2013 Chevrolet Cruze

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2013 Chevrolet Cruze

Starting MSRP $17,130–$23,550


Expert Reviews

By Cars.com Staff

Cars.com National June 22, 2012

Vehicle Overview

The Cruze is Chevrolet's compact car. It has room for up to five people, and competitors include the Honda Civic, Ford Focus and Hyundai Elantra.

(Skip to details on the: Cruze Eco)

New for 2013

The MyLink entertainment system is available. A new Enhanced Safety Package bundles blind spot monitoring, rear park assist and rear cross-traffic alert.

Exterior

The Cruze is sold only as a sedan, as opposed to some of its competition that offers multiple body styles. The Cruze's styling isn't daring, but it's distinctive in this class. Exterior features include:

  • Available 16-, 17- or 18-inch alloy wheels
  • Standard 16-inch steel wheels
  • Available fog lamps 
  • Available power sunroof
  • Available RS Appearance Package with unique body pieces and a rear spoiler

Interior

Interior choices include interesting rough-hewn woven trim or more conventional leather-style appliqués on the dashboard and door panels. Interior features include:

  • Standard air conditioning, power windows and power locks
  • Standard cloth upholstery; leather optional
  • Standard tilt/telescoping steering wheel
  • Standard CD stereo with MP3 jack and Bluetooth connectivity
  • Optional touch-screen navigation system 
  • Available MyLink entertainment system 
  • 15.4-cubic-foot trunk

Under the Hood

The Cruze is offered with a choice of four-cylinder engines: a 1.8-liter and an optional turbocharged 1.4-liter. Mechanical features include:

  • Standard 138-horsepower, 1.8-liter four-cylinder makes 125 pounds-feet of torque
  • Optional 138-hp, turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder makes 148 pounds-feet of torque
  • Both engines use regular gas
  • Standard six-speed manual transmission
  • Optional six-speed automatic transmission

Safety

The Cruze has 10 airbags standard. In addition to the required front pair, there are seat-mounted side-impact airbags for all four outboard seats, curtain airbags to cover the side windows on both sides and front knee airbags. The knee airbags protect the occupants' legs and help prevent them from sliding forward, which would make the other restraints less effective. Additional safety features include:

  • Antilock brakes
  • Electronic stability system
  • Available blind spot warning system and rear cross-traffic alert
  • Available backup camera

Cruze Eco

The Eco is a high-mileage version of the Cruze whose modifications improve upon the car's already respectable fuel economy without adding as much cost as a hybrid system would. However, the Eco is based on a higher Cruze trim level and uses the turbo 1.4-liter engine, so it's nicer than a stripped-down version, but correspondingly not super cheap. The Cruze Eco gets an EPA-estimated 28/42 mpg city/highway when fitted with a six-speed manual transmission.

The Eco's efficiency provisions include different gearing, lightweight 17-inch alloy wheels with low-rolling-resistance tires and numerous aerodynamic treatments, including a lower grille with shutters that close at higher speeds. Back to top

Additional Reviews

Cars.com Expert Reviews

Cars.com StaffCars.com NationalJune 22, 2012

Affiliate Reviews

Carrie KimMother ProofJanuary 11, 2013

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