway rating is 35 mpg. I always achieve highway EPA mpg ratings on my cars with my driving style. I took the Cruze back to the dealership to check out and I got 32.9 mpg on the loaner Malibu! They found no issues but I am very disappointed in the poor fuel economy.

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  Best Compact Car Ever - 2011 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Pittsburgh Guy - March 27 - 10:00 am

  First I must state that we did not buy the car, my dad is a GM tech and we were able to ride in the car on the quality assurance test. When I first saw the metallic red, I thought it was a small BMW! Same thing when I sat inside! It also had the best sounding stereo I have ever heard! It also had a large trunk, a roomy backseat (if you moved the seats forward a bit) and it had all auto down windows!

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  Auto start/stop and no auto climate control - 2017 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Christopher Kelly - March 3 - 6:07 pm

  The car has the auto start/stop when you stop the car its annoying turns the a/c or heat off at lights and theres no way to turn the system off. To get auto climate control in the car you need the top trim level which comes with leather and sunroof and larger wheels all which are unneeded things. Cars that cost half as much brand new come with auto climate control.