Last Updated on December 17, 2023 by Leepu Da Maxim
The Chevrolet Cruze is a compact car in several body styles; hatchback, sedan, and station wagon. The model has been produced by General Motors since 2008 and has proved to be a good car. It has impressive fuel economy, a comfortable ride, and terrific features.
2022 Chevrolet Cruze review
Key features
- It comes in two body models: a four-door sedan and a four-door hatchback
- Efficient powertrain
- Standard power-adjustable driver’s seat
- An excellent infotainment system that includes 4G LTE
- Easily foldable rear seat
- Fantastic security features: front collision, line guard assistance, and automatic emergency braking.
Specifications
| Engine/ motor | Turbocharged four-cylinder engine Available turbocharged diesel engine four-cylinder engine |
| Torque | 177 lb-ft |
| Horsepower | 153 hp |
| Drivetrain | Front-wheel drive with optional all-wheel drive |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual transmission and optional six-speed automatic The diesel engine has a nine-speed automatic transmission |
| Fuel economy | 36 mpg highway |
Pros
- Impressive infotainment system
- Feels sporty and steady around turns
- Spacious cabin and trunk
- Ample and quality standard features
- Impeccable fuel economy
- Good reliability ratings
- It offers a diesel-powered engine for better fuel economy
Cons
- High upfront cost, especially for the diesel engine
- The front seats aren’t as comfortable as you would expect
- The gas engine disappoints in real-world mpg and acceleration
What makes the Chevrolet Cruze a good car?
There are a lot of features that make up a good car by everyone’s standards; what’s a good car for me might not be a good one for you or the next person. However, some features and characteristics are considered standard in every good car. This section takes you through the qualities of an excellent car to help evaluate if the Chevy Cruze is a good car.
Qualities of a good car include reliability, comfort, performance, safety, and affordability.
Reliability
The Chevy Cruze is a very reliable model with above-average reliability ratings. It has a RepairPal reliability score of 4.0 out of 5.0, ranking it 26th out of 36 compact cars. The model has an average annual repair and maintenance cost of $545, which is higher than the average for compact cars, which is $530.
Reliability is measured by how well a model can be relied on to get you to your destination without stalling. It also looks at the severity of problems on a vehicle and how long the car stays off the road for repairs and maintenance. The Chevy Cruze performs excellently, making it a very reliable model.
Comfort
The Chevrolet Cruze is designed to offer drivers and passengers premium comfort. The hatchback and the sedan have the same head and legroom. You can customize the cabin of your Chevy Cruze depending on the trim level.
The interior of the Chevy Cruze features comfortable seats that are made of fabric in the base trim. It also has a premier trim that features power-adjustable drivers’ seats and heated rear seats. The rear seats are also foldable using a lever mounted on the outboard rear seat.
We cannot mention comfort in a Chevy Cruze and overlook its infotainment features. The Chevy Cruze gives owners access to 4G LTE connectivity on a 7.0-inch touchscreen with buttons for critical functions at the bottom of the screen. It also comes with Android Auto and Apple car play as standard.
Performance
The engine, transmission, and overall performance of this model are impeccable, with the highlight being its brisk acceleration with the gasoline-powered four-cylinder engine and smooth ride.
The Chevy Cruze’s base engine is a turbocharged four-cylinder that gives off 153-hp paired with a six-speed manual transmission. The manual transmission isn’t as impeccable as you would expect because of the inaccurate gear throws and an overly light clutch pedal. We recommend the optional six-speed automatic that handles acceleration excellently.
The diesel engine is a turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired to a nine-speed automatic. This diesel engine is significantly rougher and louder than the gasoline engine, but when cruising at highway speed, it’s quiet enough to be confused for a gasoline engine.
The Chevy Cruze is impeccable for the ride quality because it feels substantial on the road and more stable than you would expect. It has hefty steering that is responsive and excellently tracks down the road. This model gives a smooth ride even when driving over potholes and bumps.
Safety
The Chevrolet Cruze performed excellently in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash tests. Most key safety features come standard, and the driver assistance features are optional.
Some of the safety features that come as standard include:
- Automated emergency braking
- Lane-keeping assist
- Forward-collision warning
The driver-assistance and safety features that are optional include:
- Automated emergency braking
- Lane-departure warning
- Lane-keeping assist
- Forward-collision warning
Affordability
The Chevrolet Cruze base model has an MSRP of $20,495, while the highest trim level has an MSRP of $26,995. With this model, you get luxury at very affordable prices. Maintaining the Chevy Cruze isn’t as expensive as you would expect from a luxury car. The model’s annual repair cost is $545 compared to the average of all models, which is $652 making the Chevy Cruze very affordable to maintain.
Fuel economy
When you focus on the fuel efficiency of the Chevy Cruze without looking at performance, the model does quite well. All powertrains are very fuel-efficient, outshining some hybrid models. The gas-powered Chevrolet Cruze with a six-speed automatic transmission has an EPA rating of 39 mpg. This is by far the most fuel-efficient Chevy you will ever come across.
Warranty coverage
The Chevrolet Cruze comes with Chevy’s impeccable warranty coverage that matches most other warranties. When you buy a brand-new Chevy Cruze, you get:
- One free maintenance service within the first year of ownership
- Limited warranty coverage for 36,000 miles or three years
- A powertrain warranty coverage for 60,000 miles or five years
Frequently asked questions
Does Chevy Cruze have a lot of problems?
No, the Chevy Cruze is a very reliable model with minimal problems; most of the issues on a Chevy Cruze are not severe. According to RepairPal, a Chevrolet Cruze only goes to a repair shop for unscheduled repairs an average of 0.4 times per year. This is the average time for all vehicle models. Out of these visits, the probability of the issues being severe is only 12% which is also the average for all car models.
Which Chevy Cruze years should I avoid?
Older models of the Chevrolet Cruze had many problems; if you want to buy a used Chevy Cruze, avoid model years between 2011-2015. These models were plagued with engine issues, so you might buy a car and spend thousands of dollars on repairs.
How long does a Chevy Cruze last?
A Chevy Cruze lasts between 200,000-250,000 miles when well-driven and adequately maintained. You can expect the model to last 13-15 years before it needs any major repairs.
Is A Chevy Cruze Worth Buying?
The latest models of the Chevrolet Cruze offer tremendous value by having a competitive base price and excellent fuel economy. It is also affordable to maintain and comes with lots of luxury features. If you’ve been eyeing a Chevrolet Cruze, this is your sign to get it. Happy driving!
References:
https://www.carparts.com/blog/chevrolet-cruze-reliability-and-common-problems/
https://repairpal.com/reliability/chevrolet/cruze
Hi, I’m Leepu Da Maxim, a dedicated car enthusiast with over 10 years of experience in this field, and I’m thrilled to share my passion and expertise with fellow car enthusiasts like you. My journey began in my hometown West Jordan, Utah, where my fascination with the mechanics and design of cars sparked at a young age. Over the years, this passion has evolved into a commitment to providing accurate, insightful, and engaging information about all things automotive through CarsAmazing.