Best Car Reviews - 2019 Chevrolet Cruze

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Introduction

The 2019 Chevrolet Cruze is a compact front-wheel-drive car aimed at commuters, small families, and used-car buyers who want a comfortable, efficient sedan or hatchback. It combines a turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine with a practical cabin, useful connectivity, and a more mature driving character than many basic compact cars. This final U.S.-market Cruze model year also brought refreshed exterior styling and an updated trim lineup.

Design and Exterior Features

The Cruze has a clean, aerodynamic shape with a low roofline, a wide grille, and sharply styled headlamps. The sedan is about 183.7 inches long, placing it squarely in the compact-car class, while the hatchback offers a more versatile rear opening. For 2019, Chevrolet revised the front-end appearance and refreshed the rear styling, helping the Cruze look more contemporary than earlier second-generation models.

Available as a four-door sedan or five-door hatchback.
2019 refresh included revised front and rear styling details.
Compact proportions make city parking and daily driving easy.
Available alloy wheels and a range of metallic exterior colors.
Hatchback body offers added cargo flexibility.

Interior and Comfort

The Cruze interior is logically arranged, with straightforward controls and a dashboard centered around the infotainment screen. Materials are generally appropriate for the class, with better trim and convenience features on LT and Premier versions. Front-seat space is comfortable for most adults, and the cabin is suitably quiet at cruising speeds, although rear-seat room is less generous than in some larger compact rivals.

Five-passenger seating configuration.
Clear dashboard layout with physical controls for common functions.
Available heated front seats and leather-appointed seating on upper trims.
Useful storage areas for everyday items.
Hatchback models provide more adaptable cargo space.

Performance and Handling

The regular-gasoline Cruze uses a turbocharged 1.4-litre SIDI four-cylinder engine producing 153 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque. U.S.-market gasoline Cruzes were generally paired with a six-speed automatic transmission rather than a continuously variable transmission, so buyers should confirm the transmission fitted to any specific vehicle. The supplied consumption figure is about 9.0 L/100 km; published U.S. EPA figures for the gasoline automatic version are approximately 8.4 L/100 km city, 6.2 L/100 km highway, and 7.4 L/100 km combined. Acceleration is adequately brisk for daily traffic, and the Cruze feels composed on the highway, though it is not a sporty compact.

1.4-litre turbocharged SIDI inline-four engine.
153 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque.
Front-wheel drive.
Regular gasoline fuel requirement.
Balanced ride and stable highway manners.

Technology and Connectivity

Most 2019 Cruzes use Chevrolet’s MyLink infotainment system with a 7-inch touchscreen and easy-to-learn menus. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility make smartphone integration a major advantage, while available equipment includes navigation, a Wi-Fi hotspot, remote services, and premium audio. Technology availability varies significantly by trim and option package.

7-inch touchscreen infotainment system.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.
Bluetooth phone and audio streaming.
Available built-in navigation and Wi-Fi hotspot capability.
Available Chevrolet Connected Services and remote functions.

Safety Features

Standard safety equipment includes a rearview camera, electronic stability control, traction control, airbags, LATCH child-seat anchors, and Chevrolet Teen Driver settings. Available driver-assistance features include forward collision alert, low-speed automatic braking, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, blind-zone alert, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear park assist. The 2019 Cruze sedan received a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, while the related 2016-19 sedan design earned Good ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in its moderate-overlap front and side evaluations.

Standard rearview camera and StabiliTrak electronic stability control.
Standard front, side, knee, and curtain airbags.
Available forward collision alert and low-speed automatic braking.
Available lane keep assist and lane departure warning.
Available blind-zone, rear cross-traffic, and rear park-assist systems.

Pricing and Variants

The 2019 Chevrolet Cruze sedan started at $17,995 MSRP in the United States, excluding destination and other fees. Gasoline trims included L, LS, LT, and Premier, with sedan and hatchback availability depending on trim; diesel versions were also offered separately. Against alternatives such as the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Hyundai Elantra, and Kia Forte, the Cruze was competitively priced and well equipped for connectivity, although its resale strength and long-term reputation were less compelling than the best Japanese rivals.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Efficient turbocharged engine with useful low-end torque.
Comfortable and stable highway driving manners.
Simple infotainment system with smartphone integration.
Available hatchback provides practical cargo versatility.
Strong available safety and convenience equipment for the class.

Cons

Rear-seat space is only average for a compact car.
Base trims can feel plainly equipped.
Some advanced driver-assistance features were optional.
Turbocharged engine and automatic-transmission repairs can be costly if neglected.
Discontinued model status may affect parts availability and resale appeal over time.

Maintenance and Common Issues

Repair-cost estimates for the Cruze average about $545 per year, although actual spending depends heavily on mileage, maintenance history, location, and repair-shop rates. Common owner-reported concerns for the Cruze nameplate and this generation include harsh or hesitant automatic shifting, coolant loss or cooling-system leaks, turbocharger or boost-control faults, check-engine lights related to air-intake or sensor issues, and electrical concerns involving the battery, key fob, or infotainment system. A pre-purchase inspection and a review of recall and service history are especially worthwhile on a used example.

Rating

Overall rating: 7.4/10. Design: 7.5/10; comfort: 7.3/10; performance: 7.4/10; technology: 7.8/10; safety: 7.2/10. The Cruze is a well-rounded compact car with a strong feature set, but it benefits from careful used-car selection and documented maintenance.

User Reviews and Feedback

Owner feedback is mixed but generally favorable when the car has been maintained properly. Many drivers value its fuel economy, quiet cruising character, and easy phone connectivity, while negative feedback most often focuses on repair concerns or occasional drivability and electronic issues as mileage rises.

Owners often appreciate the responsive turbocharged engine in normal commuting.
Highway comfort and fuel economy are frequent positive points.
The infotainment system is commonly considered easy to use.
Hatchback owners tend to value the cargo access and versatility.
Some owners advise budgeting for cooling, turbo, sensor, or transmission-related repairs.

Best Cars in This Category

2019 Honda Civic
2019 Toyota Corolla
2019 Mazda Mazda3
2019 Hyundai Elantra
2019 Kia Forte

Summary

The 2019 Chevrolet Cruze suits buyers who want an affordable compact car with a turbocharged engine, modern smartphone connectivity, and a comfortable highway ride. It is especially appealing as a well-equipped LT, Premier, or practical hatchback, provided its service records are complete and a thorough inspection shows no developing cooling, turbo, transmission, or electrical problems. Its value is strongest for buyers who prioritize features and everyday usability over the resale confidence of the segment’s leading rivals.