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Chevrolet Cruze vs Ford Focus
Depreciation, used prices, ownership costs and model-year data compared
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Chevrolet Cruze Depreciation & Resale Value
Buying a 2015 model instead of new saves roughly $11,671 off the original sticker.
The Chevrolet Cruze is a compact car sold as a sedan and hatchback, with turbocharged gasoline and diesel variants represented across the observed model years.
Market context: The sample crosses the 2016 redesign and ends with the Cruze's final 2019 U.S. model year; no synthetic 2020 market observation is added after domestic production ended.
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Compare the Chevrolet Cruze with its closest rivals
Open a side-by-side comparison of five-year value retention, depreciation by model year, used asking prices, repair costs, MPG and safety data.
At a glance
Key takeaways
Biggest drop
2016→2015
+8.4% in one year
Smart-buy year
2015
~$7,394 median
Depreciation by Model Year
| Model year | Depreciation from MSRP |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 47.0% |
| 2018 | 53.1% |
| 2017 | 56.0% |
| 2016 | 60.5% |
| 2015 | 68.9% |
Based on 866 real used-car listings. Each listing's price is adjusted to a standard 12,000 mi/year for its age and compared to the vehicle's original MSRP; figures reflect a 5% asking-to-sale estimate.
Resale Value by Age
Estimated value of a typical Chevrolet Cruze as it ages, from a ~$21,720 new price.
| Age | Retained | Est. value | Lost that year | Total lost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 yr | 100% | $21,720 | — | −$0 |
| 2 yrs | 90% | $19,626 | −$2,094 | −$2,094 |
| 3 yrs | 81% | $17,551 | −$2,075 | −$4,169 |
| 4 yrs | 72% | $15,696 | −$1,855 | −$6,024 |
| 5 yrs | 65% | $14,036 | −$1,660 | −$7,684 |
| 6 yrs | 58% | $12,552 | −$1,484 | −$9,168 |
| 7 yrs | 52% | $11,225 | −$1,327 | −$10,495 |
| 8 yrs | 46% | $10,038 | −$1,187 | −$11,682 |
Interactive tool
What's your Cruze worth?
Estimate a used Cruze's value from its year and mileage, using our depreciation model.
Estimated value
$7,200
about typical mileage
At 132,000 miles (about typical for a 11-year-old car, ~132,000 mi). Estimate only — actual value depends on condition, trim, options, and local demand.
Should You Buy a Used Chevrolet Cruze?
If you're shopping for a Chevrolet Cruze, it's an average bet for resale. The smartest pick is a 2015 (around $7,394) — it sits just past the steepest depreciation, so the first owner already absorbed the biggest loss. Favor the LS trim for the best resale, and always pull a vehicle-history report before buying.
Pros
- Proven longevity — examples regularly list past 150,000 miles and still sell for around $7,000.
- The LS trim holds its value best if resale matters to you.
Watch-outs
- The steepest single-year drop hits between 2016 and 2015 — buying brand-new costs you that loss.
What Affects Chevrolet Cruze Resale Value
The steepest single-year drop happens between the 2016 and 2015 model years, when depreciation jumps 8.4% points. That makes the 2015 Cruze a value sweet spot — the previous owner absorbs the worst of the drop, and you still get a relatively recent car.
Not all trims age alike — the LS retains the most value (~43.9% depreciation) and the 2LT Auto the least (~73.5%), a gap worth thousands when you resell.
Which Chevrolet Cruze Trims Hold Value Best
Share of original MSRP retained, averaged across model years.
LS
56.1% kept· 79 listings
LT
49.9% kept· 109 listings
LT Auto
45.7% kept· 252 listings
Premier Auto
44.3% kept· 37 listings
LS Auto
43.6% kept· 167 listings
Premier
38.6% kept· 30 listings
1LT Auto
33.7% kept· 102 listings
How Long Does the Chevrolet Cruze Last?
Mileage profile across 866 listings.
Over 100k mi
54.6%
Over 150k mi
9.9%
Highest mileage
258,590 mi
Price at 120k+ mi
$7,000
Roughly 54.6% of listed Chevrolet Cruzes have already crossed 100,000 miles, and 9.9% are past 150,000 — a sign these go the distance with maintenance.
Smartest Year to Buy
The 2015 Chevrolet Cruze sits just past the steepest depreciation drop, with a typical asking price around $7,394 — about $11,671 off its original MSRP.
View 2015 details →Price & Depreciation by Year
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best year to buy a used Chevrolet Cruze?
The 2015 Cruze is the value sweet spot: it sits just past the model's steepest one-year depreciation drop, so the first owner has already absorbed the biggest loss. Expect to pay around $7,394 for a typical example, and the LS trim will hold its value best from there. As always, a well-maintained, accident-free example with average mileage for its age is worth paying a little more for than a cheap car with a questionable history. Whatever year you settle on, budget for a pre-purchase inspection — at a couple hundred dollars, it's the cheapest insurance against an expensive surprise down the road.
Which Chevrolet Cruze trim holds its value best?
The LS retains the most value, depreciating about 43.9% on average across model years in our data. Trim choice can swing resale by thousands of dollars over a few years, because desirable trims stay in demand on the used market while stripped-down or niche trims sell at a discount. It's also worth comparing the trim premium new versus used — a pricier trim sometimes depreciates enough to become the smarter used buy. If you expect to resell, the LS is the safer bet; if you're keeping the car long-term, buy the trim with the features you actually want and worry less about resale.
Methodology
Depreciation is computed from 866 real used-car listings. Each listing's asking price is normalized to a standard 12,000 miles per year for the vehicle's age, adjusted by a 5% asking-to-sale estimate, and compared against the original base MSRP for that VIN's trim. Headline 1/3/5-year figures reflect a smoothed retention curve fitted across all model years (the typical trajectory); individual years in the table above can run above or below it with market conditions. Full methodology. Updated August 2026.