Are Chevy Cruzes Good Cars? What To Know
The compact car segment is a highly competitive market and a popular choice for many commuters. First, compact cars are generally more affordable than larger vehicles in terms of the initial purchase price and ongoing costs such as fuel, maintenance, and insurance. Plus, the smaller size of compact cars makes them ideal for city driving, where parking spaces are limited and streets are often narrow.
With that said, the Chevy Cruze is one of the most popular compact cars that will undoubtedly end up on the shortlists of many compact car buyers.
The Chevrolet Cruze was the go-to subcompact car by the company, which sold relatively well. Known for its handsome styling, spacious interior, and excellent value proposition, consumers have gravitated to this model, especially first-time drivers. However, it was unceremoniously discontinued in 2019.
If you’re interested in buying this model, you’re probably asking: are Chevy Cruzes good cars? Today, we’ll answer that question and more. We look at several key aspects of the Chevy Cruze to determine if it’s worth your hard-earned money and time. Let’s get to it.
Engine, Performance, and Fuel Economy
Most people buying the Chevy Cruze will likely use it as a daily driver. However, for those looking for a more spirited commute, the Cruze is far from your best bet. Many of the powertrain options of the Cruze are relatively lackluster, especially compared to its competitors. For instance, below are the engine options for the 2019 Chevy Cruze, which marked the subcompact car’s final year in the U.S.:
- Base Engine: 153-hp turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine
- Available Engine: 137-hp turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder diesel engine
As you can see, the Chevy Cruze’s engines are not typically characterized as “fast” compared to sports cars or performance-oriented vehicles. The 1.4-liter four-cylinder provides adequate power for daily driving and commuting but may be considered lackluster in acceleration and high-speed performance. Meanwhile, the 1.6-liter four-cylinder diesel engine focuses more on fuel efficiency and may not offer the spirited performance you want.
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Regarding performance, the Cruze offers a balanced driving experience, with some models providing more eager acceleration than others. Stability and ride comfort are also strong points, as the Cruze feels substantial on the road and offers a smooth ride over bumps and potholes. However, many critics have panned the subcompact’s disappointing manual transmission and uninspired handling.
Thankfully, the Cruze excels when it comes to fuel economy. To give you an idea, below is the breakdown of the 2019 Cruze based on data from EPA.gov:
- Cruze Sedan gas: 28⁄38 mpg city/highway
- Cruze Hatchback gas: 28⁄38 mpg
- Cruze Hatchback turbodiesel: 30⁄45 mpg
- Cruze Sedan turbodiesel: 31⁄48 mpg
Interior and Tech Features
The Chevy Cruze may be considered a compact car, but it’s reasonably roomy with enough legroom to accommodate full-grown adults. Moreover, the Cruze’s interior gives quite an upscale feel and can be optioned to a surprisingly premium level.
Having said that, the Cruze’s interior features a glossy black trim center console, faux leather surfaces on the dashboard, and contrast-color stitching throughout. These elements combine to create a luxurious appearance, contributing to a premium look and feel that is elegant and comfortable.
However, The Cruze’s interior has some drawbacks, including excessive chrome trimmings that can cause glare in bright sunlight and reports of a squeaky brake pedal. Although these issues don’t affect the vehicle’s performance, they detract from the refined cabin experience.
Chevy also did a great job with the Cruze’s standard tech. The subcompact car has a user-friendly infotainment system with a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto compatibility. In addition, the 2019 Cruze comes with a standard built-in Wi-Fi hotspot, allowing passengers to stay connected on the go. For premium features, the Cruze offers an upgraded 8-inch touchscreen, a nine-speaker Bose audio system, and wireless charging.
Overall, the Cruze boasts a well-rounded interior and technology – thanks to an impressive array of standard and available tech options.
Safety Features and Ratings
Are Chevy Cruzes good cars? For many people, the answer depends on how safe they are. Thankfully, safety is yet another strong suit of the Cruze subcompact car. For example, the 2019 Chevy Cruze has the following safety and driver assistance features:
- Forward Collision Alert: Warns the driver of a potential collision with a vehicle detected ahead.
- Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert: Provides side-mirror alerts to help the driver avoid a collision with a moving vehicle detected in the blind zone.
- Rear Cross Traffic Alert: Alerts the driver to approach cross-traffic behind the vehicle.
- Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning: Provides gentle steering wheel turns to help the driver avoid unintentionally drifting out of the lane.
- Rear Park Assist: Helps the driver park and avoid nearby detected objects.
- Low-Speed Forward Automatic Braking: Can automatically apply the brakes to help reduce a collision’s severity or avoid it altogether at very low speeds.
- StabiliTrak Electronic Stability Control System: Helps improve stability by detecting and reducing traction loss.
- OnStar & Chevrolet Connected Services: Offers automatic crash response, emergency services, crisis assist, stolen vehicle assistance, and more.
Most of the Cruze across all model years have received favorable safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS – with numerous NHTSA 5 Stars and IIHS Top Safety Picks for the discontinued subcompact car.
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Because the car buying experience is so stressful, it’s helpful to go into the dealership with information ahead of time. Therefore, we’ve curated a list of the 10 most reliable American cars so you can approach the process from a place of empowerment.
Long-Term Reliability and Best/Worst Years
RepairPal has rated the Chevy Cruze an Above Average rating of 4.0 out of 5.0, with 26th place out of 36 compact cars. These scores highlight the overall reliability of vehicles in the subcompact car segment.
For the Cruze years to avoid, we highly recommend skipping the 2011-2015 model years. Unfortunately, this Cruze lineup was plagued by significant reliability woes, including transmission and engine issues. Many critics, including Consumer Reports and consumers, have complained about severe mechanical problems.
As for the most reliable years, the final two iterations of the Cruze, the 2018 and 2019 models, have enjoyed fewer prevalent issues and complaints.
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Final Verdict: Are Chevy Cruzes Good Cars?
Are Chevy Cruzes good cars? Yes. If you’re looking for a dependable compact daily driver, the Chevy Cruze more than fits the bill. It’s an excellent vehicle for fuel efficiency, comfort, and modern amenities at a competitive price point. However, carefully choose the model years since earlier Cruze models were quite problematic.
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