beebs
Skip to main content

2016 Chevrolet Cruze review

Research, photos, specs, and expertise

Chevrolet Cruze highlights

Customer rating

RepairPal reliability rating

Pros

  • Attractive interior styling
  • Excellent performance from the standard engine
  • Plenty of comfort and tech features

Cons

  • Only one engine option
  • Base models lack some basic equipment
  • No available active driver assists

Mileage (EPA estimate)

29 city, 40 highway, 33 combined

Pricing for current inventory

(no current inventory)

View our Chevrolet Cruze inventory
Lighting bolt logo
Can an EV fit my lifestyle? Image of woman on smartphone while charging an EV

Does an EV fit my lifestyle?

On this page

Find your Cruze
then buy online or in-store

Learn more about getting pre-qualified with no impact to your credit score
Price
Year
Search our Cruze inventorySearch for a different car

Shop with your budget in mind

Getting pre-qualified lets you shop with personalized monthly payments, and it doesn't impact your credit score.

Get Pre-qualified

A roomy and tech-savvy sedan

Clean styling and attractive attention to detail on the interior give the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze a refreshing appeal as a compact sedan. Inside, a spacious cabin and trunk combine with comfortable seating to deliver everyday usability. The lone engine, a 1.4L turbocharged four-cylinder engine, gets paired with a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. Plus, the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze has many available technologies, including standard smartphone integration. Overall, the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze delivers a pleasing experience for the modern commute.

All Chevrolet Cruze years

What is new for the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze?

  • Trim Added: Sport Package for enhanced performance and aesthetics
  • Trim Discontinued: Base Model, now replaced by an upgraded variant
  • Standard Equipment on all: Newly included advanced safety features such as lane assist and automatic emergency braking
  • New Equipment: Introduced larger touchscreen infotainment system with improved connectivity options

5 reasons to buy the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze

1. Going the distance between fill-ups 

Spend more time behind the wheel and less around the pumps in the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze. That’s because the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze with the six-speed automatic transmission gets an EPA-estimated 40 mpg highway and 30 mpg city fuel economy.

If you opt for the six-speed manual transmission in the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze Eco, the EPA-estimated fuel economy drops slightly to 40 mpg highway and 28 mpg city.
 

2. A functional and spacious cabin 

Enjoy a spacious 36 inches of rear legroom in the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze, which means even tall adults will comfortably fit. Or, bring along the gear for your trip thanks to the 14.8 cu-ft of trunk volume, which can expand into the passenger area through the available 60/40 split-folding rear seats. Plus, small storage pockets and cubbies are ideal for storing small items and using the interior space well. 

3. A comfortable interior 

Settle into the supportive and comfy seats of a 2016 Chevrolet Cruze. For example, soft cloth surfaces and lumbar support ensure that seats don’t feel hard after prolonged use. Or, get a 2016 Chevrolet Cruze Premier to enjoy soft leather seats and upgraded rear suspension to smooth out rough roads. 

4. Tech-filled features list 

The 2016 Chevrolet Cruze is available with a robust list of standard technology features. For instance, Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay® smartphone integration, Bluetooth® connectivity, a seven-inch touchscreen, and an available 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot are included in every 2016 Chevrolet Cruze.

Or, get wireless charging and automatic climate control when you find a 2016 Chevrolet Cruze with the Enhanced Convenience Package. 

5. A sport appearance package 

Get the RS Appearance package to add a sporty flair that enhances the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze’s exterior styling. This package adds fog lights, a rear spoiler, a sport-themed body kit, and other styling elements to the exterior. So, let the RS Appearance package boost the styling of your 2016 Chevrolet Cruze LT or Premier. 

Shop with your budget in mind

Getting pre-qualified lets you shop with personalized monthly payments, and it doesn't impact your credit score.

Get Pre-qualified

Ratings & reliability

Customer ratings

3.8 out of 5

16 customer reviews
The 2016 Chevrolet Cruze receives mixed reviews. Positives include excellent fuel economy, smooth ride, and technology features like Bluetooth. However, some users complain about limited interior space, noisy cabin, and inconsistent reliability. Maintenance costs and braking issues are noted concerns. It balances comfort and budget-friendly ownership but may lack advanced features.

RepairPal reliability rating

3
1
2
Above Average

RepairPal gave the Chevrolet Cruze an overall reliability rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Above Average. This rating ranks Chevrolet Cruze 33rd out of 46 among Compact Cars.

View RepairPal's full rating of the Chevrolet Cruze

Chevrolet Cruze features and specs

Curious how Chevrolet Cruze trims differ? Use our side-by-side vehicle comparison to see the differences and similarities

Premier 4D Sedan 2WD

Standard Features

  • Heated Steering Wheel
  • Heated Mirrors
  • ABS Brakes
  • Air Conditioning
  • Cruise Control
  • Front Seat Heaters
  • Leather Seats
  • Overhead Airbags
  • Power Locks
  • Power Mirrors
  • Power Seat(s)
  • Power Windows
  • Rear Defroster
  • Rear View Camera
  • Remote Start
  • Side Airbags
  • Traction Control
  • Alloy Wheels
  • Automatic Transmission
  • Turbo Charged Engine
  • Satellite Radio Ready
  • Apple CarPlay
  • Android Auto
  • AM/FM Stereo
  • Auxiliary Audio Input
  • Bluetooth Technology

Optional Features

  • Air Conditioning
  • Blind Spot Monitor
  • Lane Departure Warning
  • Parking Sensors
  • Rear Seat Heaters
  • Smart Key
  • Sunroof(s)
  • Rear Spoiler
  • Automatic Transmission
  • BOSE Sound System
  • CD Audio
  • Navigation System
  • Satellite Radio Ready

Drive Wheels

Front Wheel Drive (2WD)

Engine size

1.4L

Horsepower

153

Torque (ft-lbs)

177

Engine type

Turbo Gas

Fuel capacity

13.7

Wheelbase

106.3"

Overall length

183.7"

Width

70.5"

Height

57.4"

Leg room

F 42"/R 36.1"

Head room

F 38.9"/R 37.3"

Front tires

P225/45R17

Rear tires

P225/45R17

Seating capacity

5

Transmission

Automatic

2016 Chevrolet Cruze FAQ

Chevrolet Cruze articles

3 Parents Reveal How They Chose the Best First Car for Their Teens: Abstract | CarMax

3 Parents Reveal How They Chose the Best First Car for Their Teens

Are you shopping for your teen's first car? Three parents share how they decided on a car for their teenager, what features they looked for, and how they included their child in the process.
Best used cars under $15,000: Abstract | CarMax

10 Best Used Cars Under $15K: Reviews, Photos, and More

Car shopping on a budget doesn't have to limit your style. We've compiled a list of the best used cars under $15,000 for 2021 shoppers. From the Kia Rio to the Ford Focus, this list features vehicles that check all the boxes, without breaking the bank.
Best Diesel Cars: Abstract | CarMax

Best Used Diesel Cars

If you're looking for a fuel-sipping car, why not pick one with a diesel powertrain? Find out more about the benefits—and choose one that suits your lifestyle—with this list of the best used diesel cars, based on CarMax sales data from January 10, 2020 through March 31, 2021.
10 Cars That Get Great Gas Mileage

10 Cars That Get Great Gas Mileage

These 10 cars are some of our most popular* vehicles, and they all get over 25 MPG. Whether you want to buy a car that's sporty and fun, practical and comfortable, or luxurious and full of options, there's a high-MPG car for you.

Want to view more trending articles?

Research other vehicles


* Price excludes taxes, title, registration, and fees. Applicable transfer fees are due in advance of vehicle delivery and are separate from sales transactions.

We hope you found this information helpful. This content is intended to inform and is not meant to indicate that a particular vehicle is currently available or recommended for you.​

Statements of fuel economy or EV range are based on EPA and other third-party estimates for vehicles when new. Fuel economy and EV range will degrade with time and vary based on age, driving conditions, vehicle history, and other conditions. See fueleconomy.gov for more info.

Unless otherwise noted, information related to featured vehicles comes from third-party sources, including manufacturer information. Product and company names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of third-party entities. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by these entities.​ By clicking on any video links, you will be taken to a third-party site maintained by YouTube, Inc.

We make every effort to provide accurate information, but please verify before purchasing.