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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  Impressed at First. - 2014 Chevrolet Cruze
  By BLH - September 8 - 4:42 pm

  Did a lot of research on the 2014 turbo diesel. Purchased the car in May. With less than 4000 miles on it, the check engine light comes on. To the dealer we go and 6 hrs later, they cant figure out the problem. The mechanics couldnt figure out the error code. Supposedly they had to call tech support and reset the electronics on the car. Now, the gas info doesnt read correctly. And its still not fixed. A full tank read out tells me I can get 400 miles to a tank of diesel. I have managed to get over 50 miles to a gallon and its a 15.6 gallon tank. The seats are low to the floor. The driver seat is power and will rise up but no lumbar support. Long drives get uncomfortable. We bought this vehicle because of the MPG and we travel often. The trunk space is so-so. It will hold 2 large suitcases and some smaller bags. The interior could be better. The sunvisors do not go far enough over to the middle to block out the sun. It does have rattles that you can hear and cant find. The stereo system sucks. It has a very "tinny" sound. I have tried adjusting it manually and per music style and it still sounds bad. The back up camera is handy. It beeps while backing up and if anything is coming from either side of the vehicle. The outside mirrors have a car icon that flashes to let you know there is a vehicle in your blind spot. It does have road noise and the car sits low to the ground. Hitting bumps and dodging potholes can be rough.

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  Not worth buying - 2011 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Julia - September 8 - 12:20 pm

  This car is a piece of junk! Definitely not worth the money! We have had our Cruze in the shop numerous times with coolant system problems!!! Really Chevy!! How many bad reviews from unhappy customers are you going to get on this car? This is ridiculous!! We certainly wont be buying another Chevy!!

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  Do not buy a diesel Cruze! - 2014 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Rob - September 4 - 1:00 pm

  Do not buy a diesel Cruze! We purchased our 2014 diesel Cruze a few months ago. It was a new car left over from last year and we got a great deal on it. It was an ok car and then we began having problems. The check engine light has come on 3 times now due to issues with the diesel particulate filter. The most recent issue began a few days ago and we brought our Cruze into the dealer. They ran all the tests and pulled the code. We have been told that they need to keep the car for weeks and a new part has to be custom made by Chevy because the emissions sensors are faulty. No one knows when the part will be ready. This is an absolute joke. GM Global Support is useless and the person who is "assigned" to our case wont speak to us. Weve paid for a car that we cannot use. No one can give us any answers. Seriously do yourself a favor and stay far away from the diesel version of the Chevy Cruze. We have heard from both the dealerships weve brought the car into that there are many known issues with the Cruze diesels and a recall is probably in the very near future.

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  White lighting - 2014 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Josh - September 3 - 11:20 am

  I purchased new a lt1 with the technology, convience package,and sunroof. I was originally looking at the eco model but couldnt get a sunroof and was 1500 more. Its ben a while sense I have a manual transmission. So much fun and able to get better mpg than what the window sticker says. The key is to shift around 2000 rpm and drive the speed limit. Three carseats will fit in the back seat. The changes I would like would be available sunroof on the eco. A place for my cell phone in the center console and more leg room for my right leg so not resting so much on the center console. All in all verry pleased with this car. I am hoping it will last as long as my 1997 oldsmobile did.

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  Oh what high hopes I had for a GM vehicle - 2012 Chevrolet Cruze
  By John S - September 1 - 5:50 am

  So this is my first delve into buying a GM vehicle for about 15 years. But it probably will be the last one I will ever buy. My wife and I thought we were buying a good used 2011 Cruze LTZ. Only had 29,000 on it and looked great! Oh but how looks can fool you, turbo went out a month into ownership, how does a turbo fail with 29,000 miles? OK well then we think OK fluke right. No, then a few thousand miles later water pump leaking. OK, well maybe another fluke. No, water pump replaced 15,000 miles ago?? What? A water pump that lasts 15,000 miles? So these two engine parts should last well beyond what they have and obviously being on third water pump in 34,000 miles does not seem to indicate GM has done anything to actually fix this problem. Guess every third oil change I need to replace water pump? The car drives fine, but the 18" low profile tires are expensive to replace, why you would put 168 MPH rated tires on a econobox car Ill never figure out? Then you have the questionable turbo issues, oil sludge potential, I have seen these engines with less then 50,000 miles have total engine failure due to oil lubrication issues. Now you have the reduced value of the car because these issues are getting worse. I would not recommend this car to anyone at this point from my 4 months of ownership. If you do have one, make sure to change the oil, use synthetic if you want the engine to last to 100,000 miles, watch coolant levels, burn better gas for improved MPG and dont expect GM to do anything about these issues.

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  Drives smooth as a new car should....but - 2013 Chevrolet Cruze
  By MIchelle - August 31 - 4:02 pm

  OK the car in my opinion is over priced and these are the reasons why. 1. the dashboard, well I dont even know what that is other than plastic. This makes it very easy to wipe down. I mean a damp cloth with a little light weight cleaner (I use organic cleaners) and wham it looks new again. Problem I cant see that dashboard lasting and would be really surprised if it did. I keep my windows and the car covered to protect it so maybe this will help. 2. I have had to have rusting bolts replaced (MY car is 2 years old, 2013. With 28K miles on it. I bought it with 68 miles). In addition, the paint job wasnt all that great and after getting home with my car I noticed foggy areas on the paint. They fixed that for me right away but still I was left without my car for 3 days. 3. The paint is some type of silicon? Therefore press your nail in it and it leaves the impression. That is so not cool. Think about it. 4. The seats could use much improvement. I bought pads for them because they are sunken and not padded well as on many imports. My car was 18 years old so it took me a few weeks to notice this. I wish I had noticed before that. lol 5. The molding around my car which is the only metal I think it has after 2 years was discolouring and spotting. It got blamed on the rain. Really? Serioulsy? You think the rain did that but didnt touch the paint? I dont think so. Either way it had to be replaced. It really looked like a car that was 20 years old and Id had it for 2 years! Not cool. Not cool at all. Really bent me. 6. The seat covers, cloth on the seats, they do not hold up well. They do not clean well. Get covers if you buy this car. I already had to have one of the seats replaced. This was done a little over 1 year of owning the car. At that time there was another lady having the same thing done and she had had her car about the same length of time. 7. Due to the material they used for the interior it will show every mark. I mean if you vacuum and the vacuum drags across the "plastic" around the door near the dashboard or even where the gears for park etc are. It will leave a scratch. I also had that area replaced due to the scratching much to my vain due to they scratched [non-permissible content removed] out of it while replacing it and the old piece had less markings. :() 8. Lastly the key has buttons for opening the door and starting the car. Somehow for me it is super easy to hit and not notice I opened the trunk. Now please understand Im good to my cars. They laugh at me at the dealership and tell me my car is spotless. I laugh because Im bringing it in for a detail when they tell me this. My Toyota was a 93 and I bought it with 2000 miles. Not one spot on my car. No one believed me when I told them it was 20 years old. They thought it was a 2003 or so. :) I take very good care of my belongings inside and out. The bumpers were still jet black! No cracks, no marks on the inside! No tears in the seats nothing. What I do like about the car. 1. It is new and drives very smooth. The turbo has great pickup. Though a slight delay which is common in a turbo it can move when needed. 2. On a scale 1 to 10 the interior sound is about at an 8. With the radio on a 9. I dont listen to my music loud so its not a drowning out reason. 3. Love the layout of the buttons and accessories. Love how you can see the air pressure in the tires etc. Love all of that stuff. Love the extra pocket on the passenger side and both of the doors big pockets for stuff. The extra storage on the dashboard and I love the adjustable seat belts. 4. My car came tinted and due to the tint, within legal tinting, and the slant of the front windshield I no longer need sunglasses. Living in FL and in 2 years not one time did I need them. So much better for your eyes. Love it! 5. The trunk is big! Much bigger and much more room than I initially thought. I can really pack it! And the seats lay down. 6. I can actually start my car from inside. That is just so amazing and awesome to me. 7. Its a new car so it is to be excepted but it drives really smooth and handles the road well. No issues with sudden idiot drivers next to me or in the rain. 8. The radio and all works great but Im not into the On star at 226 a year. Sorry but that is a bit pricey and then you have to pay for the satellite radio. Maybe if it were all in one at 200 but never the less I had a taste of onstar and well emergency services left me laughing [non-permissible content removed] it was so embarrassing to use them. They simply tell the operator at 911 what you are saying. I mean really? And then when I said the car in front of me is on fire they said..."Is there smoke?" I nearly died. Thank God animal control came by and had a fire extinguisher on hand. No kidding. 9. They have many usb ports in which I have never used a one. Overall I really like the car. Really I do. I get very good gas mileage and I enjoy driving it. If it werent for GMs cheap parts...

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  Tire pressure sensor meltdown - 2015 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Daniel Jensen - August 25 - 11:07 pm

  After only 80 miles in my brand new 2015 cruze 3 of my tire pressure sensors already malfunctioned:/.. The door handles are so cheap and feel like they will fall/rip off at any time. The center consul is not connected to the floor. Blue tooth does not connect to phone for music.

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  Not for long term use. - 2011 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Erica. - August 25 - 10:20 pm

  I bought my 2011 Cruze LT in early 2012 with about 18,xxx miles. I was so excited and it was my first car purchase on my own. I was in nursing school and commuting an hour each way to clinical sites and needed something that would sip gas. That it DID. I averaged 36 MPG at its newer years and LOVED that aspect. It was a great commuter car for that as it has large windows and I felt as though I sat up decently high to get a get view for merging and being in and out of traffic. Never a blind spot. It parks easily and turns on a dime to squeeze into tight spaces. Everything is very in-sync with those aspects. When it comes to overall car quality... Less can be praised. Within 8 months of purchase I replaced my FIRST water pump. Within 64 days I was replacing my second, blaming the failure on the initial repair. All the while I was borrowing cars and hitching rides because Chevy has altogether quit handing out loaners even when the repairs are obviously their fault (they probably cant keep up with loaner demand anymore). Again within 6 months the car is overheating again and another water pump. It is now 2015 and I just replaced my EIGHTH water pump. CHEVY YOU HAVE LOST ME FOREVER. It has had a new water pump every 10,000 miles. I can name about 10,000 things that lasted longer than 10,000 miles and my Chevy Cruze is not one of them. Im sure wagon wheels lasted longer than that and yet Chevy cant figure out water pumps... If I ever come into money Im going to videotape myself shoving this car off of a cliff somewhere very beautiful and send the video into Chevy for their next advertisement. Because no, youre not going to want to drive your Cruze around a pretty city night scene, youre going to be doing what I want to do. So lets get real and advertise it as such. "This is you in 4 years happily pushing your well maintained and STILL FINANCED vehicle off of a cliff out of anger because we are too cheap to put in parts that will last!" This is like one of those $5 Amazon purchases you make from China where you think to yourself. "This might electrocute me but lets try it!" But waaaaaay more expensive and waaaaay more aggravating. My eighth water pump issue brought me to having to wake up 2 hours early on a Monday, which already sucks, to take my car in and to be dropped off at work like some hobo. Thanks Chevy. Im now onto my second car purchase and staying far far away from Chevy lots.

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  Chevys best kept secret - 2015 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Theodore_E - August 24 - 10:20 pm

  The only thing you should know about this car is that its amazing! The price of the my 2015 was unbelievably cheap?! You know why? because its a 6 speed manual transmission. Everyone wants an automatic which what car reviewers complain about. They say its to laggy or non responsive. Not mine! The manual transmission is the best way to drive this vehicle. Offering low end torque for the inner city stop and go. Again just perfect for what I need to be. The 1.4L turbo charged engine is superb for suburban dwelling. It provides a very torquey feeling when applying more gas. My favorite thing about this car is the gas mileage! Try 26 city and 38 highway. A hybrid or electric car absolutely cannot beat the price of this four door gas saver. The interior is played up and has a very classy feel. The dash contains loads of info like average mpg, mph, distance till empty, and total miles. All in a tap of a button. The buttons for CD, music and radio can seem intimidating and cluttered at first. When you just read the controls you find out theres a button for everything instead of cycling through settings or menus. Easy enough. I have the LT trim and I still feel like a sub par luxury car. My only gripe about this car is the Bluetooth setting. You cannot synch your phone to the car to play music. Only phone calls. To play any kind of music you can use the CD player or an auxiliary cord! Cmon Chevy. Get with the times. No one uses cords anymore. This is the only feature that makes the car feel outdated. Also there is a plug in for electronics that enables you to charge your device(s) conveniently located behind the shift knob next to the emergency brake. Lastly there is one USB connection along with..... An auxiliary port in the center console. One thing to note is the driver leg room and entry. Im 70" tall and when I try to get in, Ive smacked my shin on the edge panel below the steering wheel. OUCH. The leg room leaves much to be desired. On longer straights or highway, I like to put it cruise control and lift my foot/leg off the pedal causing my knee to rest against the temperature knob setting. A little bit uncomfortable but not much to deter me from this car. Some of the highlights of this car is trunk room. By gosh its huge. Best in class for a SEDAN. A hatchback will be better obviously. Aside from the 5 star safety ratings and ten airbags, this car is pretty safe. A telescoping steering wheel is standard which I enjoy. I know its a bit scattered but this car is just overall really good. If your looking for a sedan that gets great gas mileage for under 20k then this car is for you. It has many trims to choose from to suit your needs. Chevy has done an excellent job and keeping up with its Japanese competitors. This just might be the next best thing for Chevy cars.

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  2011 chevrolet cruze - 2011 Chevrolet Cruze
  By KW - August 21 - 9:44 am

  Every two to three months engine light comes on. Thank goodness we got the extended warranty! Car is comfortable to drive but poorly made! Replaced water pump etc seems to be the norm. After 3 previous visits engine light is on again! Problem seems to lie in the heating/cooling system ( with my car). High humidity last few days, used air conditioner and bam!! engine light on. Over the winter, use the heat too often (daily) and engine light comes on, sounds like a pickup truck sitting in your lap. Car is not worth the money or the frustration. Do not buy!!!