The Chevrolet Cruze made waves upon its release, achieving impressive sales figures and commanding higher transaction prices in the competitive compact car segment. A key player in its lineup was the Cruze Eco, designed specifically for fuel efficiency. But how does the Cruze Eco hold up under scrutiny, and does its focus on economy compromise other aspects of the driving experience? Let’s delve into a comprehensive review of the Chevy Cruze Eco.
Styling and Design: Understated Efficiency
The Cruze, in general, is a handsome car with a conservative design. In LTZ trim, some might even mistake it for a more premium European sedan like an Audi at a quick glance. However, the Cruze Eco deviates slightly in its aesthetic choices, most notably with its 17-inch forged polished alloy wheels. While forged wheels are typically associated with higher performance and cost, on the Cruze Eco, they unfortunately lend a somewhat hubcap-like appearance, a less premium look compared to the LTZ’s 18-inch five-spoke wheels. The bulbous design of the Eco further distances it from any Audi comparisons.
Stepping inside, the Cruze Eco shares the generally well-executed interior found across the Cruze range. Chevrolet wisely invested in the cabin quality, ensuring that materials feel solid and well-assembled. Unlike some competitors in the segment, the Cruze’s interior doesn’t scream “budget car.” While the overall design is conventional, lacking the futuristic flair of the Sonic’s instrument cluster, the Cruze introduces a unique touch with heavy-weave cloth upholstery extending from the door panels onto the dashboard. While this fabric element might require a bit more care to keep clean, particularly in darker colors, it undeniably elevates the interior ambiance, adding a touch of warmth and texture often missing in this class.
Interior Comfort and Practicality
In previous reviews of the Cruze, a standout feature was the inclusion of separate front and rear seat height adjustments, a rarity in the segment, especially with dual front adjustability. However, in a cost-cutting move for the 2012 model year, this feature has been removed. Thankfully, the tilt and height adjustments remain separate. Given the Cruze’s high dashboard and beltline, drivers of average height or below may need to raise the seat to achieve a comfortable and commanding driving position. The driver’s seat itself is firm yet comfortable, offering a level of substance often lacking in compact cars. The use of quality foam contributes to a more supportive and pleasant seating experience. The rear seats, however, are positioned somewhat low to the floor and could benefit from more knee room, a common compromise in this vehicle class.
Engine and Performance: Efficiency Focused
The Cruze Eco shares its engine options with the smaller Chevrolet Sonic. Experiencing the Sonic with the 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine highlights why it’s not the optimal choice. Even in the lighter Sonic, this engine feels underpowered, becomes noisy under strain, and doesn’t deliver exceptional fuel economy. The Cruze Eco, however, comes standard with a 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. While peak horsepower figures are similar at higher RPMs, the turbocharged engine boasts a significantly stronger midrange, producing 148 pound-feet of torque at 1,850 rpm compared to the 1.8-liter’s 123 pound-feet at 3,800 rpm. This translates to a more relaxed and responsive driving experience in typical suburban settings, requiring less effort to access adequate power. While the 1.4T engine exhibits some vibration at idle, it is generally well-behaved. However, it’s important to manage expectations regarding acceleration; with 138 horsepower propelling a 3,100-pound car, blistering speed is not on the menu. Similar to a Toyota Prius, the Cruze Eco is best enjoyed when driven with fuel economy in mind. This aligns perfectly with the Eco variant’s “triple overdrive” gearing, engineered for optimal MPG. However, driving too conservatively in traffic might frustrate drivers behind you eager to reach the next traffic light. In sixth gear, the engine cruises at a relaxed 2,300 rpm at 75 mph. The manual shifter, unlike those in many economy-focused cars, feels surprisingly smooth and substantial.
Fuel Economy: Achieving Segment-Leading MPG
Fuel economy is where the Cruze Eco truly shines. The EPA highway rating of 42 MPG is among the best in its class, and the city rating of 28 MPG is also respectable. Real-world suburban driving often yielded figures in the low 40s according to the trip computer, and straight highway driving even surpassed 50 MPG. Over a week of mixed driving, an average of slightly over 35 MPG was observed. One might speculate about even greater fuel efficiency if Chevrolet had managed to reduce the curb weight below 3,000 pounds. However, even the lighter Sonic with the same engine only achieves EPA ratings of 29/40 MPG, suggesting that the Eco-specific enhancements in the Cruze Eco contribute significantly to its fuel-saving capabilities. These Eco tweaks appear to improve fuel economy by approximately 10% in EPA testing, and potentially even more in real-world driving for economy-conscious drivers, according to the trip computer. [It’s worth noting that some Cruze owners have reported the trip computer to be slightly optimistic, by around 3%, indicating a potential overestimation of 1 to 1.5 MPG.]
Handling and Ride Quality: Comfort Over Cornering
The focus on fuel economy in the Cruze Eco does impact its handling dynamics. The 215/55HR17 Goodyear Assurance tires prioritize low rolling resistance over outright grip. Steering response is adequate but lacks crispness, and the car tends to slide predictably when pushed beyond its limits. The Cruze Eco is clearly optimized for efficiency, not spirited driving. In typical commuting situations, the Cruze Eco delivers a pleasant driving experience. The steering is reasonably quick and well-weighted, albeit somewhat numb in terms of feedback. The ride is smooth, quiet, and well-insulated, effectively absorbing road imperfections. Body control is not quite as refined as the Ford Focus, exhibiting a bit more vertical movement over uneven surfaces, but it surpasses the Hyundai Elantra in this regard.
Value and Competition: Pricing and Alternatives
The base price of the Cruze Eco, before options like the tested car’s $325 “crystal red metallic tintcoat” paint (an arguably unnecessary extravagance given the wheel design), is $19,995. A Cruze LT, with EPA ratings of 26/38 MPG, is priced at $770 less. For the average driver, recouping the price difference through fuel savings would take approximately six years. The added cost of the Eco might be more justifiable if its unique wheels and subtle rear spoiler significantly enhanced the car’s visual appeal, but this is debatable.
Comparing the Cruze Eco to competitors, a Ford Focus SE with Sport and Convenience Packages is priced very closely at $20,365. Factoring in the Cruze’s additional standard features, particularly extra airbags, using tools like TrueDelta’s car price comparison tool widens the price gap to around $900, and even further to approximately $1,300 when comparing to the Cruze LT.
A Hyundai Elantra GLS with Comfort Package and floormats is significantly more affordable at $17,300. However, adjusting for feature differences narrows the gap considerably to just around $200. This substantial feature-based price adjustment is partly due to limitations on the Hyundai; opting for a manual transmission on the Elantra restricts the availability of alloy wheels and Bluetooth connectivity. Furthermore, the Hyundai generally feels less substantial in terms of build quality compared to the Cruze.
Conclusion: A Fuel-Efficient Commuter Champion
For driving enthusiasts prioritizing dynamic handling and engagement, the Ford Focus emerges as the clear frontrunner in this competitive set. However, for hypermilers and those seeking a comfortable, economical commuter car that avoids feeling like a penalty box, the Chevrolet Cruze Eco presents a compelling option. Bob Lutz’s emphasis on refinement during his tenure at GM is evident in the Cruze, particularly when compared to the smaller Sonic. While the focus on refinement contributed to a somewhat hefty curb weight, pushing it close to midsize sedan territory, this weight penalty seems to have minimal impact on its primary strength: fuel efficiency. However, like the Toyota models that the Cruze aims to outperform in fuel economy, it lacks a sense of excitement or occasion. Beyond its excellent MPG, the Cruze Eco doesn’t offer much to ignite passion. Nevertheless, as a practical and highly fuel-efficient compact car, the Chevy Cruze Eco effectively delivers on its core mission.
Vehicle, insurance, and fuel for this review were provided by Chevrolet.
Michael Karesh of TrueDelta contributed to this review.
