2026 Chevy Cruze Specs , Colors, Redesign – In a 2026 Big Test that also included the Honda Civic, Mazda3, Nissan Sentra, Toyota Corolla, Hyundai Elantra, and the previous-generation Volkswagen Jetta, the Chevrolet Cruze placed second thanks to its comfortable ride, buttoned down chassis, and tightly controlled body motions. However, its low-speed ride was busy compared to its rivals.
Its interior was finished in a cool two-tone color scheme but had quality issues such as a rocking driver’s seat. In a 2026 First Test, we were impressed with the Cruze’s infotainment system, which was easy to use and easily integrates smartphones. Road noise, on the other hand, does get excessive with the larger alloy wheel options.
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2026 Chevy Cruze Redesign and Update Plan
Exterior and Interior
The 2026 front-drive The subcompact Sonic is positioned below the midsize Malibu, while the Chevrolet Cruze is a little sedan and hatchback that stands above it. There are four distinct trim options available. Cruze L: Equipped with a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system from Chevrolet, cloth upholstery, a four-speaker audio system, a USB port, 15-inch steel rims, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connection, and more, the lowest L trim level comes with a rearview camera. Cruze LS: Adding a compass, floor mats, and an armrest to the center console are the benefits of upgrading to the LS grade. Cruze LT: The LT model has 16-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, LED daytime running lights, 60/40 split-folding back seats, and a six-speaker audio system.
Cruze Diesel: Standard features for diesel-powered vehicles include heated front seats, an eight-way power-operated driver’s seat, keyless entry/start, and remote start on automatic models. The manual-equipped Cruze Diesel hatchback also comes standard with the RS package, which adds a body kit, fog lights, a roof spoiler, 18-inch alloy wheels, and a Watt’s Link rear suspension for improved ride quality.
2026 Chevy Cruze Specs
Range-topping Premier trim comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, ambient lighting, a heated steering wheel, leather upholstery, a Watt’s Link rear suspension, and a USB charging port for rear passengers. Options include a larger 8.0-inch touchscreen, a sunroof, a nine-speaker Bose audio system, a 4.2-inch multi-information display, heated rear seats, automatic climate control, and wireless phone charging. Most of the available options are available on automatic-equipped models while some are limited to the range-topping Premier trim. Diesel models miss out on features such as navigation, wireless phone charging, and heated rear seats. 2026 Chevy Cruze Specs
Engine and Performance
The 1.4-liter turbo-four engine of the 2026 Cruze has a baseline output of 153 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque. Either a manual or automated six-speed transmission can be used with it. A 1.6-liter turbodiesel I-4 engine with 137 horsepower and 240 lb-ft of torque is also present. It can be coupled with a new nine-speed automatic transmission that was jointly designed by Ford and General Motors, or it can be attached to a six-speed manual transmission.
Available on trim versions LT and higher, the optional split-folding rear seats expand the 2026 Cruze sedan’s 13.9 cubic foot trunk. When the back seats are folded, the hatchback provides an extra 22.7 cubic feet of room; when they are not, it offers 47.2 cubic feet.
2026 Chevy Cruze Fuel Economy
EPA fuel economy ratings for the 2026 Cruze sedan are 27/40 mpg city/highway for the manual and 29/40 mpg with the automatic. Premier models are less efficient at 29/39 mpg. The hatchback is rated at 27/38 mpg with the manual and 29/38 mpg with the automatic. As in the sedan, the Premier trim on the hatch takes a hit in fuel economy and is rated at 28/37 mpg. 2026 Chevy Cruze Specs
Diesel-powered models are the most efficient, with the EPA rating the Cruze sedan at 31/47 mpg with the manual and 30/52 mpg with the automatic. Hatchback variants powered by the diesel engine are a smidge less efficient at 29/48 mpg with the manual or 30/45 mpg with the automatic.
2026 Chevy Cruze Safety Features
The NHTSA awarded the Chevrolet Cruze a five-star overall safety rating (out of a potential five stars). The 2026 Cruze was only put through side and moderate front overlap impact testing in IIHS examinations, where it was given a Good grade (Good being the highest possible score). Additionally, it was rated as Basic in the front crash prevention test conducted by the IIHS due to the availability of a frontal collision warning system (Superior being the best possible score).
Lane change assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert are available as part of the Driver Confidence package on the LT, Premier, and automatic-equipped Diesel models. The Driver Confidence II package, which is only available on the Premier trim, includes following distance indicator, forward collision warning, automatic high beams, lane departure warning, and lane keeping assist. Diesel-powered models equipped with an automatic transmission are available only with the Driver Confidence package. 2026 Chevy Cruze Specs
2026 Chevy Cruze Price and Release Date
The Chevrolet is unwavering in its determination to ensure that the 2026 Cruze Sedan is an affordable option for drivers of all financial means. There has never been a period when it was more feasible to purchase a Cruze than it is right now. This is because there are a variety of flexible financing options available, and the prices are comparable to those of similarly priced vehicles. 2026 Chevy Cruze Specs
