2015 Chevrolet Cruze

Visually, the Chevrolet Cruze is only moderately smaller than its bigger brother, the Malibu mid-size sedan that's been cursed by its lack of rear passenger room. Visibility from the Cruze is also better than that in the Malibu thanks to a significantly lower beltline.

An optional RS Appearance Package kicks up the Cruze's visual sportiness on LT and LTZ trims with unique front and rear fascia treatments, fog lamps, "aero" rocker mouldings, and a rear spoiler. Changes continue on the inside with icy blue backlighting, unique instrument cluster bezels, and chrome accent treatments on choice controls.

The Chevrolet Cruze saves its best for where buyers spend most of their time: inside the car. Overall, the cabin is still impressive with high-quality materials throughout; it's an ambiance that GM got right from the start, five years ago, and it's changed little since. This year there are new cupholders, and its trunk release and door-lock releases levers have been moved to more convenient locations (the center console and door panel, respectively).

Inside, the Cruze features a watered-down variation of Chevrolet's "twin cockpit" design that takes a different direction than the horizontal, shelf-like dashes in many other newer sedans. Still, it's able to blend style with function; hard plastics aren't typical of the cheap materials found in this segment and everything's within reach of the driver.

As has been the case since Chevrolet introduced the Cruze, fit and finish are excellent. Rubber grips on knobs and well-placed padding throughout the interior bring some intelligence to the Cruze's cabin. Uphostery, even in base models, has a high-quality feel, while leather-trimmed models feature impressive exposed seat stitching that adds a level of luxuriousness. Our only real gripe with the interior has to do with its center console armrest that doesn't extend forward far enough.

The Chevrolet Cruze diesel is well worth considering, even though it's only offered in a single model and trim. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel cranks out 151 hp and a strong 264 lb-ft of torque. Unfortunately, there's no manual transmission, but its six-speed automatic is beefier than that used in gas models. Diesel emissions are kept to a minimum with three different exhaust after-treatment solutions, all but eliminating smoke and soot. And like many diesels, it will eclipse its 33 mpg combined EPA fuel economy rating—especially if you tend to do more highway or long-distance driving.

The diesel is a bit slow from a dead stop. But once it builds turbo pressure, its superb mid-range torque makes for great highway cruising. Unfortunately, that lack of low-rev power is annoying around town in stop-and-go traffic. Bringing everything to a stop on the diesel are larger front disc brakes, which are jumpy but necessary considering the additional weight added by the diesel engine and associated emissions equipment. The diesel's low-rolling-resistance tires also start to give way on corners much earlier than those equipped on its gasoline counterparts.

We recommend choosing an engine that better suits your driving type and style for maximum benefit. If you mostly tool around town or the city, the 1.4T is the best choice—especially in Cruze Eco form for those looking to best maximize fuel economy. But if you're a road warrior, traveling long distances on America's many Interstates, the diesel offers the best blend of fuel efficiency and mid-range grunt, but it will also set you back around $25,000. That's a lot for a compact.

While the Chevrolet Cruze is a competent handler, it's more attune to family sedan duty. Its independent rear suspension makes easy work of broken pavement by staying planted, but the Cruze's strong suit is its comfortable ride that's never busy or harsh. That compliant ride does come at the expense of additional body roll versus other compacts, which discourages enthusiastic driving. But overall, even though the Cruze won't be hitting the autocross track anytime soon, it does inspire confidence in one's daily commute.

Rear drums on base model Cruze LS models keep costs low for entry-level buyers, while all other trims receive four-wheel disc brakes as standard. LT models are fitted with a touring suspension, while higher end 2LT and top-level LTZ trim Cruzes are afforded a sport-tuned suspenion with stiffer springs, retuned shocks, and a ride height that's a half-inch lower than the touring suspension. If most of your time is spent on the highway, opt for the touring suspension if options packages and trim choice allows. Otherwise, the sport suspension offers better dynamics and doesn't give up much comfort.

Up front, the Cruze offers comfortable seating with great ergonomics, even on base models fitted with manual height- and tilt-adjustable driver seats. Optional power adjustable front seats increase comfort for larger drivers who need to stretch their legs. And smaller drivers will find the Cruze fits their needs, too, with its lower beltline for better visibility and a tilt and telescopic steering wheel for additional comfort.

At the second row is where the Cruze begins to show its true compact classification. Limited width means you can only seat two adults comfortably in the rear seat, though you can still seat three in a pinch. Otherwise, there's more rear-seat legroom than you'd expect, even when placed behind taller drivers and front passengers, while seat materials feel of a higher quality than you'd find in the back of the Hyundai Elantra. And while the Cruze is home to a large trunk, those rear seats can be folded flat for larger items, and there's even a compartment under the trunk's floor for additional odds and ends.

Refinement is the Cruze's trump card thanks to numerous sound insulation and baffling measures atypical of the class—such as nylon sound baffles beneath its body work, triple door seals, and even an acoustic headliner. Its these efforts that make Chevrolet's compact a more calmer, quieter conveyance than any of its competitors. However, this refinement comes with a caveat: the Cruze Eco's weight-saving measures make for a slightly less quiet experience. But it's these measures—lightweight alloy wheels, lighter speakers, simpler rear suspension, active grille shutters, and higher gearing to name a few—that make the Cruze Eco's 40-mpg-plus highway fuel economy rating possible.

Moving away from the gas-powered Cruze, the turbodiesel also delivers a quiet, serene cabin, though the stereotypical tick-tick heard from diesel engines is evident when outside the vehicle. Thankfully, the Cruze diesel's aftertreatment systems keep visibile tailpipe emissions to a minimum; you won't see a Cruze diesel with a soot-covered rear bumper.

Worldwide, the Chevrolet Cruze has performed exceedingly well in crash testing—from Euro NCAP and ANCAP in Australia, to KNCAP in Korea to C-NCAP in China—with only slight variations to its basic structure for each market.

Visibility, also a big factor in overall vehicle safety, is excellent in the Cruze thanks to a low beltline and a rearview camera included on all models.

But it's the LT trim that's proved most popular. USB input, Bluetooth, chrome wheels, power rearview mirrors, and remote start add a level of convenience demanded by modern compact buyers. Those wanting to option up further can opt for the 2LT's 16-inch alloys, leather seating with heated front seats, power driver's seat, cruise control, and steering-wheel-mounted audio controls.

Both LTZ and Diesel models are similarly equipped except for the engine itself. Those features include 18-inch flangeless alloy wheels, heated mirrors, automatic climate control, fancier gauges, and park assist. The diesel model will tip the financial scales at about $25,000.

OnStar is provided on a six-month trial basis on all new Cruzes and offers the Directions and Connections service, which let's you call an OnStar operator who then beams navigation directions to your car. We've found the service tremendously useful, but you'll need to subscribe to OnStar and pay a monthly fee after the six-month trial. Alternatively, the Cruze LTZ can be optioned with traditional touch-screen navigation.

And for 2015, the Cruze now can be equipped with an upgraded version of the MyLink infotainment system—Siri Eyes Free connectivity for iPhones. It will offer a new Text Message Alerts feature that can read incoming texts. The new OnStar 4G LTE high-speed embedded data connection will also be available, including Wi-Fi hotspot capability; and the system now has a seven-inch touch screen, additional USB ports, available navigation, and an (upcoming) AppShop.

The Cruze Eco model is a fuel-efficiency special without the complication and weight of hybrid components. Instead, this model trims about 25 pounds altogether, with marginally thinner steel panels, smaller welds, and reduced flanges at its welded joints. Its lower ride height (about the same as the Sport models), a rear spoiler, a larger front air dam, active grille panels to block airflow when it's not needed for engine cooling, and an underbody air diverter are among its features that improve mpg by cutting aerodynamic drag.

The Eco delivers up to 33 mpg combined in the Cruze Eco with a six-speed manual gearbox (28 mpg city, 42 mpg highway). That drops to 31 mpg combined with the six-speed automatic (26 mpg city, 39 mpg highway).

To help boost mileage in stop-and-go driving, all Cruze models with the automatic transmission also get a neutral idle feature that automatically disengages the torque converter when sitting at stoplights in Drive.

The 2015 Cruse Diesel is your other efficiency-minded option. As with most diesels, it overdelivers on its EPA ratings when used at highway speeds (especially in warm weather). At its EPA highway rating of 46 mpg, it can provide more than 700 miles of range.