Is a Chevy Cruze a full-size car?
No. The Chevy Cruze is a compact car, not a full-size sedan.
Launched in 2008 for global markets, the Cruze was Chevrolet’s entry in the compact segment—a five-seat sedan and hatchback designed for efficiency and value. It is significantly smaller than full-size models such as the Impala or Taurus, a distinction that held across most markets. In North America, sales ended after the 2019 model year, and the Cruze is no longer offered new in the region. The key takeaway is clear: the Cruze is a compact, not a full-size, vehicle.
Size classification and Cruze positioning
Automotive size classes are defined mainly by exterior length, interior space, and regional naming conventions. The Cruze sits in the compact category (often labeled C-segment in Europe and similar classifications elsewhere), which places it well below the length and interior volume of full-size sedans.
Body styles and variants
Chevrolet offered the Cruze in several body styles, with sedan and hatchback variants available in various markets. The different bodies affected practicality and cargo access but not the fundamental size class.
- Sedan: Traditional four-door configuration with a conventional trunk
- Hatchback: Five-door layout with a rear hatch for cargo versatility
These body styles enhanced usability while keeping the car within the compact category, making the Cruze a practical choice for small families and urban driving.
Production timeline and current status
Understanding where the Cruze stood in the market requires a brief look at its production timeline and current availability.
- 2008: Global introduction of the Cruze on GM's Delta II platform, with sedan and hatch variants
- 2011-2016/2017: Second-generation Cruze arrives, offering updated styling, efficiency, and features
- 2019: Chevrolet ends Cruze sales in North America; production winds down in several regions around this period
Today, new Chevrolet Cruzes are not sold in the United States or Canada. In other regions, the model was phased out at different times, and buyers interested in a Cruze typically turn to used examples or explore other compact sedans in Chevrolet’s lineup. The essential size takeaway remains unchanged: the Cruze is a compact car, not a full-size one.
Summary
The Chevy Cruze is categorically a compact car, not a full-size vehicle. It offered sedan and hatchback options within the compact segment and enjoyed a production run spanning more than a decade before being discontinued in North America in 2019. For buyers seeking full-size Chevrolet options, the brand historically shifted focus to larger sedans and, more recently, to crossovers and SUVs, rather than to compact sedans like the Cruze.
What size is a Chevy Cruze considered?
The dimensions for the Chevrolet Cruze vary by model year and body style, but for a recent sedan, typical measurements are 183.7 inches long, 70.5 inches wide, and 57.4 inches high. The wheelbase is often around 106.3 inches, and it has a front and rear shoulder room of approximately 54.9 and 53.2 inches, respectively.
Exterior dimensions
- Length: Approximately 183.7 inches (sedan) or 175.3 inches (hatchback)
- Width: Approximately 70.5 inches
- Height: Approximately 57.4 inches (sedan) or 57.7 inches (hatchback)
- Wheelbase: Approximately 106.3 inches
Interior dimensions (based on a recent model)
- Front Headroom: 38.9 inches
- Front Legroom: 42.0 inches
- Front Shoulder Room: 54.9 inches
- Rear Headroom: 37.3 inches
- Rear Legroom: 36.1 inches
- Rear Shoulder Room: 53.2 inches
Cargo dimensions
- Cargo Capacity (all seats in place): Approximately 14.8 cubic feet
Is a Chevy Cruze considered a full-size car?
The Chevrolet Cruze is a compact car produced by General Motors from 2008 through 2023.
What is the size of the Chevy Cruze?
The Chevrolet Cruze dimensions vary by body style and year, but for recent models (like the 2018-2019 sedan), the exterior is approximately 183.7183.7183.7 inches long, 70.570.570.5 inches wide, and 57.457.457.4 inches high. A hatchback version is slightly shorter at 175.3175.3175.3 inches long, but has the same width and height as the sedan.
Sedan dimensions (2018-2019)
- Length: 183.7183.7183.7 inches
- Width: 70.570.570.5 inches (without mirrors)
- Height: 57.457.457.4 inches
- Wheelbase: 106.3106.3106.3 inches
Hatchback dimensions (2018-2019)
- Length: 175.3175.3175.3 inches
- Width: 70.570.570.5 inches
- Height: 57.757.757.7 inches
- Wheelbase: 106.3106.3106.3 inches
Interior dimensions (2019 Hatchback)
- Front Headroom: 38.938.938.9 inches
- Front Leg Room: 42.042.042.0 inches
- Front Shoulder Room: 54.954.954.9 inches
- Rear Headroom: 37.837.837.8 inches
- Rear Leg Room: 36.136.136.1 inches
- Rear Shoulder Room: 53.253.253.2 inches
What type of car is a Chevy Cruze?
A Chevy Cruze is a compact car that was produced by General Motors in both four-door sedan and five-door hatchback body styles. It was designed as a global model and replaced several other compact cars in different markets, like the Cobalt in North America. The Cruze is no longer sold in the U.S. as of the 2019 model year.
- Body styles: The Cruze was offered as a four-door sedan and a five-door hatchback.
- Market position: It competed in the compact car segment against rivals like the Honda Civic and Ford Focus.
- Production: It was produced from 2008 until 2023, with a discontinuation in the U.S. after the 2019 model year.
- Key features: It featured various engine options, including a turbocharged 1.4L, and was known for its fuel efficiency, comfortable interior, and available tech features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
