How big is the back seat of a 2017 Chevy Cruze?
The back seat offers about 35.5–36 inches of rear legroom, roughly 37–38 inches of headroom, and about 53–54 inches of shoulder room, making it usable for two adults and workable for a third on shorter trips.
The 2017 Cruze is a compact sedan from Chevrolet that emphasizes efficiency while delivering a practical rear seating area. This article breaks down the key dimensions and what they mean for comfort and cargo, helping you judge whether the back seat fits your needs.
Rear-seat dimensions at a glance
Before the measurements, a quick note on what space matters most in back seats: legroom, headroom, and shoulder room influence comfort on trips of varying lengths.
- Rear legroom: approximately 35.5–36 inches.
- Rear headroom: around 37–38 inches.
- Rear shoulder room: roughly 53–54 inches across the seating area.
- Rear seat width and seating positions: a 3-abreast bench that fits three across, with the center seat tighter for adults.
These figures translate into everyday comfort: two adults will usually be comfortable; a third passenger is possible but less comfortable for longer drives.
Real-world comfort and cargo implications
Passenger experience
Tall riders may feel limited knee space if the front seats are pushed forward, and the center seat is best reserved for children or shorter trips. Cushioning and seatbacks influence perceived space as much as raw measurements.
Cargo and fold-down options
The Cruze’s 60/40-split rear bench can be folded to expand trunk capacity, helping with larger items or luggage when passengers are present in the back.
Trim-level variations
Across the 2017 Cruze lineup, the overall back-seat footprint remains consistent, with differences in comfort largely driven by upholstery and seat cushioning rather than the fundamental dimensions.
How the Cruze compares with peers
When lined up against rivals such as the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, and Ford Focus from the same era, the Cruze offers rear dimensions that are competitive for compact sedans, with some competitors providing slightly more legroom or shoulder room in certain trims.
Summary
The back seat of the 2017 Chevy Cruze provides a practical balance of space and versatility for a compact sedan: about 35.5–36 inches of legroom, 37–38 inches of headroom, and roughly 53–54 inches of shoulder room. It seats three abreast in a pinch, and the 60/40 rear fold-down capability helps maximize cargo when needed. For most trips, two adults will be comfortable in the back, with a third passenger suitable for shorter journeys.
Notes on real-world usage
If you regularly haul three adults or taller passengers, you may want to test sit in the Cruze to confirm comfort for your typical seating positions, and consider how front-seat position impacts rear legroom on longer trips.
Summary: The 2017 Cruze back seat offers typical compact-sedan space—adequate for two adults and usable for a third, with folding rear seats that boost cargo capacity when needed.
