2018 Chevy Cruze Diesel Hatchback Review - A $30,000 American Diesel Hatchback!

[@Mgoblagulkablong]

GM, the type of company to build diesels and the tiny Spark when fuel is cheap and cancel them before inflation and recession hit.

[@bwofficial1776]

Agreed on the Spark but have you looked at diesel prices recently? In my area it's nearly twice the price of gas. The fuel economy gains don't balance out the extra fuel cost.

[@kevinW826]

@@motorsnmisfitsthe price in the UK for gas right now is the equivalent of $2.51 Canadian a litre and $2.88 a litre for diesel. Both were higher in the summer but have come down slightly

[@snownd675]

And not give them any market attention whatsoever

[@JDMSwervo2001]

Diesel is actually really expensive lol

[@XsaviXander]

@@kevinW826 $2.50 a liter? I'm paying $3.10/gal for premium down here in the state of Georgia.

[@10mbc]

The reason for the heated seats being on all diesels is because the diesel engine will heat up slower than a gas engine. In Europe, a lot of upper trim diesel cars have electric heaters so tou will get some heat in the winter until the engine heats up.

[@10mbc]

PS: On my last diesel car, that was a 2003 Citroen C5 2.0 Turbo Diesel, the tank was about 70 liters and the consumption was about 5.5 on the highway. On one tank of diesel I was able to drive over 1200km (about 750 miles). On lower speed roads, the consumption would be lower so 1400km (870 miles) on a tank was not that rare.

[@moonrider19681]

I loved my tdi Jetta. Torque and mpg. I may buy a similar cruz

[@youtoobe169]

GM made these cool cars and never told anybody they existed. Then they wondered why nobody bought them.

[@jtkrpm1]

even gas station attendants usually didn't know GM made diesel Cruzes

[@youtoobe169]

@@jtkrpm1 Even Chevy salespeople didn't know!

[@jtkrpm1]

@@youtoobe169 then GM cancels them because they say no one buys them. But, are determined to build EV'S that loose thousands per vehicle, that no one wants.

[@dundonrl]

I've only seen 1 other 2nd gen Cruze diesel on the road, and my 17 Cruze diesel with the 6 speed manual is a damn unicorn!

[@retrocompaq5212]

i owned one for a week, its not cool at all, its the worst subcompact gm ever made since the 80's

[@RichardStefanits]

It's actually really suprising to me that the cruse was sold as a diesel in the states. Thanks for the content.

[@lab1042]

I wanted one of these back in the day (though I would want the 6-spd manual). The manual could get up to 700 highway miles on a single tank. That would take me from my home in Indiana to my parent's house in central MD, turn around, and drive another 200 miles before having to fill up.

[@andy_182]

Did you accidentally add a zero

[@10mbc]

In Europe (I live in Romania), we used to have diesel options on, basically, all cars. Even small, Ford Fiesta sized cars and even smaller, all had an option for a small, diesel engine. Kia Rio used to have a 1.1 diesel engine that was good for 75 hp. Fiesta also had an option for a 1.4 diesel. This all went away after the Dieselgate situation, when everybody realised that you can't make diesel eco friendly if you don't cheat. Nowadays, only big cars still have a diesel option, pretty much everything is either gas powered, hybrid or LPG now. Of course, on the vans and trucks you can still have diesels, but we now have gas powered trucks available (that was unheard of here 5 years ago).

[@lab1042]

@@andy_182 No. I was saying you could (in theory, anyway) drive ~700 miles on a single tank of diesel on the highway. Not 70 mpg if that's what you're referring to.

[@EBIndy]

The 6 speed manual in that car is junk. However the 9 speed automatic is very good. I had a 2017 chevy cruze diesel and really enjoyed it. The gas cruzes are junk & suffer from numerous issues like melting pistons unlike the diesel version. The only reason I got rid of the cruze was its size and rough ride. My new daily driver is a 2006 Mercedes Benz E320 CDI (Diesel)

[@chriscole9621]

​@@EBIndywhat makes the manual junk?

[@dhillaz]

11:44 Zack unleashes his inner Mr. Regular 😁

[@jennydonne8946]

The shape of the Cruze is very similar to the previous shape Vauxhall/Opel Astra. This engine was known as the whisper diesel

[@isaac4273]

And was it reliable?

[@Kollege_Turnschuh]

@@isaac4273 if you’re driving it warm/cold carefully and keep it with the oil change intervals, it is really reliable.

[@GlamStacheessnostalgialounge]

@@Kollege_Turnschuh So just like literally any other car ever made?

[@jennydonne8946]

@@isaac4273 to be honest, I don't know but I remember it being launched here by Vauxhall. I'm not the greatest fan of diesel engines

[@RohanSanjith]

Fiat makes good efficient engines but sensitive to oil changes

[@Trenton-om9qs]

I never knew the Cruze came with a Diesel here in the States

[@jacobyo99]

Both generations of Cruze were available as a diesel

[@MustangsTrainsMowers]

Correction: In 2008 diesel fuel went from costing less than gasoline to costing more. The reason was that a new EPA rule limiting particulates in diesel exhaust emissions forced refineries to use lighter sweeter crude oil to refine diesel fuel vs using thicker heavier oil.

[@kevinW826]

American diesel fuel is crap compared to the European diesel fuel. Too much sludge build up around the camshafts is the downside of American diesel. The 6.4 V8 diesel from ford had that problem because it was designed to run on European diesel fuel, not the crap we get in NA.

[@isaac4273]

@@kevinW826 my guy, the 6.4 was just a shit engine, no one likes it lmao 😂 if you get a Powerstroke, you get a 6.7 or an older 7.3, otherwise, go Duramax

[@Low760]

Not quite. They have less sulphur since 2008 because sulphur destroys fuel pumps on common rail vehicles.

[@Low760]

@@kevinW826 that has nothing to do with the fuel, sounds like not enough oil changes.

[@kevinW826]

@@Low760 nope. He was a mechanic, so everything was done at the ford dealership. The dealership had to dismantle the upper block twice to clean out the sludge around the camshafts. Even the dealership admitted that motor was not meant to run on American diesel.

[@nickval5962]

You know what, a nice set of rims and some lowering springs would make this an awesome daily!

[@aaronsorspomar96]

I own a 2015 opel Astra with this same engine and I can say the 52MPG in the highway is posible, I usually do around 50, but the best MPG I ever seen was 63 MPG in a 160miles trip using cruise control at 50-55MPH.

[@fellowleaf]

Wow! What a coincidence I just found out about these cars a couple days ago. I didn't know they made a Chevy Cruze that was a diesel engine, ultra weird but cool. Great video!

[@juarezsanchez4428]

Why dont you tell the torque figures anymore? Its pretty relevant info for some.

[@dundonrl]

137 hp and 240 ft lbs torque.

[@aaronlane8276]

I would choose this over an EV hands down.

[@AllthingsRocco]

One thing missing is the manual. Hatch.. diesel…cruze..

[@meldwin8439]

I bought mine back in 2018, has about 80k miles and I get 50+ miles to the gallon, costs me about 35-40 bucks to fill and the best part, it’s a manual. I will never get rid of this thing.

[@sbrader97]

I assume its the same 1.6 diesel that was used by opel/vauxhall in europe and they are notorious for timing chain rattle and failure even at low mileages

[@shueibdahir]

I dont even know why you would have timing chains in diesel engines. I can't trust any engine that has a timing chain unless its made by toyota

[@EBIndy]

Oh so timing belts like Volkswagen? I never had timing chain issues on my whisper diesel cruze but then again i changed the oil every 5k miles. Not 10k+

[@meldwin8439]

@@EBIndysame, I’ve never had an issue with it

[@retrocompaq5212]

@@shueibdahir toyota cant make engines anymore dude, everything they do since few years is full of issues

[@fasttracklap8480]

you just need a garage in your home, a car lift (you can buy one, or make one, or just get lumber wood and a hydraulic jack), a set of tools, and a passion for cars, and knowledge how to work on cars, gm cars, it's not that they're unreliable, compared to a toyota, i feel like by design, the toyota is made tough and to work without care, the gm is sensitive, you need to look after it, but it's smooth it works, i like em'

[@bwofficial1776]

That's hybrid fuel economy but the price of diesel and the upcharge for the engine kills any cost savings. Diesel where I live is nearly twice the price of gas. It would be funny to see one of these roll coal. The Cruze was a decent enough compact car so it's a shame GM gave up in favor of the Trax and Blazer. It's not a bad looking car. There's also an Equinox diesel that's really rare. Mazda also had a one-year-only CX-5 diesel that no one bought.

[@kevinW826]

The problem with the equinox diesel was the oil and diesel turned into literal jello. The Mazda diesel was a neutered version of the European and Japanese motor. It was also a seriously bad motor even by Japanese standards. No reliability.

[@Low760]

@@kevinW826 they sell pretty well in Australia and have no issues when maintained and using good diesel.

[@Low760]

Roll coal? You know that smoke is bad for Diesel engines right?

[@aca2983]

@@Low760 And it's a straight up douchy thing to do.

[@EBIndy]

I had a cruze diesel and never once had gelling issues. Even my current diesel has never had gelling issues. Want to know my secret? Use an additive. Hots shot secret winter diesel additive stops gelling down to -40 F. That’s Alaska temperatures. The only people that have gelling issues in the lower 48 are negligent owners.

[@zachc8706]

I really dig diesel cars. My dad had a 5 cylinder Mercedes. And I rented a manual diesel Skoda in Norway. That was the BEST rental I ever had.

[@namemcnamerton4249]

The problem was they never advertised the damn thing, to busy with them stupid real people commercials.

[@cyyber1]

Keeping our 2018 6 speed sedan forever. I think they only made around 600 manual sedans that year.

[@dundonrl]

I've never seen the specs on how many were built, but they only made the manual diesel in 17 and 18. Mines a 17, love it!

[@cyyber1]

@@dundonrl not many and I doubt there will be another one like it. I’d keep it. Really great mpg’s.

[@dundonrl]

@cyyber1 I have a picture, 99.9 mph average, 99.9 best and 99 mpg instant for 50 miles in mine!

[@schwifty9520]

"I've never driven an Opel" Brother, it's literally just an Vauxhall Astra/Opel Astra with Chevy badge😅

[@Low760]

It looks like the Korean Cruze to me. In Australia at got the sedan that looks like this and the Astra is a different vehicle. Also not made in Korea.

[@schwifty9520]

@@Low760 Ahhh I see. I'm in the UK and this just seems to be an adapted version of our previous gen Vauxhall Astra. The details are slightly different, but I mean slightly lol I think it has its own body panels/lights as a Chevy, but the proportions/interior? Definitely a reskinned UK Astra

[@RayEttler]

i do not fully approve. it's rather a mongrel with parts from daewoo (outside) and opel/vauxhall (center panel, knobs....) with a hint of americana (cupholders).

[@seb_1504]

​@@schwifty9520no it's a Korean cruze. They just took lots of design elements from Opel.

[@retrocompaq5212]

the cobalt/ saturn astra were more european, this is pure korean trash, a real daewoo

[@miguelojera2356]

These economy cars with diesel-powered engines would've made sense back when diesel fuel was cheaper than standard unleaded.

[@wgreenjr81]

still is when you account for fuel economy

[@Tagiau]

If you really wanna confuse someone, take your diesel cruze into a bigo and watch the lube tech have an aneurysm. Watch 3 people come up to the car just to find the very obvious oil filter.

[@CrapeCraft]

or ask for a spark plug change

[@davdjimenez1150]

Really great videos loved it, didn’t know this cruise had a diesel

[@baronvonjo1929]

I am actually kinda suprised by how good this seems. Not sure about reliability but it seems as solid as it can be

[@EBIndy]

The Diesel cruze is very reliable. I had one from new to 100k miles & the only outside normal thing I had done to it was a NOX sensor being replaced & a sway bar end link. The gas cruzes are junk & suffer from tons of issues like failed turbos, melting pistons etc. the Diesel can easily go 200k+ miles with oil changes every 5k miles.

[@94viperman]

I just want to say awesome review!! I was fortunate enough to purchase one of the last diesel cruzes that were built (2019 model) before they were discontinued. Yeah the sticker price was a little shocking but can't complain compared to today's car prices Also want to mention, from my research this is one of the rarest vehicles in the US especially if it's an RS model. Great car, great mpg's!!!

[@madukkween2701]

I bet your having a great time wirh diesel cruze no problems right

[@projectrestoration8698]

I'm on the fence about getting one for a daily. Kind of sick of 15 mpg trucks lol I would probably kill for an rs Cruze manual diesel.

[@madukkween2701]

@@projectrestoration8698 hope you get one im sure youll enjoy how peppy the engine is .

[@ifyoudisagreeyouarewrong]

@@madukkween2701 lol such a hater

[@madukkween2701]

@@ifyoudisagreeyouarewrong trueee

[@jordanimatedstreaming]

Great video, I didn't even know a diesel Cruze existed until now.

[@jefferysmith3930]

It always seemed to me that a diesel hybrid would be the ultimate fuel mileage champ. A guess the Diesel engine wouldn’t fit it with the whole “green” hybrid aura though. At least we don’t have to deal with the whole widespread diesel adoption only to have government registrations try to legislate them out of existence like they are dealing with in Europe

[@VincentLincarenthusiast]

Mercedes and other European manufacturers are still doing it

[@shueibdahir]

Citröen DS

[@MANTHELEXUS]

GM have terrible timing. They cancel they’re economical cars just before inflation and recession hits.

[@retrocompaq5212]

those korean cars were extremely bad and people only buys a name, it doesnt sell, no matter what gm will do

[@mhirst16]

I kinda like the Cruze for what it is, economical transportation. The thing that kept me away though, the auto stop/start can't be disabled. I think the later years may have, but you really have to look in the pictures for the switch.

[@Lyndonkb11]

Yea, i have a 19. Behind shifter is a button to shut it off. On the 16-18 models you had to install a device to fool car and bypass it. Would connect to hood latch sensor.

[@EBIndy]

You also could shift it into L mode and press the + button until it says L9. It drives like normal but disables the auto stop/start

[@arca9e295]

We need more SMALL diesels here in the states. There is a place in our society for these types of cars. If you want maximum fuel economy without the complications of hybrid electronics, here’s your answer. And if you’re on of those heathens who want more juice, there’s a plethora of performance options. If they can do all the power modifications for the big diesels found in 2500 and up pickups I don’t see a reason not to apply the same logic to a smaller displacement ones.

[@shueibdahir]

It gets a bit complicated with an EGR valve, EGR Cooler, DPF and SCR. Those pesky emission control devices ruin diesels. My 260k mile TDI has been doing my head in with its EGR cooler that leaks exhaust gasses into the cabin.

[@MotorTorq_ZA]

It’s basically a Vauxhall Astra

[@RyansHobbyGarage]

wasn't diesel cheaper pre like 2005?

[@wgreenjr81]

Yes. I do not say this to be disrespectful, but I suspect that our presenter was not of driving age, or at least not aware of the relevance of when the delta between Gas and Diesel inverted in the US.

[@gabriell.4440]

Yeah it's on average $1-2 more expensive per gallon where I live. The only diesels I see these days are big Cummins/Powerstroke/Duramax and the occasional BMW diesel.

[@fuhcoff86]

I need one of these!!

[@arthurbrax6561]

I would have bought one of these if I had known they existed. great video

[@forza4l833]

My mom bought a 2019 Chevy spark, its the base of the base modle, it has close to 40k on the clock, she was the 1st owner, she still has it to this day, , its a really really good car and i wish you coukd review it

[@slats66]

“It goes…. Whoosh!” Love it.

[@joshjohnson6163]

Can you actually run old cooking oil through a diesel car? I hear preppers saying it.

[@CrapeCraft]

theoretically yes but I wouldn’t do it in one made after like 1995 because of electronic fuel injection and such

[@aaronlane8276]

biodiesel fuel is literally recycled cooking oil

[@seb_1504]

I find it funny that people complained about the price of the diesel cruzes getting 50+ mpg on average being 30k then go on to buy 40k+ cars without the good mileage or even reliability in some cases and some even paying double for plug in hybrids.....

[@thereebs1]

Never knew these existed

[@GTStrane]

From what I understand, even cars with particulate filters emit significantly more pm2.5 such as sulfur dioxide and nitrous oxides of various types. Carcinogens that are awful for people's health and cause cancer. That could be another reason for disiel failure in the US among people who aren't disiel truck people.

[@jjknott1591]

Sulfur dioxide and nitrous oxide are not particulate matter. Diesels with particulate filters emit much less particulate matter than gas vehicles.

[@MB-mj2xb]

Any chance you could include metric conversions for things like fuel economy, power figures etc even just by on-screen annotations to make videos more meaningful for viewers outside the US?

[@paulblackman8159]

320 nm vs 240 nm in the petrol. That’s why it pulls.

[@shueibdahir]

Once you experience 320nm with a low fuel consumption you'll never wanna go back to petron

[@GhostSheep96]

Looks a bit like the older Opel Insignia A. I guess same Plattform?

[@BenKlassen1]

I like the review sir!

[@Rusty5000]

I was thinking of this but the prius c price was to good to pass up

[@CptPandy-tj9ty]

I love my '17 Cruze premier RS it was comfortable and good on gas and had good convenience feature but I with I had a hatch

[@dave11686]

Cool!😊

[@votaveri]

This thing was horrible! My mother had one (in a manual) and was a complete lemon. In and out of warranty / shop. Sold on caravans before they went bust

[@guillermosanchezsachez2318]

Can run on kerosene?

[@thisisnothere14]

I had the gas sedan lt, and honestly if i had to go back and i had tk get this car again... id spec it so weird, diesel, rs package with the manual! That would have been interesting 🤣... the cruze sedan i had made 155 hp but had gm actually put an interesting motor like the 2l turbo from the gs or the malibu... that would have made for a performance model that could have competed with a civic si, etc

[@ryanmiller2143]

There was one specked out how wanted when I was looking for mine. It was gone in 2 days of being on the dealer lot. I settled for a gasser '17 silver lt/rs hatch with the bose stereo. I love it.

[@thisisnothere14]

@@ryanmiller2143 i didnt know about the rs pack till i got mine and then i kicked myself for not getting it 🤣

[@ITm4n]

bro said diesel i was like huh??? then he says 9 speed im like 🤯🤯🤯 THEN HE SAYS 46 MPG??????? HUH???

[@eggbag4182]

At least it looks good

[@infernoking7504]

70 mpg.......

[@aaronlane8276]

that’s diesel fuel for you

[@nickgold4111]

Roll of duct tape in the cubby for the cup holder.

[@Re-Booter]

All those who think the diesel engines of the 80's is the reason they're not selling is the same journalist phrase everyone is using.......all those people are dead now. I have a 2014 Cruze Diesel for years, runs absolutely amazing. Now I just deleted it and got even better mileage.

[@andy_182]

The Shane Gillis car

[@tompease3022]

Actually back in the day diesel was cheaper than gas. Around the time the GM diesel cars came out the price of it came up to be higher than regular. Add in the up to 60 second or more wait for the glow plugs to heat up enough to start the car, the higher initial cost, and the fact the GM diesel passenger car engines sucked kind of killed the allure. That and regular gas prices dropping after the second gas crisis of the late 70’s. You also don’t really mention it but you have to put the special bluetec stuff in there to keep the emissions down. That added maintenance along with the higher MSRP likely was one of the reasons people didn’t line up for the Cruze diesel.

[@BenKlassen1]

Diesel became more expensive with the introduction of ultra-low sulfur diesel which requires more refining than gasoline. The ultra-low sulfur is to produce less sulfur dioxide pollution and to prolong the life of the diesel particulate filter and selective catalyst reduction system.

[@BenKlassen1]

Diesel may become less expensive than gasoline again with the move toward tier-3 gasoline, which is an ultra-low sulfur gasoline product.

[@peoriavideosltd6822]

First! I wanted one of these so bad when they were new.

[@oldskool1979]

Amazing gas mileage ! wow

[@ronb2008]

Probably made it there and back on one tank of fuel too

[@aidaaliten8817]

30k for a diesel hatchback seems a bit much

[@NathanSeery]

Diesel has NOT always been more expensive. It wasn't till the late 90s that they jacked up the price of diesel. Prior to that, diesel was ~70-80% of the cost of regular.

[@cabbagememes2852]

I am actually impressed they put a diesel in a hatchback can you roll coal in it?

[@jasoncrowell2688]

They did make a 2014 Chevy Cruze diesel 2.0 liter. I can easily get over 50mpg out of it.

[@jacobyo99]

I like the look of the first generation Cruze better

[@zythr9999]

Lol

[@bitemyshinnymetalass1569]

0:33 Who's the creepy guy in the background.

[@aaronsesula2033]

I almost Bourne of those had a down payment on it then they sold it the day I went to get it so I bought a civic s I instead

[@NenadTrajkovic]

It is an engine derived from very good Multijet.Multijet engine that is a Fiat Chrysler Automobiles' term for its current common rail direct injection turbodiesel engine range. Most of the Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Lancia range as well as certain Chrysler, RAM Trucks, Jeep and Maserati vehicles are equipped with Multijet engines. Ownership of some Fiat Multijet designs is shared with General Motors as part of a settlement of the failed merger between the two auto conglomerates. GM Powertrain Torino group in Turin, Italy manages their interest in these engines. Some PSA Peugeot Citroën diesel engines are also rebadged JTD units, and vice versa.(source needed) Fiat's common rail diesel engine is also known as JTD, an initialism of Jet Turbo Diesel(JTD) Very much Opel Astra look a like

[@jessehays99]

I currently have the 2014 Chevy Cruze 2LT and i really really do not like the look of the 2018 model, ngl i prefer the older model styling wise

[@davinp]

Notice that this car doesn't have LED headlights, just regular headlights. That shows how cheap GM is. As you know, manufactures have been discontinuing sedans/hatches in America

[@bwofficial1776]

GM does this dumb thing with their taillights where they put space for a yellow turn signal but don't put the bulb in because in the US they don't have to. Probably saves a dollar per car but red turn signals are less safe.

[@objective7042]

On headlights, sure halogens are inefficient and cheap. But in the cold winter, Halogens are good melting snow and ice from the headlights. And I have an option to swap to LEDs instead of buying the whole thing.

[@42luke93]

It’s not them being cheap. People don’t want LED and also that makes this just that much more affordable.

[@AdrTsx]

The european version is Opel Astra. That engine was the worse diesel ever made.

[@riceburner4747]

Why would u WANT ANY diesel?? 🤔 So u save on mpg's & pay double in fuel. Savings? 🤥

[@isaac4273]

Get an older one so you can use waste oil 😁

[@67FORDTRUCKF250]

It is called freedom of choice.....

[@theodorbutters141]

Diesel used to be much cheaper in the US. In Europe diesel used to be 20-30% cheaper then gasoline, thus 2 litre disel engines became common on hatchbacks and wagons.

[@saraleon97]

This is probably the most American comment I have ever read, Jesus 🤣

[@67FORDTRUCKF250]

@@saraleon97 and?

[@MBAM02]

🗑