DecodedCarsChevrolet Cruze
9 model years from 2011 to 2019, compared on size, efficiency, safety and reliability.
- Model years
- 2011–2019
- Class
- Compact Cars, Midsize Cars
- Latest engines
- 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, 1.4L 4-cyl turbo
- Best MPG
- 32–37 combined, by year
- Latest rating
- ★★★★★ (2019)
- Recalls
- 26 campaigns, all years
- Most complaints
- 2014 (643)
- Fewest problems
- 2019
- Interest
- 11,004 Wikipedia views / 30 days
The 2019 Cruze in brief
The 2019 Chevrolet Cruze is a compact car offered with 2 engines (1.6L 4-cyl turbo and 1.4L 4-cyl turbo) and front-wheel drive.
It measures about 184 inches long and 71 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 2,756 lb (4dr Sedan).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 37 MPG combined (31 city / 48 highway), 38% better than the 2019 compact car average of 26.8 MPG, for an estimated $2,050 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.
It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 23 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the power train.
The Chevrolet Cruze has 9 model years in our data, from 2011 to 2019, classed as Compact Cars, Midsize Cars.
Its most efficient year was 2019 at 37 MPG combined; across all years the best version ranged from 32 to 37 MPG.
Owners most often report problems with the engine (1,094), electrical system (603), power train (483).
Buying used? 2019 has the fewest problems in our data, and 2016 is the year to avoid.
2014 has the most recalls (10); all years together count 26 campaigns and 2,933 owner complaints.
How the 2011 Cruze compares
The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze is a midsize car offered with 2 engines (1.4L 4-cyl turbo and 1.8L 4-cyl) and front-wheel drive.
It measures about 182 inches long and 71 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,102 lb.
About the Chevrolet Cruze
The Chevrolet Cruze is a compact car produced by General Motors from 2008 through 2023. It was designated as a globally developed, designed, and manufactured four-door compact sedan, complemented by a five-door hatchback body variant from 2011, and a station wagon in 2012. The Cruze replaced several compact models, including the Chevrolet Optra which was sold internationally under various names, the Chevrolet Cobalt sold exclusively in North America, and the Australasian-market Holden Astra.
From the Wikipedia article "Chevrolet Cruze", licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
2019 Cruze pros & cons
Full 2019 details →What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 37 MPG combined — 38% better than the average 2019 compact car (26.8 MPG).
- 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
- Few owner complaints23 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 99 for similar models.
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Best and worst years to buy used
2019 Cruze
23 owner complaints · 2 recalls · 1 fire report · 4 crash reports
NHTSA overall: ★★★★★
Year to avoid2016 Cruze
250 owner complaints · 4 recalls · 6 fire reports · 19 crash reports
Most reported: Engine
NHTSA recalls and complaints for 5 model years since 2015; use it alongside a pre-purchase inspection. How we calculate this →
Cruze changes by model year
- 2018
- Now crash-tested by NHTSA: 5 stars overall
- 2017
- New diesel version
- Engine added: 1.6L 4-cyl turbo
- Engine dropped: 1.8L 4-cyl
- Best combined MPG up from 34 to 37
- 2016
- New body dimensions: 2.8 in longer — most likely a redesign or new generation
- No diesel version any more
- Engine dropped: 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
- Best combined MPG up from 32 to 34
- 2014
- New diesel version
- Engine added: 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Years without a measurable change are left out.
Show all 9 model years side by side
| Year | Latest engines | Best MPG / range | Length | Weight | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, 1.4L 4-cyl turbo | 37 MPG | 183.9 in | 2,756 lb | ★★★★★ | 2 | 23 |
| 2018 | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, 1.4L 4-cyl turbo | 37 MPG | 183.9 in | 2,756 lb | ★★★★★ | 3 | 109 |
| 2017 | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, 1.4L 4-cyl turbo | 37 MPG | 183.9 in | 2,756 lb | Not rated | 2 | 201 |
| 2016 | 1.4L 4-cyl turbo, 1.8L 4-cyl | 34 MPG | 183.9 in | 2,756 lb | Not rated | 4 | 250 |
| 2015 | 1.4L 4-cyl turbo, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 1.8L 4-cyl | 32 MPG | 181.1 in | 3,470 lb | Not rated | 4 | 252 |
| 2014 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 1.4L 4-cyl turbo, 1.8L 4-cyl | 32 MPG | 181.5 in | 3,475 lb | Not rated | 10 | 643 |
| 2013 | 1.4L 4-cyl turbo, 1.8L 4-cyl | 32 MPG | 181.5 in | 3,102 lb | Not rated | 5 | 450 |
| 2012 | 1.4L 4-cyl turbo, 1.8L 4-cyl | 32 MPG | 181.5 in | 3,102 lb | Not rated | 7 | 581 |
| 2011 | 1.4L 4-cyl turbo, 1.8L 4-cyl | 32 MPG | 181.5 in | 3,102 lb | Not rated | 7 | 424 |
Alternatives to the 2019 Cruze
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Toyota Corolla | 36 MPG | ★★★★★ | 6 |
| 2019 Honda Civic | 36 MPG | ★★★★★ | 4 |
| 2019 Honda Accord | 48 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2019 Toyota Camry | 52 MPG | ★★★★★ | 7 |
| 2019 Nissan GT-R | 18 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2019 Toyota Prius | 56 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
Most common owner-reported problems
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Chevrolet. How we calculate this →