The Chevrolet Cruze does 33.9 mpg combined (29 city, 43.3 highway), which works out to about $1,133 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 1.6L 4-cyl does 37 mpg while 2L 4-cyl does 32 — a difference of $162 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.7 mpg.
Every Chevrolet Cruze engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Chevrolet Cruze ranges from 37 down to 32 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $162 a year across 3 versions of the same car. Picking the right one often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6L 4-cyl | 31 / 47.3 | 2017–2019 | $1,038 | |
| 1.4L 4-cyl | 28.5 / 40 | 2011–2016 | $1,182 | |
| 2L 4-cyl | 27 / 44 | 2014–2015 | $1,200 |
What that actually costs
The Chevrolet Cruze burns a gallon every 33.9 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 354 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.094 |
| Fuel per year | $1,133 |
| Fuel over five years | $5,665 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$361 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,100 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Chevrolet Cruze gives up 14.3 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 43.3 out there against 29 in town, a 49% drop worth $437 a year. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 29 mpg | $1,324 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 43.3 mpg | $887 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +14.3 mpg (49%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Cruze changed over the years
The Cruze peaked in 2019 at 37 mpg (31 city, 48 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2015 at 32 — 5 mpg apart, or $162 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2019 car does 37. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 31 / 48 | 1 | $1,038 | |
| 2018 | 31 / 47 | 1 | $1,038 | |
| 2017 | 31 / 47 | 1 | $1,038 | |
| 2016 | 30 / 40 | 1 | $1,129 | |
| 2015 | 27 / 44 | 1 | $1,200 | |
| 2014 | 27 / 44 | 1 | $1,200 | |
| 2013 | 28 / 40 | 1 | $1,200 | |
| 2012 | 28 / 40 | 1 | $1,200 | |
| 2011 | 28 / 40 | 1 | $1,200 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 9 EPA ratings of the Chevrolet Cruze — 3 engines across 2011–2019. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $2,100. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Chevrolet Cruze get?
33.9 mpg combined on average — 29 in the city and 43.3 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2011–2019.
How much does a Chevrolet Cruze cost in fuel per year?
About $1,133 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $5,665 over five years, or 0.094 dollars a mile.
Which Cruze engine is the most economical?
The 1.6L 4-cyl at 37 mpg, against 32 for the 2L 4-cyl — a difference of about $162 a year.
Is the Cruze good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.7 mpg, computed across 4765 ratings.
Are these real-world Cruze figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Chevrolet Cruze is $2,100 against the $1,133 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 37 and 32 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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