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2019 Chevrolet Cruze: Hot Or Not?

Chevrolet will have a revamped passenger car lineup this fall, which includes new looks for the 2019 Chevy Cruze.

The 2019 Cruze debuted alongside the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu and 2019 Chevrolet Spark, and we want to know if you think the updated look is hot or not.

The most immediate changes are at the front, which includes a much larger grille. The lack or edgier angles gives way to more fluid shapes, and we happen to think the wider grille is a much-needed improvement.

2019 Chevrolet Cruze front and rear

The outgoing Cruze’s front fascia always seemed a tad “me too” in shape and design to various imported rivals. The design changes in the 2019 Cruze aren’t major, but they do help give the car more of its own identity, especially with the RS model and hatchback.

2017 Chevrolet Cruze media drive exterior 025

At the rear, new taillights replace the current units with an updated take on Chevrolet’s dual-element design.

Perhaps the new look will help bring more buyers back to the Cruze nameplate. Chevrolet announced last week that it planned to cut the Lordstown, Ohio, plant’s second shift, taking up to 1,500 jobs with it. Lordstown solely builds the Cruze sedan.

What do you think? Is the new look a winner? Or, do you prefer the old design? Let us know in our poll and comment section.

Former GM Authority staff writer.

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Comments

  1. This update is a mixed bag. I do like the new front end. However, they didn’t update the rear, so the rear styling on the RS model doesn’t match the front at all anymore. The previous model had the “hockey stick” shapes at all four corners in the fascia. Why does GM do things so half-hearted?? The rear half of the sedan needed the most work and is unchanged except slightly revised tail lamps. Zzzzzz. And no interior updates.

    Then de-contenting. The current Premier trim has full chrome side window surrounds and chrome-trimmed door handles. Now both are gone.

    I did see that LT models with the RS package finally get 17″ wheels. Thank god. The dinky 16″ wheels with that unsightly flange and tacked-on weight balance looked horrendous.

    Reply
    1. you are right.
      it was the rear fascia style wise that needed the most work.
      totally agree

      At this years auto show I was inside the Cruze Premier and I found it very nice.

      Reply
    2. If I’m not mistaken, the black surrounds are part of the package with the black emblem etc. You can still get chrome sides without the package (just something I read online, could be wrong).

      But I completely agree with you on the front not matching the back now. I don’t know why, but GM never gets mid cycle refreshes right (in my opinion). Sometimes the front and rear look good but don’t match the side profile any longer, or the front end is just a mess like the 15′ Cruze with LED running lights (RS was a bit better).

      So much potential with small cars, especially in Canada, but GM always half asses their offering and buyers go elsewhere. i drive a 2012 Cruze with RS package but the competition offers so much more with their offerings that I’m jumping ship when it comes time to replace.

      Reply
      1. The black side window surrounds and body color door handles are now part of the RS package. All Premier models, RS or not, previously had full chrome side window trim and chrome trimmed door handles. Now non-RS Premier models have partial chrome window trim and no chrome door handle trim just like LT models. GM always has to find a way to delete stuff for anything new that they do.

        Reply
        1. Ah, I see. Too bad they couldn’t put some of that cost savings into proper HID or LED headlights for once.

          Reply
  2. Need another option:

    Improved, but still inferior to the first-gen Cruze

    Reply
  3. I like the previous styling better. The 2019 looks more like a Toyota and I absolutely dislike the looks of the Camry. Add in the fact that they dropped the manual (no loss with the gasoline engine but a major hit to the diesel) and this car has taken a step backwards.

    Reply
  4. Forget the looks – how about a better engine. This car is carrying the load for GM economy cars and it has one puny engine?

    Reply
    1. And a diesel, but hey lets not let any facts get in the way of this pitty pouty party……..

      Reply
  5. The refreshed 2019 Chevy Cruze looks if it was penned by the same designer as the refreshed 2019 Chevy Camaro; but what’s really missing is an engine that will give the Cruze some grunt to go with it’s sporty looks unfortunately General Motors is only willing to give engine money to Cadillac who got money to develop a new LTA V8 and LSY 4-cyl turbo while everyone else got nothing.

    Reply
  6. When GM was in Australia they had a 1.6 liter turbo, which I believe was putting out 165 hp. Here is the States, Buick has a 153 hp 1.4 liter turbo that is offered in some of the Encore packages. They need to do better if they want to stay relevant for potential buyers.

    Reply
  7. Due to the relaxing EPA administration rules a 2.2 L normal aspirated engine would be a better option . The engine will not work as hard and be quieter . Also , the windshield is slanted too much . When GM redesigned the Cruze several yrs ago , the roof was dropped an inch which meant the seats were also dropped an inch . People are sick and tired of sitting down into a vehicle and then trying to get up and out . This is a major reason CUVs are so popular , you just slide in and out , no problem .
    Bring the windshield more vertical two inches , the roof comes up 2 inches and the seats come up two inches and everyone is a WINNER ! Except the designers who live or die on trendy me too aspirations !

    Reply

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