Used 2016 Chevrolet Cruze for SaleNationwide

How much does the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze cost?

Prices have softened 2.88% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,694 listings available, which gives you a solid amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze a good car?

Generally — the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze earns 4.1/5 from owners and 7.5/10 from our experts. The model scores 8/10 across Look and feel, Cost effectiveness, and Safety.

Owners repeatedly praise its impressive gas mileage, comfort, Bluetooth calling, and spacious trunk. That lines up with the Cruze’s role as a practical compact car that can handle everyday commuting and longer trips without feeling stripped down.

The overall appeal is strongest if you want an efficient, feature-rich compact sedan that feels more polished than its price suggests. 27.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals, so there’s still room to shop selectively.

Is the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze reliable?

Owners rate it 4.1/5, a solid signal of long-term satisfaction.

The owner feedback points to a car that many people find dependable for daily use, with repeated praise for efficiency, comfort, and useful features. The same feedback also mentions reliability concerns such as overheating, so you should treat condition and maintenance history as important parts of the decision.

The expert drive notes that the Cruze feels composed over long distances and that its powertrain and ride quality make it easy to live with. For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is buying a car that has been poorly maintained or already showing cooling-system or vibration-related issues.

What should I look for when buying a used 2016 Chevrolet Cruze?

At 52.1% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and confirm whether any prior damage was repaired properly. A pre-purchase inspection is especially worthwhile here, since owner feedback mentions vibrations and overheating concerns. Focus on overall condition, signs of neglected maintenance, and whether the car’s electronics and cooling system are working as they should.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The L is the bare-bones starting point, while the LS and LT add the core equipment most shoppers will want. The Premier brings the nicest rims and chrome trim, plus the most upscale presentation.
• Powertrain: The turbocharged 1.4-liter 4-cylinder is the only engine, and it is paired with either a 6-speed automatic or a 6-speed manual depending on trim.
• Safety package: The car has 10 airbags, including rear side thorax airbags and knee airbags for the driver and front passenger. Forward-collision alert, lane-keep assist, and auto high beams are available only on the Premier, while blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors are available on LT and Premier trims.
• Infotainment: The Cruze uses an 8-inch screen with MyLink, and it supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. OnStar 4G LTE Wi-Fi is included, and wireless smartphone charging is available with the Enhanced Convenience Package.
• Fuel efficiency: The test car returned 30 mpg in the city and 40 on the highway, and some Cruze models offer up to 42 mpg on the highway.

Which 2016 Chevrolet Cruze trim should I buy?

The 2016 Chevrolet Cruze is offered in 4 trim levels: L, LS, LT, Premier.

Here's the short version:

• L: This is the entry point, so it makes sense if you want the lowest starting price and can live with the most basic equipment.
• LS: This is the first step up for shoppers who want a more balanced everyday setup without stretching too far on price.
• LT: This is the best-value trim for most buyers because it sits in the core of the lineup and can be equipped with the infotainment and navigation features many shoppers want.
• Premier: This is the right pick if you want the nicest appearance and the most available safety and convenience equipment.

The safety package note matters here: forward-collision alert, lane-keep assist, and auto high beams are available only on Premier, while blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors are available on LT and Premier.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2016 Chevrolet Cruze?

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop patiently but still move quickly on the right car.

• Deal availability: 27.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,694 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 2.88% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 52.1% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $7,991, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze's resale value?

The current average of $8,171 sits slightly below last year's $8,414.

That softer pricing suggests the Cruze is still accessible on the used market, which can help keep it attractive to budget-minded shoppers. For you as a future seller, that also means resale value may depend heavily on condition, mileage, and equipment rather than broad market momentum.

Because the model has already moved down in price, a well-kept example is more likely to stand out than a neglected one. Cars with strong owner satisfaction tend to hold buyer interest better, especially when they offer useful features and good fuel economy.

Vehicles with solid owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.1/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze safe?

The Cruze is one of the few cars sold with rear side thorax airbags mounted in the seatbacks, and it has 10 airbags in total, including knee airbags for the driver and front passenger.

It earns an 8/10 safety score from our experts.

The safety content also notes that forward-collision alert, lane-keep assist, and auto high beams are available only on the Premier, while blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors are available on LT and Premier trims. A backup camera is standard.

One caveat is that the crash-test picture was still incomplete in the source material, so you should lean more heavily on the available equipment and the car’s condition when evaluating a used example.

Should I buy a 2016 Chevrolet Cruze or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2016 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2016 if:

• 27.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 52.1% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 2.88% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.1/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• The second-generation redesign gives the car a fresher, more polished feel than the outgoing version.

Consider the 2017 if:

• At $9,152, the 2017 costs more than the current year's $8,171 average.
• It adds a sloping rear hatch for more utility.

The bottom line: If you want the better value, the 2016 is the smarter starting point because it combines softer pricing with strong owner satisfaction and a well-rounded feature set. If you can spend more and want extra utility, the 2017 is worth a look for its hatchback body style.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 13, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.