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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  Amazed! - 2011 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Nick1212 - September 26 - 10:00 am

  Finally an Compact American Car that can compete with foreign mpg and quality. This car is amazing in every aspect. It feels like Im driving in a $65,000 luxury car when in actuality it only cost $21,000. I love this car and am very very happy with it. also, it gets 27 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway.

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  My Take after 2,000 miles - 2011 Chevrolet Cruze
  By madisong - September 19 - 5:26 am

  I took delivery of my red Cruze LTZ in the brutality of our Minnesota Winter (12/15/11 - and Im very pleased to say this car is performing flawlessly. The torque in the 20 - 50 MPH range is surprisingly strong for the 1.4 liter Turbo. The 6 speed auto tranny probably has something to do with that as well. The remote start is a big plus, especially now to warm it up and also probably later in the summer to cool it down. The only disappointment is the tighter than desirable suspension system. Could be the winter but Im guessing the low profile tires on the larger wheels could be the reason.

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  2016 chevy cruze - 2016 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Wilver mundo - September 11 - 8:42 pm

  I just bought 2016 chevy cruze I am only getting only 24 mpg this car sucks I am sorry I got this car please dont waste your money in 2016 cruze

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  Very nice vehicle - 2011 Chevrolet Cruze
  By BaM - August 8 - 2:00 am

  Have about 2000 miles on it between NY and Maryland. So far it has been a pleasure to drive. Handles the bumps and ruts of NY roads well. Its nice running up and down the Garden State Parkway and NJ Turnpike. Quiet, comfortable and solid. Have lived in Asia, Middle East and Europe and this car compares very well with what people regularly drive anywhere in the world. Very nicely executed and overall better equipped and more solid then found outside NA.

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  Still on the post - 2014 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Cathy W - July 31 - 7:21 pm

  Purchased this car for the hubby to drive and from work. 110 miles roundtrip everyday. He decided he would continue to drive his truck (I drove it for 2 years to my job round trip ,12 miles) because gas is down. So I got the car against my wishes. This car is not comfortable at all to me. To many buttons to figure it out. Be prepared to read the manual if urnot techno savy... Which I am not!! I feel like I am in a fishbowl or all to see.Keep in mind I did not get in or test drive the car. Hubby did only. But I drive oit.go figure. I am a plus size babe, n this car is tight. Good thing I am not plus plus or it would be like a can of canned fish stuffed in. Had the car for a month now and it s slowly expanding with me. Tinted ALL the widows made a world of difference .so, that said, I would give this car 4 star rating. VERY compact not to roomy, back seat to tight, Windows look c!assy though n I give them a10+++++. Handle s curves like a charm n fast little booger to 0 to 60 in 45 sec and its a 4 Cylinder. Go figure its a classy one to.

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  Diesel Exhaust DPF issues - 2014 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Jon W - July 24 - 10:49 pm

  This 14 Cruze Diesel was purchased new in Feb. 2014, all highway miles, today it has 81,000 miles on it and has had the exhaust reburned 7 xs, manually by the garage, not once did the car display any reburn in process or do not stop until the reburn is completed, no messages (the reburn should be automatic). The dealer could not find anything wrong. it was covered under warranty on two of the reburns, the rest came out my pocket at $140.00 each, It has been to 3 different garages and each mechanic believes the car has never done a reburn on its own. The engineers have some work to do with respect to the exhaust DPF . As for gas mileage, ave. 43 GPM tank to tank, fuel filters cost $120.00 each, 2 installed so far, oil filters are $25.00, and oil is 8.00 quart, (low ash formula) all this plus labor, this is not the car to have if you do short runs of only drive 20 miles to work. it will not get hot enough to get good mileage. This extras cost makes the gas version a better choice.

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  Phils Cruze - 2013 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Virgil Phildius - June 6 - 9:43 am

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  Fantastic car for the money! - 2011 Chevrolet Cruze
  By lexan1965 - May 15 - 10:00 am

  The wife and I went into the local Chevy dealership to test drive a new cruze. We ended up buying the one we test drove. This car is quiet, little road noise, little engine noise. The acoustic package (standard) on the cruze if fantastic, makes your drive very quiet. The turbo lag people have talked about in other reviews is only noticeable when or if you have to stomp the gas pedal down then hold on! "peppy" engine on this car. Im 6-4" and 255 lbs. and I have no issues fitting in this vehicle. Same interior dimensions as the Malibu except 2" less legroom in the rear seats. I would recommend to anyone considering a new, smaller car to give this car a test drive.

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  Awesome - 2017 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Juveee - May 4 - 1:09 pm

  Amazing car I really enjoyed driving it

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  At first I loved it, until the problems started - 2014 Chevrolet Cruze
  By PamR - April 22 - 1:27 am

  I got this car brand new in January 2014 and I still have it now but am getting rid of it. It only has 24,000 miles on it and its January of 2018. I loved this car in the beginning it was zippy and fun to drive. First my car warned me about having a cracked axle. Took it to dealer and they fixed the recall. The batter was very weak and car had no power so I checked the battery and it was way too small for car. One day on a rainy day my window wouldnt roll up, but they fixed it. Then my car was burning gas at about 4 times the normal rate. I mean really fast then while driving my car completely stopped cars were coming at me and I was scared not knowing what was going on. It was weird it had gas, it didnt start, the battery was fine, seemed like nothing, had it towed home, then to Chevy the next day and they said "contaminated gas" well according to my fuel burning and I park in the garage it was not contaminated it was a faulty fuel pump. They replaced it but was going to charge me over 1000.00 since I was 2 weeks past my 3 year warranty. Made some calls and luckily they did it for free. One day I noticed I had a huge bubble on the side wall of my tire so I took the car in to get a new tire and he told me the 2 front tires look super old and had been sitting in the sun for a very long time. He showed me the whole side wall was cracked all the way around the outside of the tire and said he was surprised they lasted this long. So I replaced them the back two were good. Then I got a letter saying the steering might lock up while driving and I will lose control, thank God it didnt happen. All in all I loved this car but all these breakdowns make me feel very unsafe in it. Its too much hassle a new car should come new and working. I wont buy this again