Like the Chevy Malibu, the Chevy Cruze is the right product at the wrong time: thanks to the ongoing shift in consumer vehicle buying dynamics that favors crossovers over sedans, sales of the compact passenger car family fell 16.7 percent to 188,876 units in 2016 (yet are up 46 percent in the first four months of 2017). Regardless, Chevy is giving its compact sedan and hatch a handful of small updates for the 2018 model year.
The 2018 Cruze will do away with the Orange Burst Metallic exterior color (pictured)
First, the 2018 Cruze loses two exterior colors while gaining one new one:
Deleted Colors
- Orange Burst Metallic
- Tungsten Metallic
New Color
- Satin Steel Gray Metallic
Arguably the biggest change is the addition of two Cruze hatchback trim levels containing the 1.6L LH7 diesel engine — the LT Diesel Manual Hatch (model 1SG) and LT Diesel Automatic Hatch (model 1SH). The 1.6L LH7 is mated to either a six-speed manual or nine-speed automatic transmission. Regardless of transmission, the oil burner makes 137 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque, delivering 52 MPG highway.
Finally, the trial period of the OnStar Guidance Plan changes to Guidance Plan Limited Trial Service. From what we can tell, this is simply a change in name and does not impact the features or functionality of the three-month trial period.
The 2018 Cruze Sedan will continue being built at the GM Lordstown plant (which is being idled for two weeks in July and is due for layoffs) while the 2018 Cruze Hatch will remain at the GM Ramos Arizpe plant in Mexico. Look for it to begin arriving on dealer lots in the third quarter of 2017.
The updates and changes described here are specific to the U.S. market and may be different for other markets.
More Information & Reporting
- 2018 Chevrolet Cruze info
- 2018 Chevrolet Cruze changes, updates, new features
- 2018 Chevrolet Cruze order guide
- 2018 Chevrolet Cruze Redline info
- Chevrolet Cruze sales numbers
Comments
Car and Driver recently tested the 2017 Chevrolet Cruze and they said the new 1.6L DOHC-4V 4-cyl turbo-diesel engine was an ‘impressive engineering achievement’ especially as Car and Driver observed mileage of 52 mpg while cruising at 75-mph on the highway meaning driving more conservatively should generate superior numbers as this should give the Cruze Diesel the best non-hybrid mileage title.
NO MORE Orange Burst Metallic? I’M SAD 🙁
Yeah, I was really hoping they would add the Kalahari Leather to the Orange….not get rid of the orange.
There should be more colors, not less — especially since optional colors are often extra charge and generate substantial revenues over their costs
SS Hatch with LTG, upgraded suspension and brakes. PLEASE!
An SS sedan would fit just fine as well. ~275-300hp, options like Brembo brakes on all 4 corners, Recaro buckets, auto trans with paddle shifters, warrantied stage upgrades from your dealer, etc.. Such a shame. I’m GM through and through. I lease Cruze’s as my work vehicle every 3 years. I’ve had two RS models and I’ve loved them, but we need a Subaru STI, Ford ST/RS fighter. One can dream…
I share that dream too
Escala Sedan Looks Great! Hope it also has a large trunk like 23.3 cubic feet. Any Full sized Luxury Sport Coupes in the works? The best car I ever owned was a used 2003 Chevy Montecarlo SS. Wide Stance Ride, Interior Room, Seats, Dash, Instrument locations and designs. Plus English words marking controls and indicators, more physical buttons and less menu driven controls (enables driver focus on the road) Longer Trunk lids enabling to fit larger items in the trunk. Chevy 2003 Montecarlo SS great great chevy !!
Damn these people are pathetic. They got rid of one of the best colors, the orange burst metallic.
Utterly typical. The things that need changing are ignored. Where is the defeat switch for the stop/start? Where is the performance variant? Where is the value edition like Hyundai and Honda offer with added features like a leather wheel, heated seats, moonroof and fog lamps for a reasonable price on the mid trim level? Where is an optional engine choice? The 1.5T should be an option or included with the RS package and the 2.0T with either the 9 speed auto or stick should be offered on a Sport hatch or sedan. GM must be content with being just average.
Escala Sedan Looks Great! Hope it also has a large trunk like 23.3 cubic feet. Any Full sized Luxury Sport Coupes in the works? The best car I ever owned was a used 2003 Chevy Montecarlo SS. Wide Stance Ride, Interior Room, Seats, Dash, Instrument locations and designs. Plus English words marking controls and indicators, more physical buttons and less menu driven controls (enables driver focus on the road) Longer Trunk lids enabling to fit larger items in the trunk. Chevy 2003 Montecarlo SS great great chevy !! I hope intermition is really over.