typically lasts between 200,000 and 250,000 miles. Based on an average of 15,000 miles of driving per year, that equates to 13 to 17 years of usage before breaking down or needing repairs that would cost more than the car is worth.

Of course, the particular year of your Chevy Cruze will affect its particular reliability. We’ll take a look at which year had the most reliable Cruze models, but first, let’s talk about the most recent models and trims being offered.

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, as we tell you everything you need to know about how long your Chevrolet Cruze can last. Then we’ll tell you how to get the best deal on car insurance, whether you have a new 2022 Cruze or a used model from the previous decade!

How many miles can a Chevy Cruze last?

Chevy Cruzes can last over 200,000 miles and can regularly make it to 250,000 miles.

The lifespan of individual Chevy Cruzes will depend on a few different factors, but the main one is maintenance. Your car will likely last longer if you keep up with your oil changes and follow the recommended maintenance schedule found in your car’s owner’s manual.

How many years do Cruzes last?

With proper care, your Cruze could last up to 17 years or more, depending on how much you drive it each year!

As we mentioned before, you will have to keep up with regular maintenance to get the most time out of your Chevy Cruze. You’ll also likely have to make a few pit stops along the way for repairs and replacements.

Car batteries

tend to go first, but you’ll also need to keep up on your brakes, tires, spark plugs, timing belts, and of course light bulbs.

MORE:

Chevy lug pattern guide

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How reliable is a Chevrolet Cruze?

The Chevrolet Cruze scores a 4 out of 5 reliability rating from RepairPal, although it still only ranks 26th out of 36 vehicles in the compact cars category. Overall, the Cruze is considered to be a fairly reliable vehicle, and it gets bonus points for being acceptably affordable to repair.

Let's dive into the details of the best and worst years of the Cruze.

Most reliable: 2014 Cruze

J.D. Power gives the 2014 Cruze a 4 out of 5 score for reliability. Even the base

Cruze LS

model offers plenty of value, and while you may miss out on luxury features, you won’t miss out on the Cruze’s reliable standard equipment.

The 2014 Cruze was available with an assortment of engines. The base 1.8-liter I-4 in the LS is a perfectly reliable Chevy engine, although it likely won’t dazzle with its 138 horsepower. For added fuel efficiency, the next level trims of the 2014 Cruze got a 1.4-liter turbo or 2.0-liter turbo-diesel I-4 that could produce more horsepower at lower revs than the LS engine while greatly improving fuel efficiency.

Least reliable: 2011 Cruze

The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze gets the worst ratings on CarComplaints of any model year.

Owners of 2011 Chevy Cruzes have reported transmission problems, leaking antifreeze, engine problems, and electronics issues. Best steer clear of this one.

Are Chevrolet Cruzes expensive to maintain?

The average annual repair and maintenance cost for a Chevrolet Cruze is $545—just slightly above the compact car average of $526, but well below the average across all vehicle models, which comes in at $652.

On average, Cruze owners report having to go in for unscheduled maintenance 0.4 times per year. That’s on par with the universal average, but well below the 3.0 compact car average. Here are some things you’ll likely have to repair before the end of your Cruze’s long and healthy life.

Tires

Your car’s stock tires will likely be the first thing in need of replacing. Depending on how hard you are on them, stock Chevy Cruze tires last between 30,000 to 60,000 miles. It is imperative that you replace your tires when they are worn, or you will risk causing serious damage to your car and danger to your passengers.

Brakes

If your tires aren’t the first things to go, your brakes will be. Your Chevy Cruze brakes are rated to last up to 50,000 miles or more. If you wait too long to replace your

worn-down brake pads

, you’ll risk damaging other parts of the brakes and wheels.

MORE:

How to read a tire

Transmission

Everyone rues the day when their car’s transmission finally kicks the bucket. Transmissions are notoriously difficult and expensive to repair, and the average Chevrolet Cruze transmission lasts anywhere between 150,000 to 200,000 miles.

Spark plugs

Regular maintenance for the Chevrolet Cruze calls for replacing the spark plugs every 60,000 miles or so. Spark plugs can get worn down or caked in grime, and will start to become faulty if you don’t keep up their maintenance. This can cause all sorts of engine problems like misfires, poor acceleration, and poor fuel economy.

MORE:

How to check car recalls by VIN number

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How to prolong the lifespan of your Chevrolet Cruze

We’ve said it at least once or twice and we’ll say it again: proper car maintenance is the number one way to ensure the longest possible lifespan for a Chevrolet Cruze.

Here are some pro tips for taking the best care of your Cruze:

Stay on schedule: Read your owner’s manual, and follow the regular maintenance schedule according to the instructions found therein. If you don’t have a physical copy of your Cruze’s owner’s manual, you can always contact your dealership or try looking online for the information you need.

Buy quality parts: While you may think that buying third-party aftermarket parts is a great way to save money on repairs, keeping your vehicle up to

OEM standards

is a great way to ensure it runs the way it’s supposed to.

Pay attention to car alerts: Are you sure that your

Check Engine Light

is probably nothing to worry about? Better safe than sorry is always the move with any warning lights! Your owner’s manual should have a clear explanation of what each warning signal on your dash means.

Keep your car clean:

Washing and waxing

will preserve the body of the car so it looks great its whole life, and vacuuming and keeping a clean, vacuumed interior can minimize wear and tear on the material.

Saving on car insurance on your Chevrolet Cruze

If you have your heart set on a new or used Chevrolet Cruze, it’s going to need some

car insurance

before you’re allowed to drive it, and

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