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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Engine | 1.4L 4-Cylinder |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (S6) |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Regular |
| City / Hwy MPG | 30 / 40 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 34 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $2,000 |
| CO₂ Emissions | 261 g/mi |
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
| Body Style | Sedan |
| Base Price | $16,488–$19,584 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
With an overall Carivo score of 6.8/10, the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze earns a Good rating among the sedans we've scored. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 7.8/10, while Performance at 6.2/10 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. We rate reliability at 6.3/10 — below the segment average in our scoring. Budget for potentially higher maintenance costs and check the recall record below before buying. On safety it earns 7.8/10: respectable, if not class-leading — several competitors bundle more driver-assist tech as standard. Check your trim's official ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance at 6.2/10 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 6.5/10 — 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 $16,488–$19,584, 24 MPG, seating 5, the Chevrolet Cruze sits in the budget-friendly tier of the sedan market. Value lands at 7.5/10 — you get what you pay for, no more and no less, with a few rivals offering slightly better per-dollar returns. At 10 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Bottom line: There's a case for the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze, but it needs the right buyer. Its technology and reliability and performance scores trail the class, and several higher-rated rivals sell for similar money — comparison-shop before committing.
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 →
The 2016 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 $16,488 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $27,664 by about 40%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking →
Across the Cruze model years we've scored, the 2016 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting 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 (this review) | 6.8/10 | $16,488 | |
| 2015 | 6.8/10 | $15,837 | Read review → |
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.
| Fuel system, gasoline 10/05/2018 · 18V304000 | General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Chevrolet Cruze LS vehicles, equipped with a gasoline engine and a tire inflator kit instead of a spare tire. The vehicles may leak gasoline following a rear-impact crash and a rollover. As such,… |
|---|---|
| Seats / Front assembly / Head restraint 26/01/2017 · 17V057000 | General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles. A bracket used in the driver or front passenger seat-back recliner mechanism may have been incorrectly welded to the seat-back frame, as a result, in the event of a crash,… |
| Exterior lighting / Headlights 01/07/2016 · 16V498000 | General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Cruze vehicles manufactured November 5, 2015, to May 26, 2016. The headlight assemblies are not marked with a three-digit identifier code used to properly aim the headlights. As such, these… |
| 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,… |
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
Explore the full lineup of Chevrolet models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.