How much was a Chevy Cruze new?
The price of a new Chevy Cruze varied, but you could expect roughly $16,995 to $28,000 when it was new—depending on year, trim and options.
Chevrolet introduced the Cruze for the U.S. market for the 2010 model year to compete in the compact-car segment. The model ran through two generations before production ended in 2019. The MSRP changed over time as redesigns added technology, safety features, and improved efficiency. The following ranges reflect typical U.S. MSRPs for common configurations across the Cruze's lifespan.
Prices are before destination charges and before any dealer incentives, and actual paid prices vary by region and time of purchase.
Pricing overview by generation and trim
The following ranges summarize typical MSRP for common Cruze configurations in the United States across its two generations.
- First generation (roughly 2010–2015 US market): Base LS commonly started in the mid-teens, LT models generally sat higher in the low-to-mid $20k range, and LTZ top trims commonly landed around the low to mid $23k–$24k mark, depending on options.
- Second generation (roughly 2016–2019 US market): Base models typically began in the upper teens to around $18k, mid-level LT models often ranged from about $21k to $23k, and top-tier Premier/LTZ configurations could approach the upper $20k to the high $20k range, with fully loaded variants near $27k–$28k.
These ranges provide a general sense of what buyers paid when the Cruze was new. Actual prices varied by year, trim, optional packages, and regional incentives.
What influenced the price range?
Several factors influenced how much a new Cruze cost at purchase time:
- Trim level and available options, including emerge-n technology and safety packages
- Transmission choice (manual vs. automatic) and drivetrain configuration
- Model year updates and redesigns that added features or improved efficiency
- Regional market differences, dealer pricing tactics, and incentives
- Destination charges and taxes not included in the base MSRP
Understanding these factors helps explain why the Cruze’s price could vary by thousands of dollars from one configuration to another within the same year.
Current availability and what that means for price
Chevrolet ended Cruze production after the 2019 model year. As a result, new stock today is extremely limited and typically only exists as final-year inventory or in special dealer inventories from earlier years. For buyers today, the most common scenario is purchasing a used Cruze, where prices depend on mileage, condition, model year, and local market dynamics.
In short, a new Chevy Cruze historically ranged from the mid-teens to the upper $20k range for standard configurations, with fully loaded versions reaching toward the high $20k or near $28k. Since production ended, the practical path for buyers seeking new-cruze pricing is to evaluate remaining stock from late-model years or to consider similar compact offerings from Chevrolet or rivals.
Summary
When new, the Chevy Cruze spanned a broad price band driven by year, trim and options. Early models typically started in the mid-teens, while higher trims climbed into the low-to-mid $20k range, and top configurations neared $28k. The two-generation arc (2010–2015 and 2016–2019) reflected evolving features and technology. With production discontinued after 2019, prospective buyers now largely encounter used examples, with only limited new-stock opportunities remaining.
How much is a 2025 Chevy Cruze?
A 2025 Chevy Cruze does not exist because Chevrolet discontinued the model after the 2019 model year, and there are no plans for its return. The 2019 model's discontinuation was due to a decline in the popularity of sedans in favor of SUVs and crossovers, according to CarBuzz.
- No 2025 model: Chevrolet does not produce a 2025 Cruze.
- Last model year: The last model year for the Cruze was 2019.
- Reason for discontinuation: The vehicle was discontinued due to market shifts toward SUVs and crossovers, according to CarBuzz.
- Alternative models: Chevy currently offers other vehicles, such as the Trax, Trailblazer, and Equinox, which have starting prices ranging from approximately $20,500 to $36,698 for 2025 models, notes Gold Rush Chevrolet and Chevrolet Canada.
Why did Chevy discontinue the Cruze?
Chevy discontinued the Cruze primarily because of a nationwide shift in consumer preference away from sedans and toward SUVs and trucks. This market trend, coupled with General Motors' strategic decision to focus its efforts and capital on developing more profitable crossover SUVs and its future lineup of electric vehicles, led to the Cruze's production ending in North America in 2019.
- Consumer preference: Consumers began choosing SUVs over sedans, leading to lower sales for compact cars like the Cruze.
- Strategic shift: GM decided to focus on more popular and profitable vehicle types, such as SUVs and trucks.
- Focus on electric vehicles: GM began investing heavily in its future lineup of all-electric vehicles, which led to phasing out many of its traditional gasoline-powered sedans and compact cars.
- Cost-cutting measures: The discontinuation was also part of a broader cost-cutting plan by GM that included closing plants and reducing the workforce.
Why is Chevy Cruze so cheap?
Chevy Cruzes are cheap primarily due to a combination of factors, including poor resale value driven by a reputation for lower build quality and reliability issues, the initial design goal of being a budget-friendly car, and Chevrolet's history of offering incentives and high production volumes that lead to lower prices on the used market.
Reasons for low price
- Lower quality and perceived reliability: The Cruze has a reputation for poor build quality, and some model years have specific, frequently reported issues like turbo problems, engine troubles, and electrical glitches. This perception impacts its resale value.
- Poor resale value: Like many GM products, Cruzes depreciate quickly, making them significantly cheaper to buy used compared to some competitors.
- Budget-focused design: The car was originally designed to be an inexpensive and practical daily driver with a reasonable price tag, directly competing with other budget cars.
- Market shift: The market has shifted away from smaller sedans like the Cruze toward SUVs and trucks, leading to declining sales and a less desirable used car for many buyers.
- Rental car fleet: The Cruze was a common choice for car rental agencies due to its low purchase price, which contributes to a large supply of used models on the market.
- High production volume: Chevrolet produced a high volume of Cruzes, which can drive down the price for buyers.
How much is a Chevy Cruze brand new?
The Chevrolet Cruze was discontinued after the 2019 model year, so it cannot be purchased brand new today. The original MSRP for a new 2019 model started around $17,995 for the base L model and went up to approximately $26,120 for the top-trim Diesel Hatchback model.
Original Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for a 2019 Chevrolet Cruze:
- Starting Price (L Sedan): ~$17,995
- LS Hatchback: ~$20,495
- LT Sedan: ~$22,595
- Premier Sedan: ~$24,395
- LT Diesel Hatchback: ~$26,995
Important Note:
- Chevrolet stopped producing the Cruze, with the 2019 model being the last one. This means you cannot buy a brand new one in 2025.
- Prices listed above are what a new vehicle would have cost when it was sold. You can now only purchase them on the used car market.
