To replace its middling Cobalt compact car, Chevrolet introduced the Cruze for the 2011 model year. Yes, it was still made for those who needed a five-passenger sedan at a budget-friendly price, but the Cruze was a dramatic improvement over the Cobalt. It was as though Chevrolet learned overnight how to build a competitive small new car.

First introduced in compact sedan form, the Cruze got a hatchback body style in the car’s second generation, tripling cargo space when its rear seats were folded down. A variety of four-cylinder motors powered the Cruze, including a B20 biodiesel-compatible turbo-diesel engine.

Following a minor refresh for the 2019 model year, the Cruze fell victim to the consumer shift to SUVs. Chevrolet canceled the car, so the nameplate is no more, but it will live on in the used car market for years.

Competitors over the years included the Toyota Corolla, Chevrolet Malibu, Nissan Sentra, and Honda Civic.

Generations: Two

Chevrolet Cruze 1st Generation
Chevrolet Cruze 2nd Generation

Pros: Roomy for its size, intuitive MyLink infotainment, reasonable MSRP
Cons: Bland design, some cheap bits inside

2016 to 2019: 2nd Generation

Chevrolet redesigned the Cruze for 2016, improving fuel economy and adding modern safety and infotainment technologies. A five-door hatchback joined the new Cruze model lineup for 2017. It added plenty of versatility, offering 22.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 47.2 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The second-generation Cruze benefitted from a mild cosmetic freshening for 2019, and then Chevy pulled the plug. Recognizing that Americans wanted SUVs, and needing to invest in an electrified future, the company could no longer afford to continue building a car that would languish at dealerships.

Initially, the second-generation Cruze came only with a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine. Starting in 2017, an Ecotec turbo-diesel 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine was available and could operate on B20 biodiesel fuel. A manual or six-speed automatic transmission sent power to the Cruze’s front wheels.

The gas-powered Chevy Cruze impressed with its high fuel economy of 34 mpg in combined driving, with the turbo-diesel returning slightly more, at 37 mpg. The second-generation Cruze has been recalled infrequently, but that could change over time.

Later in the Cruze’s second generation, Chevy added newer tech to keep the car fresh against its rivals. Even the base Cruze L came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, OnStar, Bluetooth, keyless entry, and steering wheel-mounted controls. Higher trims, such as the Cruze LT and Cruze Premier, were available with a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, a sunroof, SiriusXM satellite radio, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and more.

A load of advanced safety features were available later on as well, including adaptive cruise control, a rearview camera, blind-spot monitoring, and more.

CarGurus tested the Cruze in 2016 and gave it a score of 7.5. Successive tests in 2017 and 2018 each resulted in a lower score of 6.7.

2011 to 2016: 1st Generation

The Chevrolet Cruze debuted for the 2011 model year and ran through the 2016 model year, overlapping with the redesigned second-generation version of the car. That car was called the Cruze Limited, and it gave consumers and businesses a lower-cost alternative to the redesigned version.

Four trim levels were available for the Cruze when it debuted: LS, LT, Eco, and LTZ. A low-cost L trim arrived for 2015. The first-generation Cruze shares a platform with the Buick Verano, but you wouldn’t know it from how different they are in terms of powertrains, exterior design, interior materials, and layout.

A 136-horsepower 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine was standard for the Cruze, with a 138-hp, turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine installed in higher trim levels. The turbocharged engine made more torque, resulting in more satisfying performance. Both engines were offered with choice of a manual transmission or an automatic transmission, and all of these first-gen Cruze sedans were front-wheel drive (FWD).

Depending on the powertrain combination, fuel economy ranged from 26 to 32 mpg in combined driving. In 2014 and 2015, a turbo-diesel 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine popped into the lineup, matching the thrifty gas-engined Cruze Eco at 32 mpg in combined driving.

The first-generation Cruze wasn’t a particularly reliable vehicle, with recalls pertaining to its powertrain and mechanicals during every year of its existence. Still, good safety ratings, a generously sized trunk, a modern (for its time) infotainment system, and the efficient Cruze Eco and Cruze Diesel models made the car appealing.