It’s more surprising good news for the 2017 Chevrolet Cruze. Following its shock naming as Consumer Reports‘ top compact car for 2017, the publication also noted something else.
Following its tests, CR managed to return 47 MPG on the highway,  a substantial increase over the EPA’s 40 MPG rating. Combined, the 2017 Cruze returned 30 MPG in both city and highway driving. The figure also puts it within arm’s reach of the 2017 Cruze diesel‘s 52 MPG highway rating.
The report states, “given the impressive figure, it might not be worth waiting for the diesel engine.” Though, we would say if you’re looking for oodles of torque, the diesel will certainly be worth the wait.
However, the substantial 52 MPG rating is only valid with a manual transmission. Cruze diesels equipped with an automatic transmission will only manage 47 MPG highway. Coincidentally, that’s identical to the gasoline-powered Cruze’s rating per CR. The Cruze diesel does manage to return 37 MPG city over the regular Cruze’s 34 MPG city rating, though.
The EPA estimates yearly fuel costs to be $1,050 for the Cruze diesel and $1,000 for the petrol-powered Cruze. When it comes to deciding which suits a driver best, it’s hard to go wrong when taking fuel economy into account.
Comments
Put in the Volt’s 5ET50 transaxle, the matching Volt’s 2.0 Liter engine, and add the small Malibu-sized battery in the trunk to produce the Hybrid Cruze!! It will sell very well as it can get better than 50 MPG in a lower cost vehicle. It may cut into Volt and Malibu sales, but that is what other manufacturers do, too. Offer a third GM hybrid and keep the money in the U.S.
If the diesel engine can outperform it’s EPA rating also, and the percentages are comparable to the gasoline engine, it would mean almost 59 mpg for the diesel. Diesel usually outperforms the EPA ratings more consistently than gasoline engines based on my own research of independent mileage tracking sites. It might be wishful thinking but I’m going to hold out to see how the diesel does in the real world.
You can bank on it! My 2014 Cruz diesel has seen 59.1 and was still rising when I had to get off the interstate, cruise control set at 70 . MY wife has one also and her best is 56 something, I love them with power to spare, tons of torque to enjoy driving.
I AM GLAD TO PAY ANY EXTRA FOR FUEL….POWER PLUS MPG.
Gasoline is cheaper than diesel fuel though. That’s something that needs to be figured in. Depends on how, where and how far you drive.
I believe that the author addressed your concern in the last paragraph of the article.
“Combined, the 2017 Cruze returned 30 MPG in both city and highway driving.”
Can someone explain? If you drove equal number of city (13 MPG) and highway (47 MPG) miles you would get 30 MPG. Since I know the Cruze gets a lot more (double?) in city than 13 MPG, how much of their driving was “city” vs “highway” — 90/10? 80/20? Is there some standard ratio?
Thank you.
Having owned several DIESELS, some GM, some VW, I am excited to own a CRUZE HATCHBACK DIESEL 6-SPEED MANUAL. I have consistently got 50+ MPG, and on occasion achieved 60 MPG, for full tanks of fuel. PLUS, you drive TORQUE, oh so well. I am hoping they are available to order soon. Anyone know when they will be in the showroom-???? THANKS, …. Gene
Guessing this fall
THANK YOU. APPRECIATE feedback.
Johnson Controls on Autoline After Hours said they’re developing a 48-volt mild hybrid module which can easily add increase mileage by 20-40 percent meaning a Chevy Cruze equipped with a 48-volt mild hybrid module could get possibly get 56.2 mpg and the best part being that such a system wouldn’t add significant cost or vehicle redesign.
Why the two white spots on tail lights??? Only one is lit when in reverse and turn signals are used in red braking area… No explanation to why there is need for 2 white spots and there is a bulb in there too. The hazard switch doesn’t activate them either.. any answers???