2015 Chevrolet Cruze — Carivo review carivo.co
Sedan

2015 Chevrolet Cruze

Independent review & score by Carivo

Price Range $15,837–$18,240
Fuel Economy 23 MPG
Seating 5 passengers
Category Sedan
Est. Annual Fuel $2,283/yr

Key Specifications — 2015 Chevrolet Cruze

Engine1.4L 4-Cylinder
TransmissionAutomatic (S6)
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Fuel TypeRegular
City / Hwy MPG26 / 36 MPG
Combined MPG30 MPG
Est. Annual Fuel Cost$2,250
CO₂ Emissions300 g/mi
Seating Capacity5 passengers
Body StyleSedan
Base Price$15,837–$18,240

Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.

About the 2015 Chevrolet Cruze

The 2015 Chevrolet Cruze is a sedan that earns a Carivo score of 6.8/10 — rated Good. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 7.7/10, while Performance at 5.9/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional sedan — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.

Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. At 6.4/10 for reliability, this sedan trails its segment. That doesn't rule it out, but go in with eyes open on running costs. Safety lands at 7.7/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Performance at 5.9/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. Technology scores 6.4/10 — the infotainment and driver-assist features feel dated against current-generation rivals. This is worth weighing if you prioritize connected features or modern safety tech.

Priced from $15,837–$18,240, 23 MPG, seating 5, the Chevrolet Cruze sits in the budget-friendly tier of the sedan market. At 7.5/10 for value, it delivers fair pricing for what's on offer, though the best alternatives in this price range score slightly higher. At 11 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.

Verdict: The 2015 Chevrolet Cruze sits in the middle of the field. Until its reliability and technology and performance scores improve, stronger options exist at this price. Worth a look if it fits a specific need; otherwise use our compare tool against the segment leaders first.

Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →

How It Ranks Among Sedans

The 2015 Chevrolet Cruze ranks #1169 of 1310 sedans in the Carivo database — better than 11% of the segment. Its 6.8/10 overall score is 0.7 points below the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $15,837 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $27,664 by about 43%.

Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking →

Which Cruze Year Should You Buy?

Across the Cruze model years we've scored, the 2015 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.

YearScoreStarting price (MSRP when new)
2019 7.0/10$18,440 Read review →
2018 6.9/10$17,789 Read review →
2017 6.9/10$17,139 Read review →
2016 6.8/10$16,488 Read review →
2015 (this review) 6.8/10$15,837

Pros & Cons — 2015 Chevrolet Cruze

✓ What it does well

  • Strong safety ratings from NHTSA and independent testers
  • Good overall value; holds its own against pricier alternatives in the segment
  • Accessible entry price makes it one of the more affordable options in the category

✗ Where it falls short

  • Below-average reliability data — factor in potential repair and maintenance costs
  • Performance is a genuine liability — well below class rivals and worth factoring into any decision
  • Infotainment and tech features feel dated compared to newer rivals in this segment

NHTSA Recalls — 2015 Chevrolet Cruze (4 on record)

The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Electrical system / Ignition
05/07/2016 · 16V502000
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,…
Parking brake
27/02/2015 · 15V113000
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…
Seat belts / Front / Anchorage
23/12/2015 · 15V876000
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.
Steering
10/07/2015 · 15V442000
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…

Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.

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