The Chevrolet Cruze is a compact car manufactured and marketed by General Motors for its Chevrolet division between 2008 and 2019.
Chevrolet Cruzee Introduction
When it was first introduced in 2008, the Cruze was sold in South Korea under the name Daewoo Lacetti Premiere. When the Daewoo brand was discontinued in 2011, the Cruze was rebranded as a Chevrolet. At the time of its release, the Cruze was meant to serve as a replacement for several different compact models, such as the Chevrolet Optra (which was sold under other names in different markets), the Chevrolet Cobalt (which was only available in North America), and the Holden Astra (which was sold in Australia).
History of the Chevrolet Cruze
First Generation Chevrolet Cruze (J300; 2008–2016)
In 2009, Chevrolet debuted their Cruze sedan at the Paris Motor Show. Chevrolet released the car to the public when the world economy was in turmoil, and it combined cutting-edge features with reasonable pricing. When General Motors acquired Daewoo, it also gained access to Daewoo's dealer platforms and networks in Europe. Daewoo's entry-level Lacetti model was a game-changer in Europe, opening the door to a new segment of cheap sedans and hatchbacks.
For this reason, Chevrolet produced the Cruze. General Motors fitted a mixture of diesel and gasoline engines to the engine bay. Depending on the engine, a 5 or 6-speed manual transmission was standard, with an optional 6-speed automatic transmission.
Second Generation Chevrolet Cruze (J400; 2016–2019)
The 2016 Chevrolet Cruze has an updated look, plenty of space inside, and the latest in driver assistance and safety equipment. The new Cruze was a significant departure from its forerunner in aesthetics, thanks to its sleek design, high-quality materials, and cutting-edge features. The base model came with a 1.4L turbocharged engine, good for 15 more horsepower than the previous unit. The Cruze gained quickness as a result of its decreased weight and higher torque.
USA
Chevrolet first released the second-generation Cruze in the United States in 2016. Then, in 2018, it received a facelift in its sedan and hatchback body styles. To save money on the Cruze's development, Chevrolet adopted practically all Opel/Vauxhall's Astra K plans for the American market. The bowtie company wasted another year making the product suitable for the American market, but the result was well worth it. Sedan versions of the Cruze also found a following, with over half of buyers being first-time Chevrolet customers. Due to poor demand, General Motors discontinued the Cruze's manual transmission option for the 2019 model year and made automatics the sole available transmission. The manufacturer provided just two engine displacements, turbocharged at 1.4L, one for gasoline and another for diesel at 1.6L. The gasoline engines were mated to six-speed autos, while Chevrolet gave the oil burners nine-speed vehicles.
Price
In 2019, Chevrolet retailed the 2019 Chevrolet Cruze with a starting manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $18,870 ($21,860 in 2022) for the L (base) trim, rising to $24,395 ($28,260 in 2022) for the top-of-the-line Premier trim.
Features of the Chevrolet Cruze
Exterior Features
With the redesigned front-end style, the 2019 Chevy Cruze car now appears more muscular than it has in past years. Whereas the lighting has been updated to include LED accents in the taillight clusters, the rest of the exterior has remained largely unchanged from the previous year. It still has power-adjustable mirrors (heated on Diesel/Premier), body-color door handles, halogen twin-reflector headlights (dual-projector on higher trims), optional fog lamps, and wheels ranging in size from 15" to 18". The RS package includes RS badging, a sports body kit, black bowtie badges, and a sporty rear spoiler, all of which contribute to a more aggressive appearance.
Interior Features
The Cruze hatchback and sedan feature nearly comparable cabin dimensions. Thanks to the vehicle's high, flat roof relative to sedan passengers, rear-seat passengers have an extra half inch of headroom thanks to the vehicle's high, flat roof. The Cruze's interior can be equipped to a surprisingly high standard for such a small car via optional upgrades. However, many Cruze buyers will be locked out of these features due to their high sticker prices. A power-adjustable driver's seat is not included in lower trim levels, but the fabric seats are pleasant. The Premier's available heated steering wheel with bun-warming rear seats in this class is a delight, but the lack of standard cruise control takes some of the shine off.
Standard Features
L Trim
- Start/Stop Technology
- Power Door Locks
- Rearview Camera
- Two USB Charging Ports
- Remote Keyless Entry
- Power Windows
- Center Console
- Teen Driver Technology
Higher Trims
- Remote Vehicle Starter System
- Cruise Control
- Keyless Entry
- Heated Driver and Passenger Seats
- Heated Steering Wheel
- Automatic Climate Control
- Heated Power-Adjustable Mirrors (Premier)
Infotainment Features
- Seven-Inch Touch-Screen
- Android Auto
- Apple Carplay
- Bluetooth
- SiriusXM Functionality (LT, Premier, and Diesel Trims)
- Bose's Premium Nine-Speaker (option)
- USB
- Auxiliary Inputs
Safety Features
- Ten Airbags - Dual Front Knee Airbags, Rear-Seat-Mounted Side Airbags
- Teen Driver Technology
- Rear Park Assist
- Lane-Change Alert
- Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
- Lane-Keep Assist
- Automatic Emergency Braking
Release Date
Chevrolet released the Chevrolet Cruze from 2008 to 2019.