Overview

What's New for 2018

Four trim levels are offered by Chevrolet: L, LS, LT and Premier. The L comes with 15-inch steel wheels, air conditioning, driver's seat height adjustment, an adjustable steering wheel, 60/40 split-folding rear seats, Bluetooth connectivity, a single USB port, four speakers, OnStar, mobile WiFi, a rearview camera, a 7-inch color touchscreen and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. Upgrading to the LS adds carpeted floor mats and a front center armrest. LT models gain 16-inch alloy wheels, heated side mirrors, LED daytime running lights, cruise control, a multifunction steering wheel, a rear center armrest, satellite radio and six speakers. Buyers can get a Convenience package, which tacks on keyless entry/ignition, front seat heaters, a power-adjustable driver's seat and remote engine start. The Premier trim gets all of the standard and optional equipment from the LT, plus a more robust rear suspension, 17-inch alloy wheels, ambient cabin lighting, a heated steering wheel, front passenger seat height adjustment and leather upholstery. An RS Appearance package can be added to the LT and Premier models, bundling together 18-inch wheels, foglights, a sport body kit and a rear spoiler. The Sun and Sound package is also available, with a sunroof, an 8-inch infotainment screen, a color driver information center and a Bose sound system with nine speakers. Premier models can also be had with navigation. The Driver Confidence package for the LT and Premier trims provides rear parking sensors, rear cross-traffic alert and blind spot monitoring. Premier models can also be outfitted with a Driver Confidence 2 package, which adds forward collision alert, lane departure warning and automatic high beams to the mix. A Cruze comes with a factory invoice of about $16,000 for an L model and an MSRP of about $17,000. The LS trim level adds about $2,200 to the vehicle’s MSRP, and the LT increases it by about another $1,800. Going with the Premier adds about $3,000. The big benefit of being a member is peace of mind, because you can go to your Certified Dealer and without any hassle get a fair price that in the end saves you money.

With the second generation, the interior of the Chevrolet Cruze looks even more modern and stylish. A black color scheme adds to the sophisticated nature of the space, while surprisingly high-end materials are used throughout. The controls are located in intuitive places and are large enough for ease of use. When it comes to onboard electronics, the Cruze shines. The infotainment screen boasts excellent graphics that are large and easy to reference while on the go, while the system responds quickly to inputs. The menus and navigation are intuitive as well, and smartphone integration is streamlined by the inclusion of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The front and rear seats are supportive and well-padded, but the side bolsters don't really hold anyone in place. Headroom and legroom on both rows is good enough for most people, and the trunk comes with ample space even more long trips.