2019 Chevrolet Cruze: RS Trim Leads The Pack

Chevrolet has taken the 2019 Cruze to the plastic surgeon, updating its exterior and making a few improvements to the cabin.

However, the biggest change is the addition of a new RS package, with black window moldings and bowtie emblems, and 17-inch alloy wheels, with 18-inch ones being available.

The rest of the lineup, which continues to be offered as a sedan or hatchback, sports the latest iteration of Chevy’s corporate grille, LED taillights and new wheel options, in addition to a new infotainment system with a 7-inch touchscreen display, 4G LTE and Wi-Fi hotspot.

Buyers will also enjoy the remote start and automatic climate control, offered at no extra cost on the LT and Premier grades, and can spec the cabin in a new color, called Umber. Another novelty is the introduction of the LS trim on the five-door model.

The 2019 Chevrolet Cruze doesn’t cut back on driving assistance aids, and features what the company calls “one of the segment’s biggest rosters of available active safety features”. These are the lane change alert with side blind zone alert, rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision alert, front pedestrian braking, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, low-speed forward automatic braking, following distance indicator and rear park assist.

No updates have been operated in the engine lineup, as this remains unchanged for the 2019MY. As a result, the updated Cruze can be had with a 153hp (155PS / 114kW) 1.4-liter gasoline or a 137hp (139PS / 102kW) 1.6-liter diesel. Both of them come standard with a six-speed manual transmission, but the former can work together with a six-speed automatic, whereas the latter can be paired to a nine-speed auto.

Chevy will open the order books for the 2019 Cruze later this year.