Chevrolet
Cobalt
Owner report available
Chevrolet
Cruze
Owner report available
Chevrolet Cobalt vs Chevrolet Cruze
The short answer
The Chevrolet Cobalt offers power, while the Chevrolet Cruze excels at fuel economy instead. Choose the Chevrolet Cobalt if you prioritize power in daily driving, or the Chevrolet Cruze if fuel economy matters more for your needs. Both are covered by real owner reports on CarWizz.
Specs side by side
What owners say
Cobalt
Overall
Sentiment is mixed to negative, heavily dependent on the vehicle's age, maintenance history, and specific model year. The Cobalt is widely regarded as a basic, affordable transportation appliance, with some owners reporting high mileage (over 250,000 miles/400,000 km) with diligent, often self-performed, maintenance. However, the community feedback is dominated by recurrent and very frequent reports of electrical system failures, transmission problems (particularly in automatics), and premature rust/corrosion.
Best version to buy
Insufficient owner data available to declare a definitive "best" version. The manual transmission models are implied to be preferable due to fewer reported issues compared to the problematic automatic transmissions.
Known issues
- compared to the problematic automatic transmissions. The SS Turbo model (with the 2.0L LNF engine) is mentioned in passing as a performance variant shared with other GM vehicles, but no detailed ownership feedback is provided in the data.
Cruze
Overall
Overwhelmingly negative sentiment for the first-generation Cruze (model years approximately 2009-2016), with widespread reports of severe and frequent mechanical failures leading to high ownership costs and frustration. This generation is frequently described as one of the worst vehicles owners have experienced. Sentiment for the second generation (approximately 2016-2019) is mixed but notably more positive, with some owners reporting good reliability and satisfaction, particularly with highway comfort and fuel economy.
Best version to buy
Second-generation models (2016-2019) are strongly preferred over the first generation. Within the second generation, the 1.4L turbocharged gasoline engine paired with the conventional 6-speed automatic transmission is recommended over the CVT (found in the Spark) for better reliability.
Known issues
- **First Generation (2009-2016) Issues:** Coolant system leaks/failures: leading to overheating and potential engine destruction. Very frequent. Turbocharger failures: around 90,000 miles (145,000 km). Very frequent.
- **Second Generation (2016-2019) Issues:** Coolant system seepage/leaks: noted as a slower issue than Gen 1. Recurrent. Oil leaks: from valve cover and oil filter housing. Recurrent.
The verdict
The Chevrolet Cruze is the better choice for most buyers.
It has better fuel economy on its best-equipped version than the Chevrolet Cobalt, based on the data above. If power matters more to you than running costs, the Chevrolet Cobalt is worth a closer look instead.
Explore further
Common problems by model year
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Frequently asked questions
Which is more reliable, the Chevrolet Cobalt or the Chevrolet Cruze?
Owner reports show similar reliability sentiment for the Chevrolet Cobalt and the Chevrolet Cruze. Check the known issues listed above for specific differences between the two.
Which is better for families, the Chevrolet Cobalt or the Chevrolet Cruze?
Both seat a similar number of passengers based on our data. The Chevrolet Cobalt is classed as a Coupe, the Chevrolet Cruze as a Sedan, which affects cargo space and ride height for family use.
Which has better fuel economy, the Chevrolet Cobalt or the Chevrolet Cruze?
The EPA rates the 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt at 25–30 mpg combined and the 2019 Chevrolet Cruze at 31–37 mpg, depending on the version.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Chevrolet Cobalt or the Chevrolet Cruze?
Exact maintenance costs aren't in our data, but reliability signals above are the closest proxy: fewer reported issues generally means lower repair costs over time.