When was the last year they made the Chevy Cruze?
The last year the Chevy Cruze was produced was 2019. General Motors ended Cruze production in North America after the 2019 model year, effectively retiring the nameplate in most markets. The compact sedan had a global run starting in 2008, with the U.S. market joining the lineup in 2011, followed by a mid-cycle refresh in the mid-2010s before a broad industry shift away from small sedans.
Timeline of Cruze production
Below is a concise chronology of the Cruze, highlighting the key milestones and the period when production ceased in major markets.
- 2008: Chevrolet announces the Cruze for global markets, designed to replace several older compact cars with a modern global platform.
- 2011: The Cruze reaches the United States as a compact sedan, produced at General Motors' Lordstown Assembly in Ohio for the North American market.
- 2016: Mid-cycle refresh brings updated styling, technology, and efficiency improvements across most markets.
- 2019: GM announces the end of Cruze production in North America; the final model year for the Cruze in the United States and Canada is 2019, marking the global wind-down of the nameplate in many markets.
The milestones above outline the core arc of the Cruze's lifecycle in North America and its global presence, culminating in the decision to discontinue production in the late 2010s.
Current status by market
Understanding where the Cruze stood after production ended in North America helps clarify the model's final chapter. A brief look at the status in major regions:
- United States and Canada: Production ended after the 2019 model year; Cruze was not renewed for 2020 and later, with dealerships selling remaining stock into 2019–2020 in some areas.
- Europe and other markets: Similar discontinuations occurred around 2019–2020, with the Cruze eventually replaced by competing models or other GM sedans in those regions.
- China and other Asia-Pacific markets: The Cruze nameplate was gradually phased out in favor of other GM products or renamed models in various joint ventures; production for a true Cruze ceased in the late 2010s to early 2020s.
Overall, while the Cruze existed for over a decade across many regions, GM officially ceased production of the model by 2019, and the nameplate is largely retired in the modern GM lineup as of the mid-2020s.
Summary
In short, the Chevrolet Cruze last rolled off assembly lines in 2019, ending its decade-long run as GM's global compact sedan. The model launched in 2008, reached North America in 2011, underwent a mid-cycle refresh in the mid-2010s, and was discontinued across major markets by 2019, with any remaining stock sold through 2019–2020. Today, the Cruze nameplate remains retired in GM's lineup.
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.
What is the most reliable year of the Chevy Cruze?
2016-2019 Chevrolet Cruze
The 2016–2019 model years of the Chevrolet Cruze are regarded as some of the most reliable in the sedan's history, addressing almost all the concerns owners of its predecessor faced. The second-gen Cruze was an extensive upgrade over the model it replaced – in every sense.
Is Chevy making a 2025 Cruze?
The 2025 Chevrolet Cruze features a 1.4-liter turbocharged engine that delivers up to 153 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque. This engine is paired with either a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission. It comes with smooth shifts and a responsive driving experience.
What car replaced the Chevy Cruze?
The Chevrolet Trax is the most direct replacement for the discontinued Chevy Cruze, especially in markets like Latin America and the US. Chevrolet shifted its focus from sedans to SUVs like the Trax and other crossover models, with the larger Malibu serving as a similar gas-powered sedan alternative.
Direct replacement
- Chevrolet Trax: This compact SUV is considered the official replacement for the Cruze, a move made to align with shifting consumer preferences towards SUVs over sedans.
- Strategic positioning: The Trax is designed to fill a gap in the market, providing a new, technology-rich, and stylish option in place of the Cruze.
Alternative sedan
- Chevrolet Malibu: If a gas-powered, four-door sedan is still desired, the Malibu is the closest option in the current Chevy lineup.
Why the change?
- Market trends: The decision to replace the Cruze was driven by a significant decline in sedan sales and a nationwide increase in consumer demand for SUVs and trucks.
- Discontinuation: Production of the Cruze ended in North America in 2019, leading to a strategic shift in the brand's model lineup.
