The 2017 Chevy Cruze is a top choice among used cars, achieving top marks along with the Buick Envision and in the latest Consumer Reports “Top Used Car Picks” report, a top-ten list looking at the best pre-owned passenger vehicles across multiple categories.
The CR report that chose the Chevy Cruze as one of the top 10 used cars is designed to complement the organization’s Top 10 Picks for new cars, but in this case focuses on “rigorous” selection of the best pre-owned vehicles.
The Chevy Cruze appears on the list as the best car under $10,000, with used prices for the second-gen sedan ranging from $7,300 to $9,700. Top characteristics include good interior space – especially in the rear seat area – and a comfortable ride. Other pluses for the model include a fairly quiet cabin, high fuel mileage for the diesel version, and convenient controls.
On the downside, the Chevy Cruze was dinged for lackluster handling, insufficient front seat support, and limiting of advanced safety tech to the range-topping trim level, with no automatic emergency braking. Reliability is given a score of 66 out of 100, with the 2017 model year as more reliable than the 2016 sedan. Some convenience features may also be included depending on configuration.
The Chevy Cruze won a spot on the list because it matches up well to CR‘s central idea for the study, described by auto testing manager Alex Knizek, that used car buyers “shouldn’t have to sacrifice safety, reliability, or fuel economy to stay within their budget.”
Knizek also noted that “more and more people are naturally looking to pre-owned market in search of a better bargain” because of very high used car prices. The vehicles were selected by first looking at the positive traits of a vehicle generation as a whole, then choosing the newest used car from that generation that still met the target maximum budget.
Newer Chevy Cruze units after the 2017 model year likely include more features and lower mileage, but don’t meet the chosen $10,000 threshold of their category in many cases.
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Comments
Figures. I almost bought a loaded ’17 sedan but at the last minute saw a steal of a deal on a new ’17 Ford Fusion. The Cruze had had iffy reliability at that point and the Fusion’s was much better. Now I’m stuck with an engine that might fail and the Cruze is recommended. I can’t win. If I’d bought the Cruze, that would be catching fire, or something.
Awe, poor sad beachbum. Maybe complain some more.
Cruze engines are know for grenading a lot more frequently than Fusion engines, so get back out on the beach and fry your brain some more.
The Fusion is also larger. Since its competitor was the Focus, the Cruze would have been a better choice, too.
Loved my 2018 Cruze Hatch with manual. Very difficult manual to drive smoothly, but loved the challenge and the low end torque from the turbo engine. 6th gear is so tall it is for highway only. Got job with company car so I only had it for about 2 years.
Worked at a tire shop and saw a 2018 Cruze come in for a blown head gasket. Turned out it was also externally leaking from the cylinder head by one of the exhaust ports. The 1.4 Turbo is an engine I’ll never own due to the laundry list of expensive issues they can have. (turbo, oil cooler, transmission, camshaft failures just to name a few)
This. Having a friend who owns a shop (and is a die hard GM guy) he encouraged me to buy a manual Focus over a Cruze for that reason. He said he constantly has them in needing major engine work at relatively low mileage (often just out of warranty).
This little study obviously paid very little attention to reliability.
I’ve always had a problem with Consumer Reports.
Terrific cars. Smooth running powertrain, affordable, stylish (subjective), and great space. Absolutely love my 2018 Cruze Redline Hatchback.
Glad the article stipulated the 2017 modem year, which I believe came with the LE2 engine, which was a much better powerplant than the earlier LUV.
My wife has the LUV in her 2014 Encore (shared by Cruzes of that era) and it’s a POS. Eats valve covers constantly, is basically GUARANTEED to grenade the intake manifold at some point, and likes to spring oil pan and PCV leaks, amongst other things.
LE2 was much improved.
I had a ’13 Cruze RS as a DD and still have my ’17 Cruze RS as a DD (bought new and currently has 52,000 miles on the clock). Both cars are very economical, sporty, reliable and fun to drive. This is coming from a guy with Corvettes in his garage.
Seen a good number of Cruze pushing 200K miles. Rust is more a problem as they age.
GM has been the go to in used cars for years for affordable cheap to repair cars. Here in the Midwest the high school lots were always full of Cavaliers and Berettas . The first gen Cruze was the best and the later one while not bad was just a bit more complicated due to the need for more MPG and smaller turbo engines.
I see many more Asian brands with issues and or more expensive needs. Right now many Hyundai are time bombs just waiting.
Couldn’t trade in the wife’s 2017 Cruze Premier RS for a new Trax or Envista. At 66k miles it’s problem free. Who wants a new headache as the pair have multiple recalls and breakdowns.
Sad GM executed the Cruze in favor of the EV dream. Do the Barra blunders ever cease?
I bought my daughter a 2013 Chevy Cruz in 2018 to get her through high school. She graduated from College still driving it with 160k miles on it. A few typical repairs here and there but still going strong.
It wasn’t as nice as the Civic or Mazda3, but it was a competitive compact. Too bad GM went in for crossovers.
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