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

- 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
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr Sedan Diesel | 181.1 in | 70.9 in | 58.3 in | 105.5 in | 60.6 / 61.4 in | 3,470 lb | 61/39 |
| 4dr Sedan Ls/Lt/Ltz/Eco | 181.1 in | 70.9 in | 58.3 in | 105.5 in | 60.6 / 61.4 in | 3,084 lb | 61/39 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cruze Eco | 1.4L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 / 40 / 32 | +25% | $2,100 | 272 |
| Cruze Diesel | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 27 / 44 / 32 | +25% | $3,000 | 314 |
| Cruze | 1.4L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 / 36 / 30 | +17% | $2,250 | 300 |
| Cruze | 1.4L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 / 37 / 30 | +17% | $2,250 | 298 |
| Cruze Eco | 1.4L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 / 37 / 30 | +17% | $2,250 | 295 |
| Cruze | 1.8L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 / 35 / 29 | +13% | $2,300 | 304 |
| Cruze | 1.8L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 / 34 / 26 | +1% | $2,600 | 336 |
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
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 Chevrolet Cruze (this car) | 32 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2015 Toyota Corolla | 34 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2015 Honda Civic | 44 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2015 Honda Accord | 47 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2015 Toyota Camry | 40 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2015 Nissan GT-R | 19 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2015 Toyota Prius | 50 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
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.
Not every 2015 Chevrolet Cruze is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2015 Chevrolet Cruze buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Engine — 99 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Electrical System — 48 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Power Train — 37 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 55,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- 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 →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Cruze | 37 | 183.9 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 23 |
| 2018 Cruze | 37 | 183.9 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 109 |
| 2017 Cruze | 37 | 183.9 in | Not rated | 2 | 201 |
| 2016 Cruze | 34 | 183.9 in | Not rated | 4 | 250 |
| 2014 Cruze | 32 | 181.5 in | Not rated | 10 | 643 |
| 2013 Cruze | 32 | 181.5 in | Not rated | 5 | 450 |
| 2012 Cruze | 32 | 181.5 in | Not rated | 7 | 581 |
| 2011 Cruze | 32 | 181.5 in | Not rated | 7 | 424 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Chevrolet. How we calculate this →