summary
Getting mentioned in the compact car segment is no easy feat, but the chevrolet cruze is doing its best. Part of a class that contains nearly two dozen cars, including two winners of our 2018 10 Best Cars award (the Honda Civic Sport and the Volkswagen Golf), the Cruze excels at providing a comfortable ride, surprisingly large trunk and several tall cars. adjacent luxury and technological features. Despite those recommendations, the Cruze’s powertrains fall short while those of several competitors excel. The entry-level model feels underpowered and lacking in verve, while an expensive diesel offers excellent fuel economy but uninspiring acceleration, not a winning combination when gas prices are low. It’s easy to find a satisfying car in the Cruze’s diverse lineup, but true excellence must be sought elsewhere.
what’s new for 2019?
Although a more aggressive front grille and revised front and rear bumpers are the most obvious changes for 2019, the Cruze also gets updated taillights, a new interior color, new wheel designs, and new infotainment software. Selecting the RS package now includes black painted window frames, badging and wheels.
Reading: Cruze car reviews
price and which one to buy
The Cruze LT offers an attractive feature set at an even more attractive price. The standard six-speed manual transmission takes any joy out of the driving experience, so the six-speed automatic is well worth the extra money. We’d go with the extra-cost hatchback as a strategy to make this small car as practical as possible. Standard features on the Cruze LT hatchback include cruise control, aluminum wheels, and a six-speaker stereo with SiriusXM satellite radio. If you’re on the budget, consider the Convenience Package, which adds keyless entry, push button and remote start, heated front seats, and an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat.
engine, transmission and performance
Likes: Brisk acceleration with four-cylinder gas, available diesel powertrain, smooth ride. Dislikes: Terribly disappointing manual transmission, uninspired handling, noisy diesel engine at idle.
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The Cruze’s base powertrain is a 153-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed manual transmission. We usually prefer manual transmissions, but not in this case. In our experience, the manual is not pleasant, due to a too-light clutch pedal and long, imprecise throws of the shifter. However, equipped with the optional six-speed automatic transmission, the Cruze is eager to accelerate. The Cruze’s available diesel is a turbocharged four-cylinder that’s mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. This diesel engine is louder and rougher than its gasoline counterpart, but when traveling at highway speeds, it’s quiet enough to pass for a gasoline engine.
The Cruze feels substantial on the road, bigger and more stable than its dimensions suggest. Its steering is pleasantly stout, and the car stays straight down the road and responds readily to input. The Cruze’s soft suspension makes it feel limp when driven aggressively through turns, but the payoff is a smooth ride over bumps and potholes.
real world fuel economy and mpg
When fuel efficiency and not performance is the order of the day, the Cruze shines brightest. Its powertrains are among the most efficient in an already economy class, and the diesel powertrain dwarfs them all, even some hybrids. The gas-powered Cruze sedan with the six-speed automatic returned 36 mpg in our 200-mile highway fuel economy test, below its 39-mpg EPA rating. We also put a diesel-powered Cruze through the same test, and it delivered an EPA-beating 52 mpg, far surpassing the most efficient gas-powered compact sedans we’ve tested.
interior, infotainment and cargo
I like: intuitive infotainment system, roomy for passengers, easy-fold rear seat. Dislikes: Few standard features, even cruise control is optional.
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The Cruze sedan and hatchback have nearly identical headroom and legroom measurements. In the rear seat, Cruze hatchback passengers benefit from the high, flat roof, with an additional half-inch of headroom compared to sedan occupants. Depending on the trim level, the Cruze’s cabin can be chosen to a surprisingly upscale level for such a compact car, but many Cruze customers won’t take these desirable extras into account. The cloth seats found in base models are comfortable, but buyers will have to opt for the premium trim before they can get a power-adjustable driver’s seat as standard. The Premier’s optional heated steering wheel and bow-warming rear seats are a delight in this segment; The fact that cruise control isn’t standard tarnishes the shine.
Chevrolet’s MyLink infotainment system is excellent, and the Cruze gives buyers access to technology like 4G LTE connectivity. Presented on a standard 7.0-inch touch screen with a redundant row of buttons for key functions at the bottom of the screen, mylink is a simple system that most users will easily understand. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard and allow users to get directions from a smartphone, among other features.
In both the sedan and hatchback, the Cruze’s rear seats fold easily using a lever mounted on top of each outboard rear seat. Many of the cars in this segment have a two-step seat folding process that must first be initiated using levers located in the trunk or cargo area, and then requires you to walk around the car to lower the seat. Chevrolet deserves credit for implementing this obvious, operator-friendly solution. With its rear seats folded down, we managed to fit 15 carry-on bags in the hatchback model.
safety and driver assistance features
The Cruze performed well in National Highway Traffic Safety Administration crash tests, but has not been fully evaluated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Most driver assistance features are optional or not available on the Cruze at all. Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keeping Assist and Forward Collision Warning are available, but only on the top main trim level as part of the Driver Trust II Package. key security features include:
- automatic emergency braking available
- lane keeping assist available
- forward collision warning available
- limited warranty covers 3 years or 36,000 miles
- powertrain warranty covers 5 years or 60,000 miles
- complimentary maintenance is covered for the first visit
warranty and maintenance coverage
Chevrolet offers warranties that closely match those of other manufacturers in this segment. The bowtie brand provides a free maintenance service for the first year of ownership.
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