What kind of transmission does a 2012 Chevy Cruze have?
Two options were offered: a six-speed manual and a six-speed automatic, depending on trim and engine.
Two transmission options, two driving experiences
Automotive buyers of the 2012 Cruze could choose between manual and automatic transmissions. Here’s how they break down across the lineup.
- 6-speed manual transmission (Getrag 6MT): commonly paired with the 1.8L inline-four engine and also offered with the 1.4L turbo on certain trims, delivering a traditional stick-shift driving experience.
- 6-speed automatic transmission (GM 6T40): the more common choice for automatic shoppers, paired with both the 1.8L and 1.4L turbo engines and providing automatic shifting with optional manual shifting mode.
The dual-transmission setup gave Cruze buyers flexibility: efficiency and smooth operation with the automatic, or greater engagement with the manual. The 6T40 automatic is a widely used GM front‑wheel‑drive six‑speed auto, while the Getrag 6MT is a robust manual option used in many small GM cars of the era.
Engine-transmission pairing details
To help sort which engine option could be found with which transmission in 2012 Cruze models, here is a concise summary across the common configurations.
- 1.8L engine: available with either a six-speed manual (Getrag 6MT) or a six-speed automatic (GM 6T40).
- 1.4L turbo engine: likewise offered with both a six-speed manual and a six-speed automatic, depending on the trim level.
In practice, most 2012 Cruze trims favored the automatic for convenience, but manual transmissions remained a viable option for drivers seeking greater control or fuel economy with the 1.8L engine.
Driving and maintenance considerations
The choice of transmission can affect fuel economy ratings, shift feel, and maintenance costs. Manuals typically have simpler maintenance with fewer potential issues, while automatics add complexity but emphasize ease of use, especially in heavy traffic.
Summary
The 2012 Chevy Cruze offered two main transmission choices: a 6-speed manual (Getrag 6MT) and a 6-speed automatic (GM 6T40), available with the 1.8L or the 1.4L turbo engines depending on trim. Buyers could select based on preference for driving experience or convenience.
In summary, the Cruze's transmission lineup mirrors many compact cars of the era: two options, flexible across engines, with the automatic being the more common default choice among buyers.
