more about this model Up until six years ago, when Chevrolet brought out the Cruze, the company's entries in the compact car class were undeserving of high honors. More refined entries from Asia easily surpassed the Cobalt, which was the Cruze's precursor. And the Cobalt's predecessor, the Cavalier, should have been made to sit in the corner of the showroom with a dunce cap on.
The first iteration of the Cruze earned much better grades than Chevy's previous compacts and made Chevrolet competitive in the segment. The Cruze was completely redesigned last year, and this latest version is yet another giant step up, boasting handsomely chiseled styling, solid driving dynamics, a much nicer interior, and the latest and greatest in technology. Let's just say that if you checked out a 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt and a 2017 Chevrolet Cruze back to back, you'd swear they were 20 years apart and made by two very different car companies.
It's certainly up to date: Every 2017 Chevrolet Cruze comes with a touchscreen audio system, a rearview camera, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a built-in Wi-Fi hot spot. The Cruze also offers top-notch safety features, such as blind-spot monitoring and lane departure warning. Other commendations for the Cruze include a roomy backseat and a suspension that provides both a supple ride over bumps and responsive, even entertaining, handling in curves.
New this year is a hatchback body style, which provides added cargo-carrying versatility with an even smaller footprint than the Cruze sedan. If you are considering a Cruze sedan, you have four trim levels to choose from, ranging from L to Premier. Even the base L comes with the electronic conveniences already mentioned, as well as a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel and automatic headlights. The Premier comes loaded, with leather seating and even a heated steering wheel among its standard features. In between sit the LS and LT. The hatchback comes only in the upper two trim levels.
Our quibbles are few and minor. You can only get one engine in the Cruze: a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder. It can be matched to a six-speed automatic or a six-speed manual transmission. The EPA fuel economy figures are respectable: You?ll get 31 mpg combined (28 city/37 highway) for both a Premier hatchback with the automatic and non-Premier hatchback with the manual. The EPA says you can expect 34 mpg combined (30 city/40 highway) for a non-Premier sedan with the automatic.
However, the Cruze's performance is somewhat lackluster when compared with rivals in all-out acceleration tests. That said, it is perfectly acceptable in the real world as it furnishes ample passing and merging power, thanks to the turbo's torque and a responsive automatic transmission that quickly downshifts when needed. Oddly, cruise control can only be had on the upper two of the four available sedan trim levels.
All things considered, the 2017 Chevrolet Cruze stands as a worthy choice in a class of high achievers. Edmunds can help you find the Cruze that's just right for you.
2017 Chevrolet Cruze Overview
Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2017 Chevrolet Cruze and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2017 Cruze featuring deep dives into trim levels and features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.
Our Review Process
This review was written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.
We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.
Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2017 Chevrolet Cruze and all its trim types. Overall, Edmunds users rate the 2017 Cruze 3.8 on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database. Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior, exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 2017 Cruze.
Vehicle
LT 4dr Sedan (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
Review
After being in a 2004 Toyota Corolla I took a leap of faith and went with a 2017 Chevy Cruze. I am very happy with my choice. I think the engine is peppy and has good acceleration. I don't understand why there are a few pro blogs and reviews that this engine is not strong enough. I test drove a few other cars like the new Civic, new 2016 Corolla, and an Elantra... This 1.4 Turbo engine deigned by GM is more than fine. Especially for an entry level price point. I am tall 6'3" and I weight 275... Yet I fit perfectly. I think this car is an excellent choice and I am glad I took it over the other competitors.
See all consumer reviews and retings for the 2017 Chevrolet Cruze
Edmunds Value
Edmunds has deep data on over 6 million new, used, and certified pre-owned vehicles, including rich, trim-level features and specs information like: MSRP, average price paid, warranty information (basic, drivetrain, and maintenance), features (upholstery, bluetooth, navigation, heated seating, cooled seating, cruise control, parking assistance, keyless ignition, satellite radio, folding rears seats ,run flat tires, wheel type, tire size, wheel tire, sunroof, etc.), vehicle specifications (engine cylinder count, drivetrain, engine power, engine torque, engine displacement, transmission), fuel economy (city, highway, combined, fuel capacity, range), vehicle dimensions (length, width, seating capacity, cargo space), car safety, true cost to own. Edmunds also provides tools to allow shopper to compare vehicles to similar models of their choosing by warranty, interior features, exterior features, specifications, fuel economy, vehicle dimensions, consumer rating, edmunds rating, and color
The 2017 Chevrolet Cruze earned a 4-star overall safety rating from NHTSA and "GOOD" ratings from the IIHS in the following caregories: Side Impact Test, Moderate Overlap Front Test Results, and a JD POWER overall quality rating of 5.0 out of 5. Among Edmunds' many tools and resources for finding your perfect car are detailed safety ratings and analysis from NHTSA, IIHS, and JD Power, including overall ratings, frontal barrier crash ratings, side impact tests and crash ratings, rollover test results, roof strength tests, rear crash protection and head restraint ratings, side barrier ratings, combined side barrier and pole ratings, and more.
Available Chevrolet Cruze 2017 Submodel Types: Sedan, Hatchback, Diesel
Available Trims: LT, 1LT, LS, 2LT, LTZ, Premier, Eco, LT Fleet, Diesel, L
Exterior Colors: Silver Ice Metallic, Summit White, Black Granite Metallic, Red Hot, Tungsten Metallic, Mosaic Black Metallic, Blue Ray Metallic, Kinetic Blue Metallic, Cajun Red Tintcoat, Champagne Silver Metallic, Arctic Blue Metallic, Atlantis Blue Metallic, Graphite Metallic, Crystal Red Tintcoat, Pepperdust Metallic, Black, Rainforest Green Metallic, Blue Topaz Metallic, Nightfall Gray Metallic, Siren Red Tintcoat, Orange Burst Metallic, Autumn Metallic, Crystal Red Metallic Tintcoat, Ice Blue Metallic, Cyber Gray Metallic, Blue Granite Metallic, Gold Mist Metallic, Imperial Blue Metallic, Autumn Bronze Metallic, Satin Steel Metallic, Taupe Gray Metallic, Victory Red
Interior Colors: Jet Black cloth, Jet Black premium cloth, Jet Black leather, Jet Black/Medium Titanium premium cloth, Dark Atmosphere/Medium Atmosphere cloth, Medium Titanium premium cloth, Cocoa/Light Neutral leather, Jet Black/Sport Red premium cloth, Brownstone leather, Dark Atmosphere/Medium Atmosphere leather, Brownstone premium cloth, Jet Black/Kalahari leather, Jet Black/Brick leather
Popular Features: Alarm, Aux Audio Inputs, Fold Flat Rear Seats, Rear Bench Seats, Stability Control, Tire Pressure Warning, Trip Computer, Post-collision safety system, Bluetooth, USB Inputs, Audio and cruise controls on steering wheel, Mobile Internet, Back-up camera, Power Driver Seat, Remote Start, Apple Carplay/Android Auto, Heated seats, Keyless Entry/Start, Leather Seats, Sunroof/Moonroof, Upgraded Stereo, Parking sensors, Auto Climate Control, Blind Spot Monitoring, Upgraded Engine, Navigation, Lane Departure Warning
Engine/Mechanics: 4 cylinders
Transmission: AUTOMATIC, MANUAL
Fuel Types: regular unleaded, diesel
Drivetrains: front wheel drive
Edmunds attended a manufacturer-sponsored event, to which selected members of the press were invited, to facilitate this report.
