The Chevy Cruze was the second-best selling car in the U.S. in June 2013, just behind the Toyota Camry and up 73 percent versus the previous June. Something about this little car is suddenly resonating with consumers since its arrival as a 2010 model across the globe.

The 2014 Cruze is largely carryover aside from a new turbo-diesel engine option that can deliver huge fuel economy for only about $1,500 extra. And this isn't your d9iesel engine from the 1990s, as this economical four-pot sprints nearly as well as the gasoline-powered models.

The rest of the line is still going strong with Eco trim levels for the 1.4-liter turbo and an RS package available on top LT and LTZ models that includes special wheels, badging, bumpers, a spoiler and sill extensions.

What buyers are discovering is an affordable four-door car with mechanical refinement the previous Cobalt and Cavalier couldn’t achieve even when turned off and in park. This latest Chevrolet->ke199 compact sedan is highly dependent on specification and is pretty grim inside on the cheapest $18,000 models but very respectable in LT auto trim from about $20,500.

These better-equipped Cruzes come with a deep features and tech list that includes a Pioneer audio upgrade, MyLink with backup camera and navigation and even enhanced active safety pack that includes rear parking sensors, cross-traffic alerts and blind-spot assist.

All this in a cheap and reliable car is a strong incentive when many buyers are spending serious money to keep their older cars on the road with costly repairs. The Cruze presents a reliable package, but is that enough to fend off the Honda Civic, Ford Focus and Toyota Corolla? How about the VW Jetta TDI?

Click past the jump for the full review of the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze lineup with highlights on desirable options and tech info on the new diesel engine.

2014 Chevrolet Cruze

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2014 Chevrolet Cruze
  • Engine/Motor: inline-4
  • Horsepower: 138 @ 6300
  • Torque: 125 @ 3800
  • Transmission: 6-speed Manual, 6-speed Auto Opt.
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

The Cruze is still looking good nearly 3 years after its launch, a testament to the original car’s excellent proportions and lasting design quality. It does all this without any giant wheel and tire package or flashy LED lights – just a humble sedan that looks modern and has some tasteful paint colors to bring out its lines.

Up front, the Cruze sticks with the full-frame bowtie grille with a black honeycomb mesh that also appears in the lower bumper. The grille’s appearance is not as striking at the new Impala but it has road presence and blends nicely with the carved headlamp shapes.

These lights are basic halogen reflectors but have a noticeable top graphic that arcs along the fender near the corners of the vehicle. This fender-line then continues rearward and defines the lower window line and the trunk height out back. Another diving swage line runs down the shoulder-line of the Cruze and helps bring some sportiness to the conventional shape.

In profile, the Cruze looks really good with no tacky add-on styling elements, like body-side ribbing to disturb the smooth metal flow. The Cruze’s biggest design fault is the blanked-off rear quarter-window that is a pointless styling touch. The Cruze would look better with a painted C-pillar, but it is still a cute little car nonetheless.

Out back, the oversized taillights have four circular lamps for the internal optics but does not offer LED bulbs anywhere except the high-mounted brake light. The rear three-quarter angle is one of the Cruze’s best – its body smoothly frames the pert trunk overhang and rear wheelhouse. The suspension is totally covered by the body, in contrast to generations of previous small Chevy->ke199’s where the rear axle was visible from behind.

The RS option pack looks nice and brings a fancier front bumper with chrome-trimmed fog lamps. The side sills and a few new paint colors, like Red Hot in these pictures, bring the Cruze up to date versus its most of its rivals. The Kia Forte offers LEDs up front and in back but overall is not as handsome a sedan as the Chevrolet.

2014 Chevrolet Cruze – Exterior Dimensions:

Wheelbase (in.)

105.7

Length (in.)

181

Width (in.)

70.7

Height (in.)

58.1

Track - Front (in.)

60.7

Track - Rear (in.)

61.3

Weight (Pounds) 1.8-liter

3,082

Weight (Pounds) 1.4-liter Turbo

3,150

Weight (Pounds) 1.4-liter Turbo Eco

3,011 Man., 3,102 Auto

Weight (Pounds) 2.0-liter Clean Diesel

3,475

Drag Coefficient

0.30


2014 Chevrolet Cruze – Exterior Features:

- Wheels, 16-inch 5-spoke machined-face alloy

- Tires, P215/60R16, all-season, low rolling resistance

- Tire, compact spare and spare wheel, includes jack and lug nut wrench

- Headlamps, halogen composite with automatic exterior lamp control and delay feature; Lamp, LED center high-mounted stop/brake (CHMSL)

- Exterior mirrors power-adjustable, manual-folding (Deleted when 1LT Driver Convenience Package is ordered. Mirror caps are body-color.)

- Glass, solar absorbing, tinted

- Wipers, front intermittent, variable

2014 Chevrolet Cruze – Exterior Options:

- 17-inch wheels

- 18-inch wheels

- RS Package: Includes Unique front and rear fascias, Lower body moldings, Rear spoiler; On LT models, also includes fog lamps and uplevel instrument cluster with chrome trim rings; this content is already standard on all LTZ models ($650)

- chrome appearance package ($255)

- Rear spoiler (Dealer-installed $410)

- Z-spec grille (Dealer-installed $330)

Interior

The interior of the Cruze is another area that helps the car stand out versus some of the competition. Overall, satisfaction with the Cruze’s interior quality and features will go up dramatically as buyers climb the price list from LS to LT and LTZ trims. The LT and LTZ pack better sound deadening and numerous small features, like an auto-dimming mirror that is not available on the entry-level LS trim.

While everything is optional, there is logic in the pricing and it makes sense. The automatic will be the biggest stand-alone option that most LS and LT buyers will need: it costs about $1,000 and is standard on the LTZ and Clean Diesel.

The individual options such as the enhanced safety pack, tech pack with MyLink and MyLink Nav upgrade are all priced very reasonably. The tech pack is mandatory for most young drivers and offers excellent smartphone integration for audio and voice Bluetooth functionality. A backup camera also joins the MyLink fun fest.

The All-Star package bundles the upgraded Pioneer stereo system with a power moonroof for $1,400 extra. The Cruze diesel comes in just one trim level that roughly matches up with the LTZ models from the top of the range.

2014 Chevrolet Cruze – Interior Dimensions:

Front Seating Capacity

2

Rear Seating Capacity

3

Headroom - Front (in.)

39.3

Headroom - Rear (in.)

37.9

Legroom - Front (in.)

42.3

Legroom - Rear (in.)

35.4

Shoulder Room - Front (in.)

54.7

Shoulder Room - Rear (in.)

53.9

Hip Room - Front (in.)

53

Hip Room - Rear (in.)

52.4

EPA Cargo Volume (cubic-feet)

15.0 (13.3 Diesel)


2014 Chevrolet Cruze – Interior Options:

- 1LT Driver Convenience Package: 6-way power-adjustable driver's seat with manual recliner; Illuminated vanity mirrors for both driver and front seat passenger; Auto-dimming inside rearview mirror to reduce nighttime glare; Heated, power-adjustable outside mirrors to melt away fog and frost; On the 1LT with an available automatic transmission, this package also includes the remote vehicle starter system. ($570)

- Tech package: Chevrolet MyLink Radio with backup camera and Bluetooth wireless streaming audio ($550)

- Chevrolet MyLink Radio with Navigation ($795)

- Pioneer premium 9-speaker system ($445)

- All-Star package: Pioneer premium nine-speaker system and Power sunroof ($1,345)

Drivetrain, Suspension and Brakes

The Cruze is pretty peppy even with its base 1.8-liter engine and can reach 60 mph in 9.3 seconds. It’s not a potent unit but does have 138 horsepower and 125 pound-feet of torque – matching its main competitors for power and beating them on sprints.

The mid-spec turbo engine is the most popular. This 1.4-liter unit also makes 138 horsepower but gets there about 2,000 rpm sooner. The turbo four makes 148 pound-feet of torque and is noticeably more rapid than the 1.8 for a 7.8-second 0-to-60 mph sprint.

The Eco runs the 1.4-liter turbo through a manual or auto box. It weighs less than its siblings by about 100 pounds for the auto and 200 pounds for the manual. This weight saving comes mainly from less insulation and the manual Eco model’s smaller gas tank. The Eco manual is the only car that can hit 42 mpg on the highway and has a 13-gallon gas tank. The automatic Eco keeps the same 15-gallon tank as other Cruzes but can only achieve 39 highway mpg.

The newest Clean Diesel engine produces a massive wallop of torque right above idle for an 8.2 second 60 mph sprint. The Cruze Clean Diesel’s 2.0-liter turbocharged engine produces 151 horsepower and up to 280 pound-feet of torque with the brief overboost function in the engine programming.

The biggest handling change comes from the Cruze diesel’s 300-pound weight gain over the other engines. It also has a slightly smaller trunk versus the gasoline sedans.

Base LS Chevy->ke199 Cruze sedans come with a torsion-bar rear suspension that is far less capable than the Z-link independent rear suspension on the LT models and above. The base car feels less confident in corners and can bring some big bump impacts into the cabin – over the same bumps that would only lightly disturb the independent suspension.

2014 Chevrolet Cruze – Mechanical Specifications:

Engine Size and Type

1.8-liter 16-valve I-4 With DOHC And CVVT

1.4-liter Turbocharged 16-valve I-4 With DOHC And CVVT

2.0-liter Turbocharged 16-valve Diesel I-4 With DOHC

Peak power (Horsepower)

138 @ 6300

138 @ 4900

151 @ 4000

Peak torque (Pound-feet)

125 @ 3800

148 @ 1850

280 @ 2600

Transmission

6-Speed Manual (6-Speed Auto Opt.)

6-Speed Manual (6-Speed Auto Opt.)

6-Speed Auto

0-to-60 mph

9.3 seconds, est

7.8 seconds

8.2 seconds

Top Speed

108 mph, est

108 mph, est

108 mph, est

Fuel Economy Estimates (City/Combined/Highway)

25/NA/36 Man., 22/NA/35 Auto

26/NA/38 Auto LT and LTZ, 28/NA/42 Man. Eco, 26/NA/39 Auto Eco

27/NA/46


Safety

The Cruze comes with 10 standard airbags and a Top Safety Pick rating by IIHS across all categories. The car performs very well in crash tests and is now equipped with a new smart airbag design with new vents to lessen impact forces in a crash.

The Cruze is alone in its segment by including rear side airbags that are optional even on some pricey Audi models. These bags supplement the full-length curtain airbag that protects both rows of passengers in a side crash.

2014 Chevrolet Cruze - Safety Features:

- Optional Enhanced Safety Package: Rear Park Assist, which signals your proximity to objects behind your back bumper; Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, which lets you know when hazards enter your path of travel as you back up; Side Blind Zone Alert signals the presence of vehicles entering your blind spot on either side ($790)

- Ten standard air bags include side curtain air bags, which provide head protection for outboard passengers in the event of a side-impact or rollover crash; Rollover sensor: designed to deploy the side curtain airbags in the event of an impending rollover

- Driver and front passenger knee airbags: separate airbags in the lower instrument panel designed to minimize knee injuries in frontal crashes

- Rear Vision Camera display integrated into Chevrolet MyLink radio

- StabiliTrak electronic stability control system helps reduce the risk of rollover crashes by keeping the vehicle in the driver’s intended path by applying throttle, braking or a combination of both

- Power-assisted front and rear disc brakes are standard

- Four-channel anti-lock braking is standard and incorporates electronic brake force distribution, which balances braking performance based on such factors as road conditions and the weight of passengers and/or cargo

- Pre-tensioners minimize forward movement during a collision, and are standard on the front safety belts. Load-limiting retractors cinch the belt more tightly

- LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) child seat attachment system, which is included in all second-row seating positions; emergency trunk release handle

- Tire pressure monitoring system on all models

Pricing

The Cruze is priced from just $18,000 before options and higher trim levels. The base car is not worth considering unless price is the only concern. There is much more value in the better-equipped LT and especially LTZ trim.

Features like MyLink touchscreen audio and MyLink with navigation are worthwhile options that will make the car much more comfortable and capable during years of ownership.

2014 Chevrolet Cruze – Trim Name

2013 MSRP

LS Manual

$17,995

LS Automatic

$19,180

1LT Manual

$19,540

1LT Automatic

$20,635

ECO Manual

$20,660

ECO Automatic

$21,855

2LT Manual

$22,020

2LT Automatic

$23,305

LTZ Automatic

$24,530

Diesel Automatic

$25,710


Competition

The Cruze competes most directly with the segment-leading Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic and Ford Focus.

Toyota Corolla

The Corolla is new for 2014 with a longer wheelbase to go along with dramatically improved exterior style and interior tech. The Corolla now offers a six-speed auto but still lumbers along with the same gasoline engines. It performs near the back of the pack for efficiency but is now more liveable, thanks to new LED headlights and an Entune touchscreen radio that is optional.

Volkswagen Jetta TDI

The Jetta TDI is the only other value-priced diesel sedan available in the United States. It comes in at $24,000 for the base TDI with an automatic transmission but almost nothing else. The Jetta's diesel is also frugal and beats the automatic-equipped Cruze Clean Diesel's 39 highway mpg by an extra 3 miles. It is slower at 8.7 seconds to 60 mph and has 40 fewer horsepower in a heavier (but more roomy) sedan shape.

Conclusion

The Cruze is a small sedan that delivers excellent real-world mileage without the added complexity and expense of a hybrid system. The June 2013 demand spike certainly indicates there was a large unmet market of buyers looking for a simple and cheap high-mileage vehicle. Despite the Cruze Clean Diesel offering great efficiency and emissions stats, there is much more room for development with this engine.

All the engines have some value-oriented components like electronic fuel injection versus direct injection. The diesel is potent but can be noisy on cold startups and lacks variable valve timing altogether.

Part of the diesel’s weight gain goes to extra sound deadening that does an admirable job of keeping things quiet inside. The additions would be more than welcome inside the boomy Eco model.

Overall, the Cruze is a solid little car with a rigid structure for good handling, good performance and generally excellent efficiency stats. It is honest about what it offers and is a welcome breath of fresh air for a segment Chevy->ke199 previously starved of design and engineering investment.

For first-time diesel shoppers, the instant torque and real six-speed automatic box will be a revelation. The relaxed driving style of the diesel is like a luxury car versus the Asian competition's gutless, high-revving four-bangers with droning CVT transmissions.

Category

Rating

Details

Driving

B

Perky Handling But Still Econo Levels of NVH Refinement

Performance

B

Not Too Slow In 1.4 Turbo Or Clean Diesel Trims

Look

C+

Elegant Overall Styling Could Uses Some LED Enhancements Front And Rear

Value

B+

Mid-Range LT Cars Are Best Value With Good Tech But Cloth Seats

Overall

B

Buyers Rejoice As Little Car Gets Big Diesel Power