The Chevrolet Cruze is a compact vehicle produced since the 2008 model year. The vehicle is currently in its second generation, which was first introduced with the 2016 model year. The 2018 and 2019 versions of the Chevy Cruze have each received new upgrades and features worth discussing.
2018 Chevy Cruze Overview
Fuel Efficiency and Performance
According to several metrics, the 2018 Chevy Cruze was one of the more popular compact cars. The vehicle has a wide variety of features that help make it a good option for people that are looking for a car that gets great fuel efficiency and also has some comfort and style features included. It comes standard with a 1.4-liter engine that produces about 153 horsepower. When paired with the standard body and automatic transmission, one can expect to get up to 40 MPG when driving on the highway and 29 MPG in the city.
Those looking for the best engine performance possible might look into upgrading to the turbodiesel engine option. There will be a reduction in horsepower, but fuel efficiency can be as high as 52 MPG when driving on the highway. For the first time ever with the 2018 model year, buyers can have the turbodiesel engine placed inside of the hatchback model.
Seating and Space
For a compact car, the Cruze has an impressive amount of space. All 2018 Cruze’s come standard with seating for five people and manually adjusted seats. There are also a variety of anchors in the back seat, which are great for trying to connect child safety seats. Overall, people have stated that there is ample seating in the base model of the Cruze. Those that are looking for more comfort and style can choose to upgrade to power seats, leather upholstery, and even heated and cooled front seats.
Safety Ratings
This 2018 version has received a variety of positive ratings from the NHTSA, which includes receiving an overall rating of five stars. The Cruze has a variety of standard safety features, including six different front and rear airbags, antilock brakes, electronic stability control, traction control, and daytime running lights. All of these will help to provide a driver with a strong sense of safety when they are behind the wheel.
2019 Chevy Cruze Upgrades
For those that are looking for a brand-new Chevy Cruze, the 2019 model year could be a great option to consider. Chevy hasn’t made any major changes to the 2019 compared to the prior model year, but there are some new options and style changes that give the car a new sleek look. For the 2019 model year, the Cruze has a brand new front grill and fascia, for example.
The 2019 also has more tech advancements available. There are now more trim levels and a touch screen display, which can be used to control the audio and entertainment system and also has a rearview camera. All trim levels now also come standard with the automatic transmission as the manual option is no longer available.
There are a variety of compact cars in the market today. Some of the most popular include the Ford Focus, the Honda Civic, and Mazda 3. Below is a summary of how each of these three cars compare to the Chevy Cruze.
Chevy Cruze vs Ford Focus
Overall, the Cruze compares favorably to the Ford Focus, having better ratings in terms of both reliability and safety. Furthermore, the Cruze sedan has almost 2 more cubic feet of storage than the Focus. The Cruze also comes standard with more interior tech features than the Focus.
The overall engine performance of the Focus is slightly better, as its top engine can produce more than 160 horsepower (compared to the 2018 Cruze at 153). However, that can come with a sacrifice in terms of fuel efficiency. The Focus also does not provide a diesel engine option, unlike the Cruze.
Chevy Cruze vs Honda Civic
Many critics also consider the Cruze to be a strong competitor to the Honda Civic. Many have praised the comfort, safety, and reliability features of the Cruze, and it is also more affordable. The Civic and the Cruze each have strong overall cargo space ratings, with the slight edge going to the Cruze in both the sedan and hatchback options.
Engine performance is better with the Civic, which offers a turbocharged engine that can produce up to 300 horsepower. However, fuel efficiency declines considerably with that engine option. When getting the standard four-cylinder engine option, which has comparable performance, Civic drivers will receive the same fuel efficiency as the Cruze.
Chevy Cruze vs Mazda 3
The Cruze also compares favorably to the Mazda 3 in terms of safety, reliability, and cargo space. The Mazda 3 also has some more powerful engine option upgrades, but those can be expensive and might reduce fuel efficiency.