Cruze Sedan

Make
Chevrolet
Segment
Sedan

Here's the thing about the new 2017 Chevrolet Cruze sedan we didn't like: it's not the Cruze hatchback. As we've already discovered, the redesigned Cruze hatchback is a great compact car, offering enough cargo space that could even make you question the necessity of paying more for a crossover. The Cruze sedan is also a great compact, but after spending some time behind the wheel and exploring it inside and out, we found ourselves missing its five-door counterpart even more.

That's not to say the Cruze sedan isn't any good, but quite the opposite: we're more convinced than ever that it's not only a good compact sedan, but could wind up being the best rental car you'll ever, uh...rent. Power comes from a 1.4-liter turbo four with 153 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque, with that power going to the front wheels through a six-speed slushbox.

It's an OK engine, but what we're pretty stoked to try out is the new 1.6-liter turbo diesel that's due to arrive for 2018. And yes, it can be had with a six-speed manual. Good stuff. Back to our tester: Compared to its first generation predecessor, this Cruze is much more refined. It feels and looks way more premium inside and out. Overall build quality is leaps and bounds better, but we were surprised to find out the new car's interior is space is slightly smaller than before. Strange move on Chevy's part. In any case, the 2017 Chevrolet Cruze is a solid compact sedan you'll appreciate for what it is, and remember what it isn't when compared to the hatch. Special thanks to Woodland Motors for letting us film the car.