Chevrolet Cruze Overview: Generations, Specs and Which One to Buy
A guide to chevrolet cruze generations from 2011 to 2019: body styles, power ranges from 100 to 163 hp, and the standout versions of each generation.
The Chevrolet Cruze is a sedan built from 2011 to 2019 with outputs from 100 to 163 hp across four generations. Anyone comparing chevrolet cruze specs will find a compact front-wheel-drive car offered with manual and automatic gearboxes, petrol and diesel engines, and a wide spread of modifications — from a modest 109 hp hatchback to a 163 hp diesel sedan.
Chevrolet Cruze generations
1 generation (2011–2014)
The first generation was sold in 2011–2014 as a 5-door hatchback with 25 modifications spanning 109–150 hp, front-wheel drive, and both manual and automatic gearboxes. The volume version is the Chevrolet Cruze 1.6 MT (124 hp) with a 1598 cc engine and 0–100 km/h in 12.0 seconds. The top option is the 2.0 MT diesel with 150 hp from 1991 cc, accelerating in 10.0 seconds while consuming 5.6 l/100 km.
1 generation, restyling (2015–2017)
The restyled first generation switched to a sedan body and ran from 2015 to 2017 with 29 modifications — the widest lineup of the model — covering 100–163 hp. The mainstream Chevrolet Cruze 1.4 AT (140 hp) uses a 1362 cc engine, reaches 100 km/h in 10.8 seconds, and consumes 6.4 l/100 km. The strongest version is the 2.0 AT diesel with 163 hp (1998 cc, 9.1 s, 5.9 l/100 km), while the 1.7 MT diesel with 110 hp posts the lowest consumption of the entire model range at 3.9 l/100 km.
2 generation (2016–2018)
The second generation sedan was produced in 2016–2018 in just 6 modifications, from 137 to 153 hp, all front-wheel drive with manual or automatic transmission. The core version is the Chevrolet Cruze 1.4 AT (153 hp) with a 1399 cc engine — despite the small displacement it is both the volume and the most powerful option, and its 8.5 seconds to 100 km/h is the quickest of any Cruze. The 1.6 MT diesel offers 137 hp, 9.2 seconds, and 6.3 l/100 km.
2 generation, restyling (2018–2019)
The final update was sold in 2018–2019 as a sedan with only 4 modifications, 137–155 hp, and automatic transmission exclusively. The mass version is the Chevrolet Cruze 1.4 AT with 155 hp (1399 cc) and the same class-leading 8.5-second sprint. The 1.6 AT diesel comes in 155 hp (9.4 s, 6.6 l/100 km) and 137 hp forms.
Which Chevrolet Cruze to buy
- 1.4 AT (153 hp) (2 generation): the quickest Cruze at 8.5 seconds to 100 km/h from a compact 1399 cc turbo engine.
- 1.7 MT (110 hp) (1 generation, restyling): the most frugal version of the model — 3.9 l/100 km from a 1686 cc diesel.
- 2.0 AT (163 hp) (1 generation, restyling): the highest output in the range, 163 hp with 9.1 seconds and 5.9 l/100 km.
- 1.6 MT (124 hp) (1 generation): the volume choice of the early hatchback years, 1598 cc and 12.0 seconds to 100 km/h.
On the used market the 2015–2017 restyling offers the broadest choice with 29 modifications, so finding a specific engine and gearbox combination is easiest there. The 2018–2019 cars are the newest but limit the search to 4 automatic-only versions.
Which Chevrolet Cruze to avoid
Within the second generation, the Chevrolet Cruze 1.6 MT (137 hp) is dominated on paper by the 1.4 AT (153 hp): 16 hp less and 9.2 versus 8.5 seconds to 100 km/h. It only makes sense if a manual gearbox or the diesel's 6.3 l/100 km is the priority.