Chevrolet Cruze vs. Volkswagen Golf
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Chevrolet Cruze and Volkswagen Golf contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Chevrolet Cruze and the Volkswagen Golf.
In comparing the Chevrolet Cruze's and the Volkswagen Golf's specifications and ratings, the Chevrolet Cruze has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, interior volume and base engine power. The Volkswagen Golf has the advantage in the area of resale value. The Chevrolet Cruze and Volkswagen Golf have the same fuel efficiency. Based on this comparison of the Chevrolet Cruze's and the Volkswagen Golf's specifications and ratings, the Chevrolet Cruze is a better car than the Volkswagen Golf.
Pricing: A used 2019 Chevrolet Cruze ranges from $10,928 to $19,343 while a used 2019 Volkswagen Golf is priced between $13,085 to $20,998.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Chevrolet Cruze loses 40.6 percent of its value and the Volkswagen Golf loses 34.5 percent of its value. This means the Volkswagen Golf retains 6 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Chevrolet Cruze.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Chevrolet Cruze’s base engine makes 153 horsepower, and the Volkswagen Golf base engine makes 147 horsepower. Both the Cruze and the Golf are rated to deliver an average of 32 miles per gallon, with highway ranges of 521 and 488 miles respectively. Both models use regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: While both models are compact cars, the Chevrolet Cruze has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front leg room and rear leg room. The Volkswagen Golf has the advantage in the areas of front shoulder room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, and cargo space.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, the Volkswagen Golf has higher safety ratings than the Chevrolet Cruze, with an average rating of 5 out of 5 Stars compared to 4.70 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$19,620
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
$21,340
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
$14,795 - $40,395
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$21,845
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
$21,340
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
$14,795 - $40,395
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$15,278
Price Range:
$10,928 - $19,343
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
$19,292
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
$11,224 - $33,439
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
276
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
78,177
# Good or Great Deals:
93
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$17,675
Price Range:
$13,085 - $20,998
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
$19,292
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
$11,224 - $33,439
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
23
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
57,034
# Good or Great Deals:
7
Chevrolet Cruze Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
8.0 / 10
Safety:
9.4 / 10
Volkswagen Golf Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.8 / 10
Reliability:
8.2 / 10
Retained Value:
8.4 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Chevrolet Cruze
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
6.5
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)
6.3
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)
4.1 - 9.5
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
2%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Volkswagen Golf
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
7.1
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)
6.3
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)
4.1 - 9.5
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
19.8%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.1
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
4.5
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
0.5 - 15.5
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
6.2
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
4.5
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
0.5 - 15.5
Chevrolet Cruze Rankings
Ranking
5 out of / 43Ranking
20 out of / 43Ranking
26 out of / 43Ranking
26 out of / 43Ranking
43 out of / 43Volkswagen Golf Rankings
Ranking
5 out of / 13Ranking
6 out of / 21Ranking
7 out of / 43Ranking
8 out of / 43Ranking
8 out of / 43Ranking
9 out of / 43Ranking
14 out of / 43Ranking
29 out of / 43Ranking
30 out of / 43Ranking
32 out of / 43Ranking
33 out of / 43Available Body Styles
Hatchback, Sedan
Available Body Styles
Hatchback
Available Drivetrain Options
Diesel, Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Chevrolet Cruze Trim Levels
Diesel, LS, LT, Premier, L
Volkswagen Golf Trim Levels
S, SE
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
6 years / 72000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
6 years / 72000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
4.70 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
153 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque:
177 foot-lbs @ 2000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.052 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
147 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque:
184 foot-lbs @ 1400 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.051 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
1.4 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
28 / 38 / 32
Range (city/hwy):
384 / 521 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
1.4 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
29 / 37 / 32
Range (city/hwy):
383 / 488 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Navigation System:
N/A
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Available
Wifi:
N/A
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.9 inches
Front Leg Room:
42 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
54.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.8 inches
Rear Leg Room:
36.1 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
53.2 inches
Cargo Space:
22.7 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
116.7 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.4 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.2 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.1 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.6 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
53.9 inches
Cargo Space:
22.8 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
116.3 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2917 lbs
Width:
70.5 inches
Height:
57.7 inches
Length:
175.3 inches
Wheelbase:
106.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2873 lbs
Width:
70.8 inches
Height:
58.2 inches
Length:
167.6 inches
Wheelbase:
103.8 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.4 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
15.0 x 6.0 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
195/65R15
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
15.0 x 6.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
195/65R15
Exterior Colors
Beige
Oakwood Metallic
Black
Black
Red
Red Hot
Silver
Silver Ice Metallic
White
Summit White
Blue
Not available
Gray
Not available
Exterior Colors
Beige
Not available
Black
Deep Black Pearl
Red
Tornado Red
Silver
Not available
White
Pure White
Blue
Night Blue Metallic / Silk Blue Metallic
Gray
Platinum Gray Metallic / Tungsten Silver Metallic
Interior Colors
Black
Jet Black / Jet Black/Galvanized
Beige
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Titan Black
Beige
Beige
