2017 Chevrolet Cruze

The Cruze slots in the middle of Chevrolet's sedan lineup, above the Spark and Sonic but below the Malibu and Impala in price and size. In hatchback form, the Cruze is positioned above the Spark and Sonic but below the new all-electric Bolt.

A 153-hp, 177-lb-ft of torque turbocharged 1.4-liter I-4 engine mated to a six-speed automatic or six-speed manual power the 2017 Chevrolet Cruze. Power is sent to the front wheels while delivering 34 mpg combined driving for the automatic, 32 mpg for the manual, and 33 mpg for the Cruze Premier automatic. The Cruze hatchback with the automatic is rated at 32 mpg combined driving while both the Cruze hatchback manual and Cruze hatchback Premier automatic deliver 31 mpg. A 1.6-liter turbodiesel I-4 engine will be available in the Cruze later in the production year.

The 2017 Chevrolet Cruze comes standard with Chevrolet MyLink that features a 7-inch color touchscreen with available built-in 4G LTE Wi-Fi, Apple CarPlay, and Andriod Auto. The myChevrolet mobile app allows the driver start or stop your engine, lock or unlock the doors, send directions to the navigation system (if equipped), view diagnostic information, and set parking reminders from the convenience of your mobile device. The standard Teen Driver system can help improve driving habits by muting the audio when front seat occupants aren't wearing their seatbelts, giving audible and visual warnings when the Cruze is traveling over the preselected speed limit, automatically turning on safety features including Side Blind Zone Alert (if equipped), and providing information on how the vehicle was driven.

The NHTSA has yet to crash test the 2017 Chevrolet Cruze. In IIHS testing, the Cruze received the highest rating of Good in the moderate overlap front and side crash tests. The lowest rating of Basic was given to the Cruze's front crash prevention evaluation thanks to its forward collision warning system.

The Chevrolet Cruze comes standard with 10 airbags (including passenger and driver knee airbags), a rearview camera, StabiliTrak electronic stability control with traction control and rollover mitigation, and OnStar Guidance plan free for three months. The available Driver Confidence Package includes Rear Park Assist, Side Blind Zone Alert with Lane Change Alert, and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert. Forward Collision Alert, Lane Departure Warning with Lane Keep Assist are available on the Driver Confidence II package.

In a First Test of the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze Premier, we said, "Overall, this is the best compact car Chevy has put out to date. In a segment where an automaker can slip into mediocrity, GM made an effort, and it shows." In a 2016/2017 Big Test of compact sedans, the Chevrolet Cruze placed second out of seven contenders and we said, "It feels like an altogether more thorough effort than its predecessor," and, "It's nice to see an actual interior design in this segment. It's not something you see." During the 2017 Motor Trend Car of the Year Testing, we like the new styling and class-leading safety technology, but not the cramped rear seats, poor ride on rough roads, and lack of power. Overall we liked the compact sedan and said, "We don't do a Most Improved award, but if we did, the 2017 Chevrolet Cruze would have that one locked up."

The Cruze is Chevrolet's best-selling car around the world, with 3.5 million sold since it went on sale in 2008.