2019 Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback Review

Chevrolet's Cruze continues its path to success with 2019 bringing updated styling and the efficiency of diesel. The second-generation Cruze draws power from either a 1.4-liter turbocharged Ecotec four-cylinder producing 153 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque, or its sought after 1.6-liter turbodiesel counterpart, which lets 137 horses and 240 lb-ft put the Cruze in motion. It takes a lot for a car to stand out in the competitive hatchback segment, especially with the likes of the class-leading Honda Civic and Toyota's reliable Corolla hatch nipping at its heels, but Chevy means business, and the Cruze is a formidable contender intent on leading the pack.

What's the Price of the 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback?

The 2019 Chevrolet Cruze LS trim kicks off the range with an MSRP of $19,620, excluding tax, licensing, registration, and an $875 destination charge. Acting as the mid-range for the lineup, the LT trim offers a substantially better-equipped car as standard at $22,120, $2,500 more than its base-trim counterpart. At the top of the gas-driven range is the Premier model carrying an MSRP of $24,020, while the diesel model receives the highest price tag at $26,120. Chevrolet offers incentives on a regular basis, meaning buyers can pick up a higher trim-level for the recommended price of a lesser one.

Handling and Driving Impressions

The 2019 Chevrolet Cruze has an attractive exterior and interior design, but that's not all it has going for it. This is a rewarding car to drive too, despite its humble purpose. Steering feedback from the front wheels can feel somewhat muted, however, and could take a few cues from its Spark and Sonic brothers which offer a more direct connection to the road. The suspension offers good bump absorption, without rendering the ride wallowy at all. Being the urban crawler that it is, bumps, potholes and even the most neglected of city roads become bearable at their worst and the ride feels silky-smooth when the tarmac is uncompromised.

The Cruze doesn't offer any options in terms of driving modes. Transmission overdrive is available to lend an extra hand should the need arise, but we found it perfectly adequate as is. There's very little body roll to be found when tasked with a corner slightly faster than intended and overall the Cruze carries a predictable driving dynamic that certainly won't leave anyone feeling disappointed.

Verdict: Is the 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback A Good car?

The 2019 Chevrolet Cruze hatchback is a fantastic car, with its premium-feel interior, turbocharged motors, and exceptional fuel economy making the compact hatch a compelling argument against its rivals. With an extensive list of features, even at a base level, buyers would be hard-pressed to want more from this versatile hatchback. Practicality is also one of its many benefits, and if the rest of the Cruze makes a strong enough argument to overlook the high upfront cost of that diesel motor, the frugal gas mileage and responsive motor adds a great deal more to the ownership experience. The 2019 model year refresh means more contemporary styling, technology, and available features that set it apart from last year's iteration, leaving the fresh-faced Chevy an ideal companion if you're in the market for a new hatch. With only a single recall under its belt and Chevy's warranty covering the rest, there's little reason not to consider the Cruze a smart buy.

What Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback Model Should I Buy?

The LT adds a substantial list of features over its base model LS at only $2,500 more, as well as opening it up to the Convenience, Driver Confidence, RS, and Sun and Sound Packages for extra added features. The $22,995 LT trim with the $1,200 Convenience Package would be our recommendation for the gas-driven models, adding both driver comforts and safety features in equal measure while still being cheaper than its Premier counterpart. If fuel economy is the order of the day, the range-topping diesel model is an excellent buy, packed with a torquey diesel engine and an abundance of standard features.

2019 Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback Comparisons

2019 Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback vs Honda Civic Hatchback

If you want to be the best, you need to beat the best. Unfortunately for Chevrolet, they haven't quite beaten the Civic just yet, but the battle is closer than ever. Both are stylish, well-equipped, safe, and fun to drive, but the Civic is more of a driver's car, with a manual gearbox and a more entertaining chassis. It's also substantially more frugal. The Honda offers more driver assistance features on lower-level trims, but the Cruze counters with a full ten airbags. The two are evenly matched on interior volume as well as cargo volume, and both feel premium in their build and choice of materials. The Cruze boasts a vastly superior infotainment system, but the Civic feels more premium everywhere else. The Civic isn't vastly better than the Cruze in any one particular aspect, but the marginal superiority in many aspects adds up, and it's still the segment leader and our recommended choice.

2019 Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback vs Toyota Corolla Hatchback

Both the Cruze and Corolla have ardent advocates for each brand, with the Corolla namesake spanning decades and the Cruze being the relatively new contender fighting for a place in the heart of every American. The all-new Corolla finally takes the style battle to Chevrolet, but in doing so compromises its cargo space, with 4.7 cubic feet less than the Cruze. Rear passenger volume isn't all too good either. There's more power on tap from the Corolla, but the turbocharged offerings from the Chevrolet contender are easier to use in real-world situations. They are, unfortunately, thirstier than the Corolla. Almost no one can touch Chevrolet when it comes to quality infotainment, offering more features and an easier to use interface. Combine this with more space, high-quality materials, and high levels of safety, and it beats the all-new, all-improved Toyota as our pick.