Buying a discontinued car like the chevy cruze is a tough task due to the concern about its longevity. So, knowing how long do chevy cruze last can help decide if it’s worth or not.
On average Chevy Cruze last 175,000 to 250,000 miles which varies depending on the model year and the way the owner uses and cares. The most reliable chevy cruze that will provide higher gas mileage are 2008 to 2010 and 2016 to newer models while the worse model to avoid are 2011-2015.
Article Summary
How Long do Chevy Cruze Last?
The longevity of a car model including the chevy cruze depends on plenty of factors. However, most Chevy cruises last around 175,000 to 250,000 miles. Some owner experienced their Chevy Cruze also lasted up to 350,000 miles before showing any major problems.
So, with regular maintenance, a chevy cruze can last 17 years or even more. In terms of models, newer Chevy Cruze models are more durable, reliable, and long-lasting.
If you want to retain the longevity of your chevy cruze, get all its scheduled maintenance done. Simple maintenance like changing the oil helps make the car engine long-lasting by providing better protection. You should also inspect your by routinely by an expert mechanic to avoid developing any serious engine problems and costly replacement.
Below is a list of various popular car models along with their approximate longevity in miles and years:
| Car Name | Approximate longevity (Miles) | Approximate longevity (Years) |
| Chevy Cruze | 175,000 to 250,000 | 14-17 |
| Hyundai Elantra | 200,000 – 250,000 | 13 – 16 |
| Nissan Altima | 250,000 – 300,000 | 17 – 20 |
| Toyota Corolla | 250,000 – 300,000 | 17 – 20 |
| Honda Civic | 275,000 – 290,000 | 17-19 |
| Volkswagen Jetta | 170,000- 185,000 | 14-15 |
| Mazda 3 | 215,000- 230,000 | 14- 16 |
How Reliable is a Chevrolet Cruze?
Chevrolet Cruze is a solid, well performer, and highly popular among the four-door compact sedans lover. In repair pal, the chevy cruze gets a reliability rating of 4.0 out of 5.0 and ranks 26th among 36 compact vehicles. In J.D Power, it’s got a 5.0 reliability rating out of 5.0 in 2019 and ranked among the top three in 2019 and 2020 in terms of the most reliable cars.
The chevy cruze is also popular for its lower maintenance cost. Its average yearly repair cost is only $545 compared to $526 for compact vehicles and $652 for all types of vehicles. Considering the frequency, the chevy croze’s owner doesn’t also need to visit more frequently than others.
Like all the other vehicle models, the owner of the Chevrolet Cruze needs to bring the car to the service center 0.4 times per year on average. It’s possible severe issue is also the same as other vehicle models.
Still, it’s best to consult with CarFax to get a detailed report of the maintenance history of a used car before buying it. This can help you avoid visiting repair shops more frequently and enjoy the best performance out of your old used Cruze.
The Best and Worst Chevrolet Cruze Years
If you are satisfied with the chevy cruze’s longevity and reliability, you might be interested to buy Chevy. In this case, keep these best and worse model years in mind to invest in the top-notch one:
Chevy Cruze Years To Avoid
The worse chevy cruze models you should avoid are 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015. These models received lots of complaints on various car complaint survey sites and may cost frequent costly repairs. the major issues with these models are cracked pistons, transmission failure, and anti-freeze smell.
The 2011 chevy cruze is the worse model as it got the highest number of 387 complaints on car complaints where most are transmission problems, engine problems, and faulty heaters.
2012 Cruze also have these problems along with a cooling system problem and an electrical issue and it received the second highest 275 complaints. The main problem with the 2013 chevy cruze is electrical problems while some also complain about its engine, transmission, and heater. This model year gets 144 complaints. Another worse Chevy cruise model year is 2014 which receive 181 complaints.
Chevy Cruze Years to Buy
If you are looking for the best chevy cruze model years that are good performers and will keep you safe on the road, invest in the newer model. According to the car complaints, the best chevy cruze models are 2008-2010 and 2016 to newer.
These models receive outstanding customer reviews as provide reliable service on the road while lasting for a long and show only minor problems.
These compact sedans are also affordable and provide great gas mileage. With a combination of all-around airbags, stability control features, child safety locks, anti-lock brakes, and daytime running lights, this Chevy Cruze will keep you safe during driving.
The chevy cruze also comes in sedan and hatchback models and is equipped with plenty of fun features to let you choose based on your preference and enjoy a comfortable driving experience.
Why did Chevy discontinue the Cruze?
Following Ford and Fiat Chrysler, General Motors discontinue sedans for crossovers. Instead of replacing the compact sedan, Chevy decides to focus on developing their more popular series of trucks and SUVs.
However, Chevy didn’t discontinue their solid and reliable Cruze vehicle due to any pressure. They do so to make the transition through electric-powered vehicles instead of keep producing gas-powered ones. Though chevy will continue making Corvette and Camaro, they decide to replace Cruze with their more popular electric sedans like Bolt EV.
If you are still willing to cruze, you have to contact Chevy dealers or individual sellers for used models. While Chevy dealers will provide you with more guarantees of longevity and quality, private sellers may offer you a faulty vehicle that may require costly maintenance.
Chevy dealers may also provide you with more guarantees like manufacturer warranties, thorough inspections, and a service plan. If you prefer a newer vehicle, Chevy recommends midsize Malibu which is the closest cousin of Cruze.
Tips to Increase the Longevity of Chevrolet Cruze
Below are a few pro tips to keep your chevy cruze in good condition to enjoy safe driving all the time and keep the maintenance cost low:
- Follow your car’s owner manual’s severe service schedule. Change the transmission fluids every 50k miles to avoid damaging the engine.
- Rotate the car’s front tires to back every year and check everything including tires, suspension, and brakes.
- Hand washes the vehicle once a year to remove all tar and dust from it. Wax the lube the window and door seal as well as the hood seal and trunk seal.
- Radiator coolant may escape slowly. So add DI water between every oil change.
- Fill the gas tank up when it drops under 50% and fill the windshield washer tank before its empty. Keep the engine oil at the right level while both too low and too high are bad for the engine.
- Clean under the hood every year and check the battery and radiators to clean off bugs.
- Avoid shady gas stations and use top-tier gas.
- Keep the wheels in good condition and keep the tires at 35 PSI.
- Keep your chevy cruze up to OEM standard to retain its longevity even after repair.
- Don’t ignore if the car shows a check engine light or any other issues even if they seem minor.
FAQs
How many miles can a Chevy Cruze go on a tank of gas?
It depends on the individual model years of Chevy. While Chevy 2017 can go 438 miles on a tank of gas, 2013 model years go only 403 miles. These models also reach up to 28 MPG in the city which is 38MPG for the highway.
Does Chevy Cruze have a lot of problems?
Not all chevy cruze model years have lots of problems. The chevy cruze model years that received many complaints are 2011 to 2015 models. Remember, only manufacturers aren’t responsible for the car’s faults. Lack of maintenance and rough use is also highly responsible. Though many people ask why chevy cruze are so bad, it isn’t true.
Is it worth it to buy a Chevy Cruze?
With a combination of safety credentials and considerably lower repair cost, the chevy cruze is a decent choice for people who wants a compact sedan. This dependable vehicle last for years that can be prolonged by following simple routine maintenance like tire rotations and oil changes. Its 1.4-liter turbocharged engine is also fuel efficient.
Final Words
Now you should know how long do chevy cruze last. However, the actual longevity of chevy cruze or other vehicles also depends on the way the owner uses and cares for it along with the manufacturing quality.
So, if you have a reasonable budget, opt for a chevy cruze from the most recommended year’s list and buy it from an official dealer shop. Then follow the owner’s manual properly and routinely inspect the car to get the maximum out of your chevy cruze sedan.
