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2015 Chevrolet Cruze

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2015 models.

Chevrolet Cruze
Pictured: 2017 Chevrolet Cruze LT in Arctic Blue Metallic, Front Left. Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Midsize Cars
Body styles
4dr Sedan Diesel, 4dr Sedan Ls/Lt/Ltz/Eco
Engines
1.4L 4-cyl turbo, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 1.8L 4-cyl
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline, Diesel
MPG (best)
32 combined · 28 city / 44 hwy
Length
181.1 in
Curb weight
3,084–3,470 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
4 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 32 MPG combined — 25% better than the average 2015 midsize car (25.7 MPG).

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 26 similar 2015 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2015 Chevrolet Cruze is a midsize car offered with 3 engines (1.4L 4-cyl turbo, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo and 1.8L 4-cyl) and front-wheel drive.

It measures about 181 inches long and 71 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,470 lb (4dr Sedan Diesel).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 32 MPG combined (28 city / 44 highway), 25% better than the 2015 midsize car average of 25.7 MPG, for an estimated $2,100 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 252 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.

What changed for 2015

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2014 Cruze — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2014; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2014 Cruze →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr Sedan Diesel181.1 in70.9 in58.3 in105.5 in60.6 / 61.4 in3,470 lb61/39
4dr Sedan Ls/Lt/Ltz/Eco181.1 in70.9 in58.3 in105.5 in60.6 / 61.4 in3,084 lb61/39

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Cruze Eco1.4L 4-cyl turboManual 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive28 / 40 / 32+25%$2,100272
Cruze Diesel2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive27 / 44 / 32+25%$3,000314
Cruze1.4L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive26 / 36 / 30+17%$2,250300
Cruze1.4L 4-cyl turboManual 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive26 / 37 / 30+17%$2,250298
Cruze Eco1.4L 4-cyl turboAutomatic 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive26 / 37 / 30+17%$2,250295
Cruze1.8L 4-cylManual 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive25 / 35 / 29+13%$2,300304
Cruze1.8L 4-cylAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive22 / 34 / 26+1%$2,600336
8/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
8/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Save $1,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
25.7 MPG2015 Midsize Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2015 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2015 Chevrolet Cruze.

Similar 2015 midsize cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2015 Chevrolet Cruze (this car)32 MPGNot rated4
2015 Toyota Corolla34 MPGNot rated1
2015 Honda Civic44 MPGNot rated1
2015 Honda Accord47 MPGNot rated6
2015 Toyota Camry40 MPGNot rated1
2015 Nissan GT-R19 MPGNot rated1
2015 Toyota Prius50 MPGNot rated2

Recalls (4)

Electrical System › Ignition · Jul 5, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V502000 · 8,367 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Risk
If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.
Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage · Dec 23, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V876000 · 15 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured September 24, 2014, to May 29, 2015. In the affected vehicles, one of the driver-side seat belt assembly bolts may not be properly tightened.
Risk
An insufficiently torqued bolt may prevent the seat belt from holding the required load in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and tighten the bolts, free of charge. The recall began on January 27, 2016 Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15777.
Steering · Jul 10, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V442000 · 10 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured November 8, 2013, to March 12, 2015, and 2015 Chevrolet Volt vehicles manufactured April 11, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the inner tie rod may not be tightened to specification allowing the tie rod to separate from the steering gear.
Risk
Separation of the tie rod from the steering gear could result in the loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear assembly, free of charge. The recall began on July 28, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15386.
Parking Brake · Feb 27, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V113000 · 1,733 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured February 4, 2015, to February 9, 2015. The left-rear or right-rear parking brake cable brackets may not have been properly fastened during the assembly process. As a result, the fastening bolts may back out completely, causing the parking brake bracket to separate and the parking brake to not hold the vehicle in place. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
Risk
If the parking brake bracket separates, the parking brake may not hold the vehicle, increasing the risk of a vehicle roll away and a crash.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the left-rear and right-rear parking brake brackets bolts, tightening them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began in March 24, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15135.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2015 Chevrolet Cruze is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

252Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
20Involved a crash
4Involved a fire
13Injuries reported
55,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Engine99
Electrical System48
Unknown Or Other46
Power Train37
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)30
Steering24
Fuel/Propulsion System23
Air Bags19
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
23/01: 223/02: 123/03: 223/04: 223/05: 123/06: 323/07: 223/08: 223/09: 223/11: 123/12: 124/03: 124/04: 124/07: 124/09: 124/12: 125/02: 225/03: 125/05: 125/06: 125/12: 126/01: 226/06: 126/09: 123/0123/0423/0723/1124/0424/1225/0526/01max 3

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2015 Chevrolet Cruze buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Engine — 99 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  3. Electrical System — 48 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  4. Power Train — 37 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 55,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2015 Chevrolet Cruze. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Cruze years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2019 Cruze37183.9 in★★★★★223
2018 Cruze37183.9 in★★★★★3109
2017 Cruze37183.9 inNot rated2201
2016 Cruze34183.9 inNot rated4250
2014 Cruze32181.5 inNot rated10643
2013 Cruze32181.5 inNot rated5450
2012 Cruze32181.5 inNot rated7581
2011 Cruze32181.5 inNot rated7424

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Chevrolet. How we calculate this →