Chevrolet
Cruze
Honda
Civic
Chevrolet Cruze vs Honda Civic: 2024 Comparison
The short answer
The Chevrolet Cruze offers fuel economy, while the Honda Civic excels at power instead. Choose the Chevrolet Cruze if you prioritize fuel economy in daily driving, or the Honda Civic if power matters more for your needs. Both are covered by real owner reports on CarWizz.
Specs side by side
What owners say
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.
Civic
Overall
Extremely positive sentiment regarding long-term reliability, practicality, and value for money across multiple generations. The Civic is consistently described as one of the most reliable cars on the road, with a strong reputation for minimal mechanical issues when properly maintained. Owners praise its spacious and comfortable interiors, good fuel economy, and low running costs.
Best version to buy
Consensus varies by generation and region. For the 8th and 9th generations (UK/Europe), the 1.8L i-VTEC petrol engine is frequently recommended for its proven reliability and adequate power, with manual transmissions preferred for engagement.
Known issues
- ⚠• **Generation-Specific Engine Problems:** Isolated but severe issues include cracked engine blocks on early 8th generation (2006-2009) 1.8L R18 engines and head gasket failures on 7th generation (2001-2005) D17 engines.
The verdict
The Chevrolet Cruze is the better choice for most buyers.
It has better fuel economy on its best-equipped version than the Honda Civic, based on the data above. If power matters more to you than running costs, the Honda Civic is worth a closer look instead.
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Frequently asked questions
Which is more reliable, the Chevrolet Cruze or the Honda Civic?
Owner reports show similar reliability sentiment for the Chevrolet Cruze and the Honda Civic. Check the known issues listed above for specific differences between the two.
Which is better for families, the Chevrolet Cruze or the Honda Civic?
Both seat a similar number of passengers based on our data. The Chevrolet Cruze is classed as a Sedan, the Honda Civic as a Coupe, which affects cargo space and ride height for family use.
Which has better fuel economy, the Chevrolet Cruze or the Honda Civic?
The Chevrolet Cruze is more fuel-efficient on paper: 5.8 L/100km combined versus 7.8 L/100km for the Honda Civic, based on the best-equipped catalogued version of each.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Chevrolet Cruze or the Honda Civic?
Exact maintenance costs aren't in our data, but owner reports mention cost-related concerns more often for the Honda Civic than the Chevrolet Cruze. See the known issues comparison above.