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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  Love My Baby - 2011 Chevrolet Cruze
  By ajia1999 - August 19 - 10:00 am

  I just love this car. My friends are all envious, suspension and noise control in the cabin make you feel like you are in a luxury car. The exterior design is sleek and catches peoples eye. I caught a guy checking out my black LT2 cruze with envy.

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  Well done Chevrolet - 2011 Chevrolet Cruze
  By jdizzle - April 14 - 10:00 am

  This is a sharp car. It definitely has a luxury car feel to it without the price tag. I had a 2006 Acura TSX that was fully loaded, and I must say, I am quite pleased at how well the Cruze compares. The interior is very nice and does not have that cheap plastic feel to it. There is plenty of leg room in the front which is important to me as I am 64". I dont have to move the seat all the way back which is very unusual for any car, much less a compact. It is very sleek and extremely quiet at highway speeds. This is the first American car I have bought in 15 years. I definitely recommend this car. I feel like for the price, it is hard to go wrong for all that you get.

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  Very nice compact car but - 2017 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Merona - March 30 - 5:06 pm

  At first I thought something was wrong and almost gone back to get another car. The engine stops at the red light is annoying...I would not buy it or recommend this car to anyone without test driving it for a period of days. You probably would not like the way the car constantly jerking during starting. Same thing with the 2017 Ford Escape. I rented for a week during California visit. It has the same stop start and the jerking is worst than the Chevy Cruze. Before you buy these vehicles, test drive them at least few days. Besides that annoying stop and start, they are actually very nice and quiet vehicles.

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  I recommend Cruze - 2011 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Chris Wilson - March 16 - 9:01 pm

  This car performs well in reliability, good ride, low cost, safety and efficiency.

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  Exactly what I want, Cruze RS - 2012 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Eugene Dougherty - February 5 - 12:16 am

  2012 Cruze RS - excellent solid handing, fast enough, perfect steering, great fuel economy, and great Pioneer stereo. Its an amazing car. It gives you a perfect execution to the 90% point, which is to say that is drives well, accelerates well, is comfortable and secure but when you start to push the limits, then it lets you know its essentially an economy car. If that sounds like a criticism, its not. The car is giving you more than you are paying for - handles securely like a BMW325 until you really push it (then it just slides). It accelerates very nicely until you try to win a stoplight acceleration (a fiasco of revs, turbo lag, and shifts - just dont ever do that). Its handles very well in the snow (somehow pulls that off). Im quite thrilled and look forward to my time in it. Previously owned Subaru, GTO, Eagle Talon, variety of other cars.

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  Wish I didnt have to give this car even 1 star - 2011 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Hugh Jazz - January 30 - 3:52 am

  From the looks of the car, interior and exterior and all the hot specs it included when I bought it back in 2012, fairly new with 13k miles on it. Just graduated high school. Seemed like a good buy for me and a car that would last me at least a decade. Didnt take long for that old man at the dealership to get me home in this car. But oh boy, if I had only known then, how much of a headache this car was gonna be.. After a month with the car in my hands, it went in for its first recall, where they sawed off the "engine shield" below the engine due to reports of the car catching fire from leaking oil down there. Awesome!! Not to mention those recalls on the car prior to the purchase of the car that the salesman failed to mention. From there it was nothing but downhill. This car has been in the shop on average probably a week of every month since Ive owned it. If not, close to it. Ive lost track of the amount times its needed service. Currently with 101k miles, The biggest issue me and my mechanic have had with this car is the cooling system. We cant seem to get a hold of the issue. Numerous hoses and lines have been replaced. It seems as though we fix one hose, and another goes. Including the the thermostat twice. Weve recently replaced the coolant bucket/bottle and hose leading out of it. Now were repairing the hose and lines going into the turbo. Which were thinking the turbo is next on the long list of past/present/future parts to be replaced, along with some relevant parts behind there at the same time to hopefully span out my visits to him. Some other things Ive fixed on this car include a coil Pack(@60k) because a spark plug exploded and caused damage to its housing that it needed to be replaced. Ive replaced the spark plugs a second time since then. Throttle body was replaced along with MAF sensor. Trans oil lines replaced. AT LEAST a handful of other issues have as well been addressed. Current unresolved problems include...... the drivers side heated seat which went a long time ago and the dealership said Id have to buy a whole new seat to fix that, fuhgettaboutit. The trunk latch died a long time ago too, oh well. Middle arm rest and compartment door/cover isnt so durable either.(doesnt stay shut, velcro does wonders). Also seems to be leaking oil from the valve cover and rear main seal. Im sure Ill get around to that someday. Orrr, just let it leak oil and coolant til the car finally gives in aND sets itself on fire and burns up. Really looking forward to that day. Can you blame me? Until then, Ill just keep dreaming about driving it thru the front doors of GeneralMotors with joy. I received a settlement from GM for this car that only paid to get it back from the bank when they repoed it 2 days before the check came in the mail. I was four months behind on payments because that money was paying to keep the car on the road. Shame on who? Clearly this car was the biggest mistake of my life thus far. Financially at least. If you own or owned [non-permissible content removed] car, God bless you.

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  A4 Quattro to Cruze 1LT - 2011 Chevrolet Cruze
  By WNBear - January 11 - 2:00 am

  I was looking to trade in my 2006 Audi A4 1.8T 6sp/MT Quattro on something that was economical, fun to drive, sharp looking and comfy. The Audi was getting to be a repair nightmare! The Cruze hits all of those points spot on! While its not an AWD, with the Stabili-Trac and Traction Control, I think Ill be ok in the snow here in Denver. This car gets looks everywhere I go, maybe because its one of only five that have been sold in Denver so far? Silver with Jet Black leather. Im even shocked that I dont miss the 6 speed manual tranny! And I have cup holders, 8 of them! The A4 had a total of ZERO! lol

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  Love my Cruze! - 2013 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Latrisha Miller - January 10 - 9:17 pm

  I absolutely love my Cruze. It handled beyond my expectations this past winter.

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  A full step backwards from last generation - 2017 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Hunter12 - January 10 - 4:06 pm

  I was given a 17 Cruze LT to use for 5 days while my car was in for service and I was less than impressed. My mom had a 13 Cruze LS that I drove a few thousand miles when she was leasing it, it was in many ways a far better small car. The new Cruze uses a start/stop mode to save fuel, it was terrible. The engine "shudders" when it stops and starts. Very poor execution of this "feature". The transmission also always feels like its trying to find a gear for max fuel economy and when you need to accelerate the car feels "lazy". The seats were also poor, very flat versus the last gen which were not too bad. Overall it seems obvious the entire car was developed on a tight budget and it really felt and looked "cheaper" that the last Cruze. Weak effort GM.

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  Best higher mileage car I have ever owned. - 2012 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Austin - October 27 - 4:31 am

  My Cruze 1LT has 92000 miles and still performs like new! A couple of months ago I was T-Boned by a F-150 on the drivers side and I walked away without a scratch. The car held up very well, I elected to have the car repaired and its back on the road like nothing happened. The only repair was a new waterpump under warranty at 90000 miles. The interior remains rattle free and quiet. The 1.4T has plenty of power and still averages 36 MPG and I dont baby it. I have gotten as much as 46 MPG on the highway. It has never let me down, even with no coolant when the waterpump failed it still got me home (I didnt realize all the coolant leaked out.) It starts the first time everytime without any drama. I was very surprised by how awesome it goes in the snow even without winter tires. Im 6 foot 2 and 270 pounds, I have plenty of room in this car. I got a 2015 Impala as a loaner when my Cruze got its waterpump replaced, the Impala was a great car but the Cruze seems more solid. Looking into a 2016 Cruze for my next vehicle.