The 2019 Chevrolet Cruze is a reliable vehicle with two engine options and decent tech on higher trims. When stacked up against its competitors, the Cruze offers a comfortable ride with an affordable price tag that falls between $16,500 and $25,000.
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2019 Chevrolet Cruze: A Quick Overview
- There are a total of five trim levels for the 2019 Chevrolet Cruze. Pricing starts at $16,500 and goes up to $25,000, with the LT models and above providing the most value.
- There are only two engine options available when purchasing a 2019 Chevy Cruze. While the diesel provides good fuel economy, the driving performance does suffer. All trim levels provide a comfortable, smooth ride.
- The 2019 Cruze has a five-star vehicle safety rating and very few consumer complaints. You will need to opt for the LT trim level or above to get some of the high-end safety technology.
- Chevrolet isn’t known for forking out technology features in its lower-tier models. You will have to buy an LT or above to get access to many modern creature comforts.
- Maintenance costs on your 2019 Chevrolet Cruze won’t be much, and most large repairs are still covered under warranty. It is a reliable daily driver, and when compared to the Civic and Golf, it’s extremely affordable.
2019 Chevrolet Cruze Offers Five Trim Levels, with Each Adding Value and Technology
The 2019 Chevrolet Cruze is available in five trim levels and two distinct body styles. Starting at the bottom of the range, there is the L then it moves up to the LS, LT, Diesel, and the top tier Premier. All 2019 Chevy Cruze trims are available in both the hatchback and sedan body styles except for the L, which is only offered in a sedan.
Cruze L is a Basic Model but Comes to the Table with AppleCarPlay and a Wifi Hotspot
To kick things off, the Cruze L is equipped with a seven-inch touchscreen display that is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. On top of basic equipment like electric windows and power door locks, other key features include 10 airbags, keyless entry, OnStar roadside assistance, and a Wifi Hotspot.
Cruze LS Introduces the Hatchback Body Style and Optional Convenience Package
When you look at the standard equipment for the Cruze LS, it is very similar to the L. However, the LS gives you access to a few more options and an attractive hatchback body style. The LS Convenience Package adds cruise control, remote start, audio controls on the steering wheel, and 16-inch alloy wheels.
Cruze LT Adds Value by Making the Options You Want Standard Equipment
The 2019 Chevy Cruze LT makes nearly all the options in the LS Convenience Package standard equipment with a few added benefits. On top of what you get with the LS, the Cruze LT comes equipped with automatic climate control, both front and rear carpeted floor mats, XM satellite radio, a 60/40 split rear folding seat, and a rear center armrest with two cup holders.
If you’re in search of a more aggressive look, the LT trim and beyond give you access to the optional RS package. What the RS package has to offer includes a sports body kit, black “bowtie” emblems, a rear spoiler, and different wheels, depending on the trim level you choose.
Cruze Diesel Trades Performance for Fuel Economy, and Standardizes More Features
What sets the Cruze Diesel apart from its siblings is exactly what you’d expect. The engine and drivetrain are different, but there will be more about that later. On top of better fuel economy, the Diesel adds or standardizes most of the LT optional equipment. Key features include standard heated front seats, 8-way power-adjustable driver seat, heated mirrors, and optional leatherette seat upholstery.
Safety also gets a bump on the Diesel with the addition of blind-spot monitoring, rear park assist, and rear cross-traffic alert. It is important to note while the 2019 Diesel is not considered the top model Cruze by Chevrolet, it does have the highest resale value according to Vehicle History and Kelley Blue Book.
Cruze Premier Offers Standard Leatherette Interior and Loads of Safety Technology with the Optional Driver Confidence II Package
At the top of the 2019 Chevy Cruze mountain is the Premier. As for standard features, the Premier adds to the LT equipment with standard leatherette seat upholstery, a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated front seats, and an 8-way power-adjustable driver seat.
On the exterior, the Premier adds 17-inch aluminum wheels, heated power-adjustable side mirrors, and optional fog lights. The main benefit to selecting the Cruze Premier over the other trims is the optional Driver Confidence II package. This package dumps more safety technology into the Cruze by adding forward-collision warning, lane-keep assist, lane departure warning, and low-speed automatic braking.
2019 Chevrolet Cruze Pricing Starts at Around $16,500 for the L and Goes up to Around $25,000 for a High-end Hatchback Diesel
One big thing the 2019 Cruze has going for it is that it is considerably cheaper than most of its competition. The price range for a 2019 Chevrolet Cruze starts at around $16,500 for a base model L and goes up to around $25,000 for a decked-out Diesel hatchback.
When you look at value for the money, the Cruze LT is the way to go. With a budget of $20,000, you could easily take home a well-equipped Cruze LT hatchback with around 60,000 miles. If you’re willing to give up a little cargo space and rear headroom, you can buy a nice LT sedan for a little less than that.
Chevy’s CPO Program Provides Peace of Mind with a Longer Warranty and Roadside Assistance
When purchasing a used vehicle, it is always important to consider the manufacturer warranty. By buying from a certified Chevrolet dealer, you can take advantage of Chevy’s comprehensive certified pre-owned program. The CPO coverage includes a six-year or 100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty, a 12-month/12,000-mile bumper-to-bumper limited warranty, and roadside assistance. If you choose to purchase certified pre-owned, you can rest assured that your 2019 Chevy Cruze has been thoroughly inspected and is up to date with all its maintenance.
2019 Chevrolet Cruze Offers Two Engine Options in a Peppy 1.4L and a Fuel Efficient 1.6L Diesel
There are only two engine options for the 2019 Chevrolet Cruze. The most common engine is the 1.4L DOHC turbocharged four-cylinder, which is found in the L, LS, LT, and Premier. The 1.4L produces 153 hp and 177 lb.-ft. of torque and is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.
The other engine is a 1.6L turbocharged four-cylinder diesel, producing 137 hp and 240 lb.-ft. of torque that is only available in the Cruze Diesel. That may sound like a lot, but if you have ever driven a diesel, you know that torque is short-lived. To help mitigate this issue, Chevy has equipped the Diesel with a nine-speed automatic transmission to improve acceleration and push the fuel economy even further.
Both 2019 Cruze Engines Offer Impressive Fuel Economy, with Up to a Combined 37 MPG in the Diesel Sedan
The 2019 Chevy Cruze boasts impressive fuel economy in all configurations. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, 2019 Cruzes equipped with the 1.4L engine can expect 32 mpg combined.
The Diesel sedan fairs even better with a combined 37 mpg for the city and the highway but, due to aerodynamic reasons, you lose about two miles per gallon by selecting the diesel-powered hatchback.
2019 Chevy Cruze is Small But Has Room for What You Need
The 2019 Cruze is a fairly compact vehicle. It has a length of 183.7 inches, a width of 70.5 inches, and it sits 57.4 inches high. With the Cruze being smaller, it has a fair amount of cargo space with 14.8 cubic feet of room in the trunk. On the LT model and higher you also get the option of a 60/40 split-folding rear seat for more space as well.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Gives the 2019 Cruze a Five-Star Safety Rating
A vehicle’s safety rating should play a factor in your purchasing decision. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has given the 2019 Chevrolet Cruze a five-star safety rating.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) also rated the 2019 Cruze well, only making one small note about the child safety latches. According to the IIHS, the car has one additional seating position in the backseat that is only equipped with a tether to secure a baby seat. The other two seating positions, however, come with LATCH hardware. In addition to LATCH, there are also a few tech features in the car that help keep you safe while driving. We’ll cover those below.
Technology Features in the 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Are Most Impressive On the LT Trim and Above
On lower trim levels, Chevrolet does not provide its consumers with much in terms of standard technology. All cars come with one month of OnStar, which includes things like emergency services, stolen vehicle assistance, roadside assistance, and other perks. Every 2019 Chevy Cruze also comes equipped with Teen Driver technology, rear vision camera, remote keyless entry, tire pressure monitoring system, two USB ports, and a seven-inch infotainment system as standard. That’s basically where the standard tech ends though.
Upgrading the 2019 Cruze to an LT or higher gets you access to other tech perks. The LT comes with steering wheel-mounted controls for audio, phone, and cruise control. Cruze LT models and above also come equipped with a remote vehicle starter system, Sirius XM Radio All Access Package, and a 6-speaker sound system. Diesel and Premier models will provide you with one extra perk: keyless open and start.
2019 Chevrolet Cruze Offers 15 Exterior and Several Interior Color Options, Including Leather on Higher Trim Levels
Chevy offered 15 different exterior colors for the Cruze in 2019, including a number of metallic options like Graphite Metallic, Pepperdust Metallic, Arctic Blue Metallic, Oakwood Metallic, Kinetic Blue Metallic, Mosaic Black Metallic, Silver Ice Metallic, Satin Steel Metallic, Nightfall Gray Metallic, and Pacific Blue Metallic. Other non-metallic options include Crush, Red Hot, Summit White, Black, and Cajun Red Tintcoat. All color options vary depending on the trim level you choose.
Inside the vehicle, Jet Black is found in all of the trim levels. Jet Black/Galvanized interior is available on every model except the L. Purchasing a Premier or Diesel model will get you access to a Jet Black/Umber interior color option.
The 2019 Chevy Cruze is a Reliable Point A to B Car
J.D. Power and Associates gave the Cruze a 4.5 out of five-star reliability rating. The 2019 Cruze also ranks well for the overall cost to own. If it is still under warranty, the annual repair costs for the 2019 Chevy Cruze are considerably low. According to Repair Pal, most regular maintenance repairs will only run you about $100.
With 4.5 out of five stars on Vehicle History, consumers have rated the car highly as well. Some Cruze owners hailed the car for being the best they’ve ever owned. Others praised it for being exactly what it is: simple and reliable. Overall the 2019 Cruze is a good point A to B car.
No Real Known Issues, Two Recalls on the 2019 Chevy Cruze
While it is relatively reliable, there have been two recalls on the 2019 Chevy Cruze. General Motors recalled a number of vehicles due to a powertrain issue in October 2020. Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator led to an increased risk of a crash. GM also made a recall on the service brakes in 2018, just after the 2019 model’s release. Right now, consumers are not reporting any issues with the two-year-old vehicle either, minus the occasional fluke.
2019 Chevy Cruze vs. Honda Civic, Volkswagen Golf, and Toyota Corolla
Chevrolet isn’t short on competitors for its 2019 Cruze. Most car manufacturers make a compact vehicle that compares to the Cruze. Some of the most popular cars in its class are the Civic, Golf, and Corolla. Let’s take a look at how they stack up against the Chevy Cruze.
2019 Honda Civic Comes with More Standard Safety Features
First up on the list of competitors for the Chevy Cruze is the Honda Civic. The Civic is one of the most popular cars on the market today and for good reason. When compared to the Chevy Cruze, the Civic is cheaper to drive day-to-day, with the Civic getting 31 mpg city and 40 mpg on the highway. While it is a touch smaller than the Cruze, the Honda Civic is overall more fun to drive and handles better on the road. Not to mention, many of the optional safety features on the Cruze come as standard on the Civic.
To see a more detailed side-by-side comparison between these vehicles, check out this Vehicle History coverage.
2019 Volkswagen Golf Offers Many of the Same Options for More Money
Next up on the list of competitors is the 2019 Volkswagen Golf. The Cruze hatchback offers basically the same performance as the standard Golf. Both run on 1.4L turbo inline-4 engines. They each get roughly the same gas mileage and can hold the same number of passengers, though you’ll get more cargo room in the Golf. What truly sets the Golf apart from the Cruze is its GTI model. It offers a bit more horsepower but lower gas mileage and a higher price. So, the Cruze is still probably the better option if you’re buying on a tight budget.
To see a more detailed side-by-side comparison between these vehicles, check out this Vehicle History coverage.
2019 Toyota Corolla Offers More with Its Entry-level Models
The Corolla is another direct competitor for the Chevy Cruze. Toyota Corollas are another extremely popular vehicle on the market. When it comes to pricing, the Corolla and the Cruze land within about $1,000 of each other. Toyota gives consumers a lot more with its base model Corolla than car buyers are getting with the Cruze though. Chevy withholds a lot of safety technology and other perks from its entry-level models that come standard in the Corolla. In every other way, the Corolla and Cruze are neck-and-neck though. They offer about the same fuel economy, similar interior features, and both drive well.
To see a more detailed side-by-side comparison between these vehicles, check out this Vehicle History coverage.
2019 Cruze Earns High Marks for Being a Comfortable Commuter with Low Maintenance Costs and Good Fuel Economy
While most of the cars in its class might be more fun to drive, the Chevy Cruze is hard to beat when it comes to the price. If we were to make any recommendation at all it would be to buy an LT model or higher. Many of the best perks come equipped as standard on the higher trim levels and it is still at a reasonable price.
At the end of the day, the 2019 Chevrolet Cruze is a reliable car that will get you where you need to go. Over the nearly 180 consumer reviews on Vehicle History, the Cruze received an average of 4.6 out of five stars. It may not be very exciting but it is comfortable, performs well, and can be acquired on a budget. All in all, it is a good option when purchasing a compact vehicle.
Photos: Chevrolet, Honda, Volkswagen, and Toyota
