Even with relaxed fuel economy standards and cheap gas, fuel efficiency continue to be a major consideration for automakers. Diesel powerplants are good at stuff like that, and the 60-mpg Chevrolet Cruze diesel is a great example. Now, we’re taking a moment to remember this hugely efficient compact GM vehicle.
Following the introduction of the second-generation Chevrolet Cruze for the 2016 model year, the Cruze diesel was introduced for the following 2017 model year, and was offered until the Cruze’s discontinuation in 2019.
Under the hood, the Chevrolet Cruze diesel was equipped the turbocharged 1.6L inline four-cylinder LH7, which produced 137 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque. Critically, this powerplant also made the Cruze diesel the most fuel efficient non-hybrid GM vehicle ever produced for the mass market, if memory serves correct.
Manual-equipped Chevrolet Cruze diesel models were more efficient than the automatics, with the former equipping a six-speed stick, and the latter incorporating a nine-speed automatic. The sedan body style was also more efficient than the hatchback body style.
The most efficient configuration were offered with the 2017 and 2018 model years, with a sedan body style and manual transmission, both of which offered 30 mpg in the city, 37 mpg combined, and a whopping 52 mpg on the highway. Total range with a full tank of gas eclipsed 500 miles.
| Body Style | Transmission | City | Highway | Combined | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Chevrolet Cruze | Sedan | Automatic | 31 | 48 | 37 |
| 2019 Chevrolet Cruze | Hatchback | Automatic | 30 | 45 | 35 |
| 2018 Chevrolet Cruze | Sedan | Automatic | 31 | 47 | 37 |
| 2018 Chevrolet Cruze | Hatchback | Automatic | 30 | 45 | 35 |
| 2018 Chevrolet Cruze | Sedan | Manual | 30 | 52 | 37 |
| 2018 Chevrolet Cruze | Hatchback | Manual | 29 | 48 | 35 |
| 2017 Chevrolet Cruze | Sedan | Automatic | 31 | 47 | 37 |
| 2017 Chevrolet Cruze | Sedan | Manual | 30 | 52 | 37 |
To note, the five-door hatchback body style joined the Cruze diesel lineup for the 2018 model year. The six-speed manual transmission was discontinued after the 2018 model year.
| Model | Body Style | Transmission | 2017 MY | 2018 MY | 2019 MY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cruze Diesel | 4-Door Sedan | 6-speed manual | Offered | Offered | Not available |
| Cruze Diesel | 4-Door Sedan | 9-speed auto | Offered | Offered | Offered |
| Cruze Diesel | 5-Door Hatchback | 6-speed manual | Not available | Offered | Not available |
| Cruze Diesel | 5-Door Hatchback | 9-speed auto | Not available | Offered | Offered |
Regardless of the configuration, the Cruze diesel was very good at eating up the miles while sipping on fuel. One GM Authority reader reports that he managed to get 55 mpg while traveling down the highway at 68 mph. Consumer Reports even managed to get upwards of 60 mpg in a sedan model. Impressive!
Are you a fan of the Chevrolet Cruze diesel? Let us know your thoughts in the comments, and make sure to subscribe to GM Authority for more Chevrolet Cruze news, Chevrolet news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
The Chevrolet Cruze was truly revolutionary by getting extremely high mileage numbers; but the problem was that it was a car in a CUV world and simply couldn’t compete in sales as one wonders whether you could attach a Trailblazer body over a Cruze chassis to make everyone happy.
I have loved the Cruze since it was introduced. I have a 2017 that I’m hoping to trade on a 2019 this year. I wish I could afford to buy two and keep one in storage.
Every 3 years, I get a new work vehicle and my last two were Cruze RS models. 1.4L turbo, ~42 mpg and plenty of room for 4 adults. I still see at least 8-10 of these vehicles on the road every single day. GM, you killed a sedan that sold in huge numbers, was sporty and easy on gas.
I still shake my head in disbelief.
Why they stopped making this car l will not ever know. I was going to get one for my wife when I bread they were done making them. I really liked that car
Actually the Cruze did sell in large numbers they were in major decline. The last two years were 142,000 and 47,000the last full year. Just a few years earlier they sold almost 300,000 a year.
They did have a good car and were running the plant at 3 shifts and were skipping lunch to increase production. In the end the last couple years were down to one shift and they had cars sitting on lots with high discounts.
The Nox today is pretty much a Cruze CUV and is now selling in numbers that the Cruze once did.
GM invested much in the last gen Cruze and the decline in sales was just not expected. The decline was swift and harsh.
When I went in to look into getting a new work car, they tried getting me to bite on a Trax (a CUV on a Cruze chassis). I declined and stayed with the Cruze RS. Hey, if people enjoy this soccer mom CUV craze, good for them. Everyone is different. Personally, I look at Chevy’s CUV line-up and they all look alike, minus each one increasing in length by 1 1/2″. They are bland, boring and forgettable. It is why my wife drives a ’19 Terrain Denali instead of a Chevy. IMHO, they have character.
The same could be Said about the sedans. Not bad but bland. The Blazer was the first to stand out.
But looks are subjective. Som e love the Chevy look. But that is why our last 3 new vehicles were GMC.
GM is smart making totally different looks to capture both views.
GM had to change up their approach and make different styles for all of their brands. It just makes logical sense and gives GM fans more to choose from.
Remember the foolishness that went on prior to the bankruptcy? For example, GM was making the same exact car and putting a Chevy badge on one (Cobalt), a Pontiac badge on another (G5) and a Saturn badge on yet another (Ion). They were competing against themselves! Cuckoo! I get the cost-cutting factor, but whoever thought that making the same exact car/SUV (they did this with various models across the board) and simply sticking a different brand’s badge on the front was a good idea, needed to be put out to pasture…PERMANENTLY.
That is what happens when you try to sell ore brands than you can afford to develop properly.
GM is not the only one guilty of this. Ford Chrysler and others have done the same just not on as large scale.
Agreed. They have all done it. Ford/Mercury, Dodge/Plymouth/Chrysler, etc., etc., etc..
The Cruze and G5 were the same car but the Ion was much different with its own styling, plastic body panels, center mounted dash and quirky interior and even different wheels. It did share the Delta platform though.
Yes, the body was slightly different, but the platform remained.
The same can be said about the GMC Envoy, Chevy Trailblazer, Saab 9-7X, Buick Rainier, Olds Bravada, etc.. Sure, there were minor body tweaks here and there, but they were all the same platform with VERY similar styling. GM was again competing against themselves and not differentiating their brands.
It was a very expensive mistake.
Understandable they only sold 47k in the last year as production was winding down and most people aren’t fans of buying the last year of an every day car. But 142k in the prior year is still a respectable number. I got my daughter a 2013 Cruze and really like the car. I was ver disappointed to hear they discontinuing such a nice economical sedan. But more money to be made in the SUV world.
I believe it was Chevy’s 4th largest selling vehicle. I loved my loaded 2018 TD. IIRC,best I got was 54 MPG with cruise set at 70.
best tank 800 miles all hwy of course. 700 plus regularly. ordered sedan diesel 6sp. strong runner!
If the Chevy Cruze was a hybrid, it will get just as great MPG ratings and continue to be sold to this date. Hybrids are selling more now than before, as they are the alternative for those who still worry about “range anxiety” for an EV, and want to burn some gasoline. Ford is doing the right thing, offering six new hybrids next year.
The Fusion hybrid just sold like crazy.
As for hybrid sales they are better but yet only a very small part of the market. The truth is Hybrids are selling more as there are just more offered.
And this why I believe GM should have continued with the Voltec technology. Just like Toyota and the Prius, the Voltec technology could have been GM’s legacy in the green space.
If GM had advertized the diesel engine in the Cruze they would have sold more. They never EVER had one iota of advertising for it. How do you expect to sell a product if people don’t know what it is!
Great car loved it for long trips to Texas from Chicago, but once again did GM market it or even try to sell it. No they let it just sit there then claimed it was a poor seller and not profitable.
I went to the UK and was impressed at our rental car–some kind of diesel hatchback with a stick. It was engaging to drive, right-sized, sipped fuel, and felt peppy in daily driving. I went home looking for something similar.
Turns out Chevy is the only company that offered a diesel, manual, hatchback in the US. I picked one up new. It’s great! I don’t get 60mpg but I also go 80mph on the highway. With the Chevy performance springs it handles really shockingly well.
Odd thing is not a single one of my car nerd friends even knew it existed. That’s GMs failure.
Exactly, very few people even knew they exist even in the equinox or terrain. Sad but even some sale staff don’t know anything about what they are trying to sell other than it has 4 doors comes in silver and is an SUV.
I had to go pretty far to get one. But, I’m a car nerd and like to do these things.
I believe it’s the Opel “Whisperdiesel” that it uses…it’s so quiet, very smooth, and torquey as heck. People don’t even know it’s a diesel. I also love that I can run biodiesel, though I prefer Propel HPR+. My carbon footprint is lower than a Prius and the Cruze is a whole lot more fun to drive. It’s actually pretty entertaining on a windy road, just stick it in a gear higher than you’re used to, roll through the corner smoothly and blast out with 240ft-lbs lazily wafting you down to the next bend. It has a TON of grip (.91g).
Even the people I race with, who live and breathe cars, had no idea this thing existed. They should have branded it a Duramax, that would have been a fun marketing campaign. *Camera shows Silverado 3500* “Introducing the newest member of the Duramax family! No, down there…lower..there it is.”
Very true, the torque is intoxicating and is seemingly endless. The 2014-15 CTD 2.0 LUZ were even torquier than the 1.6 Whisperdiesel.
I have averaged 53.3 MPG on my 15 CTD. Often, I see 60+ MPG on highway. Except for the well known DEF tank heater issue, covered by an extended emissions warranty , I have had zero issues with the car. Zero. Even my battery is original. Sadly, like others have mentioned, Chevy hardly advertised the cars and they often languished on lots.
The Cruze was one of the best small cars GM made. Another of Mary Barry’s huge blunders was to discontinue its production.
While the market was a factor is declining sales, the biggest factor for its slide was caused by GM itself.
GM strategically decided to reduce small car sales to chase profits. GM overpriced the car with extra options, they refused to sell to rental sales (at times 20% of total sales), did little advertising or rebates for the Cruze, and they turned down an order to a Cleveland Ohio company that would have kept the Cruze alive for a year or two.
Unfortunately for GM as the economy slips a need for small cars will return.
Further proof the EPA is nuts with many of their EPA mileage ratings, especially on the highway numbers and that Barra fails once again by killing off a great car and a very efficient engine option! Her new cute utes called the Trailblazer and Encore GX are rated a full 8-10 MPG less on the highway numbers from the gas 4 cylinder 1.4 turbo engine and a whopping 18-22 MPG from the diesel option in the departed Cruze and that is with smaller 3 cylinder engines and CVT transmissions!
I own one of these, diesel manual in hatchback RS configuration. Fantastic car. They will make a comeback one day. Should never have been discontinued, were selling pretty well
Sadly, the Cruze nor a successor to it are coming back. Take it from a 2015 2.0 CTD owner. Great car; easy 55-60 MPG on highway at 70 MPH and quiet and smooth. GM really screwed up on canceling this car.
Bought a 2019 cruze hatch diesel RS last year. The engine is by far the best thing about the car. I’ve owned a few diesel cars in the past and it amazes me each time I drive it how well it runs. I wish it had a bit more power (say 160 maybe?) but the torque is really impressive. The on centre feel was odd and vague but after installing the GM lowering springs/sway bar kit the on centre feel is better. The RS should have come with this standard I think. Overall happy with it and I think it looks great. Eventually everyone will have their fill of half-baked CUV’s and the better handling, better looking more exciting to drive car will be back. I hope.
I bought a 2014 diesel cruze 3 years ago and have driven 65000 miles on it , only had a couple of sensors replaced , it consistently does over 300 miles on 1/2 a tank of fuel and with all that torque it feels like a v8 . My wife and I just love this little car , it does everything well.
I have a 2014 that I bought new and it has 145k on the clock… Love this car.. but not the DEF system!
I own a 14 cruze diesel and happen to work for a Chevrolet dealership. Everybody that rides in my Cruze is very surprised by the power and fuel economy. GM completely screwed the pooch by discontinuing the diesel line. If they(GM)could have pulled there heads out of there butts and realize that with VW’s dieselgate there was a huge pair of shoes to fill. But due to piss pore marketing, and not reaching out to the right age group (people under 50) GM lost an opportunity to make the little diesel engines really work.
Oh how I lucked out and found a used 2017, manual sedan. Love the car. Bought it with 39k certified.
52 mpg highway
The diesel Cruze was an experiment for GM engineers to show that with existing technology a car could outperform hybrids at their own game – super mileage. They used a diesel engine (called the whisper diesel) to show that the noise from diesel clatter had been overcome as well as why it is still the most efficient fossil fuel engine. They modified the body to cut wake drag (drag coefficient). They even used high mileage tires (noisy) to get every mile per gallon possible. They succeeded. But, if you purchase one, you need to learn to drive in a new way because you buy it for one reason – getting the best mileage possible. It is a superb driver with little vibrations since the engine needs minimal rpm at higher driving speeds.
I’ve had mine for three years. The secret to getting 65+ mpg is never going above 1600 rpm or about 60 mph. You can get mid 50’s with air conditioner at 70 mph on the highway. You can easily get mid 50’s just driving around town if you modify your driving to slowing for lights and no jackrabbit stops. The fact of the matter is you can putter around at 30 mph in 6th gear and get mileage in the 50’s. Again, you have to learn to drive in a way that is counter intuitive to the typical boy racer mode of driving.
It was an experiment. Dieselgate, the irrational love for SUV’s, and GM’s backing out of the sedan market to reduce the workforce and improve stockholder’s dividends killed it. It had an uphill battle anyway. But, they made it and it is a gem for those who like driving a well balanced car that is so fuel miserly.
I have a 2017 Cruze sedan. 1.6 diesel and 6 speed manual. I’m pissed if I don’t get at least 50 mpg on long trips doing 85 mph. It’s an awesome highway car and have taken it numerous times from Williston ND to Sacramento and back knowing I’m getting better fuel economy than everyone on the road!
Purchased a 2019 diesel sedan in November 2019, just as the 20% off MSRP “special” was offered. This particular car is loaded up with sunroof & Bose; $29K + list price. This car delivers a steady 44 mpg in real world driving, with 52.1 mpg being the best I’ve ever achieved. Awesome car! It does everything it’s supposed to do. Really hate that they’re gone forever.
I remember here at our local Chevy dealer the lot was full of them they were under a tent in the back and they were giving these things away they just wanted them gone. I really like that car I thought about it but I didn’t need another car but they were a nice car just like the volt
I have had a best of 64.4mpg out of my 2018 Cruze 6 speed manuel transmission and have taken it above and beyond by running it for 60 miles at 140mph for a wooping 54.2mpg. I belive once the warranty is up we may make it get better fuel milage by modding it. I belive Chevy is loosing out by not pressing this car better. I am definitely going to buy at least 2 more as used rigs just to play with them. Awesome car!!!
I have a 2018 manual sedan and love the car. Traded up from a 2004 Subaru WRX that was always a lot of fun but I find the Cruze a much better driver and better off the line due to the additional torque. I have 1968 Chevelle if I really want acceleration but its not a great daily driver (especially at 5 MPG). Really interesting to see the difference that 50 years of improvements make in the design and capability of current car designs. The Cruze is quieter, has more room, handles better and obviously gets much better milage, the only things the Chevelle has are the acceleration and the visceral feel of a car with very little sound deadening and a 500 hp small block. The Cruze has been averaging around 51 mpg in a mixture of stop and go driving and I have seen in the high 50’s out on the road.. It’s really too bad that Chevy killed the Cruze and the diesel. Chevy has a tendency to finally get a car sorted out just to kill but in this case the the car buying public wants CUV (wait until the next fuel crisis) and the diesel was really killed by the EPA due to the extra emission controls required to meet almost impossible requirements. I am going to continue to enjoy the Cruze for has long as I can.
I have to convey my respect for your kind-heartedness supporting individuals that really want guidance on the issue. Your real commitment to passing the message all over turned out to be wonderfully productive and has continuously encouraged employees much like me to realize their aims. The useful help and advice implies this much to me and even more to my peers. With thanks; from all of us.
So I’m late to this forum and post, but I own a 2014 Chevy Cruze diesel as my daily driver and have beaten the living heck out of it. They only real issues with it have been the emissions gear, primarily the DEF system. It currently has 302,000 miles. Yes, you read that right, it is three hundred and two thousand miles. If you could rip out the DEF system, it would easily last half a million miles. Even at my current mileage, I still get in the mid 40’s for highway MPG. I love this car.
I don’t have your mileage on my 2015 CTD, but I still get 55 mpg at 75 mph and the car runs smooth as butter on highway. It’s rare, but it’s great. Too sad that it’s gone now too. Chevy never properly marketed the car.
I was intending to buy one but GM killed it.
I ordered a new 2018 blue Cruze diesel manual. Issues I have had- several bouts with the dealership while under warranty regarding the DEF level sensor finally they replaced the whole tank and good ever since. Next I was on a trip to Ohio and the clutch pedal went to the floor. Turned out to be a faulty slave cylinder which required to separate the transmission to replace. Other than that I thoroughly enjoy the car. It drives like a go cart and gets awesome mileage. Hyper-miling gets 65+ mpg in between particulate cycles. Bought it figuring it would be one of the last manuals I could buy to teach my kids to drive on. My daughter turns 16 next year but I am not sure I am ready to give up “Blue Lightning” yet! We live out in the middle of nowhere and I love the convenience of being able to drive hundreds of miles at the drop of a hat. Do not buy a diesel thinking you are going to save money. Buy a diesel for the luxury of not filling up your tank but every two weeks.
This article is not quite accurate. The author, evidently a GM authority, claims that the diesel engine was introduced beginning in 2016, and was available through 2019. While he was correct regarding the last year of availiability, the diesel engine was actually first available in the Cruze in 2014. I know this for a fact because I own one. It has a 2.0 liter Italian diesel engine, which was built with German engineering. Fuel economy is amazing.