Which Chevy Cruze is top of the line?

[StAllison]

The Chevrolet Cruze Premier is unequivocally the top-of-the-line trim. Positioned above the L, LS, LT, and former Premier RS trims, the Premier bundles all available luxury and technology features into one package. For the final model years, market data indicates the Premier trim typically commanded a $4,000 to $5,000 premium over the base LS model, reflecting its comprehensive upgrade in materials, comfort, and advanced driver-assistance systems.

This trim distinguishes itself with a suite of features aimed at delivering a premium compact car experience. The interior receives significant upgrades, including heated leather-appointed seats for both front occupants, a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a power-adjustable driver’s seat. The aesthetic is enhanced with chrome exterior accents and available 18-inch alloy wheels.

Technologically, the Cruze Premier is fully equipped. It features an 8-inch Chevrolet MyLink Infotainment system with navigation, Bose premium audio, and both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration as standard. A critical differentiator is the inclusion of advanced safety features. The Premier trim comes with Forward Collision Alert, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert, which were often optional or unavailable on lower trims.

From a resale perspective, industry valuation guides like Kelley Blue Book have historically noted that well-equipped, high-trim models like the Premier can retain a marginally stronger value proportionally, assuming similar mileage and condition, due to their desirability in the used market. However, the absolute value difference narrows over time compared to the original MSRP gap.

The following table outlines the key feature progression to the Premier trim:

Feature Category	Lower Trims (e.g., LS, LT)	Cruze Premier (Top Trim)
Seating Material	Cloth or leatherette	Leather-appointed, heated front seats
Steering Wheel	Urethane or leather-wrapped	Heated, leather-wrapped
Driver's Seat	Manual adjustment	Power-adjustable (10-way)
Audio System	Standard 6-speaker system	Bose 9-speaker premium system
Safety Suite	Often optional or limited	Standard advanced driver-assistance features
Exterior Elements	Smaller wheels, less chrome	18-inch wheels, chrome accents standard

In essence, choosing the Cruze Premier meant opting for the maximum available comfort, convenience, and safety technology Chevrolet offered in the Cruze lineup, making it the definitive top-tier model.

[HarmonyFitz]

As someone who owned a Cruze Premier for five years, the “top of the line” label is about the daily comfort details. That heated steering wheel was a game-changer in winter—no more freezing fingers on the way to work. The leather seats and the Bose sound system made my commute feel a lot more luxurious than you’d expect in a compact car. It just felt like a more complete, polished car compared to the lower-trim models I test-drove. You’re paying for those everyday upgrades that you actually notice and use.

[Tyrone]

If you’re looking at used Cruzes and see “Premier,” that’s the one with all the bells and whistles. Don’t just check for leather seats. Make sure the infotainment screen is the larger 8-inch one with built-in navigation. The crucial thing is the safety tech. Pop the VIN into a decoder or ask the seller to confirm features like automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assist. These were standard on the Premier but often missing on LT models. Also, look for the 18-inch alloy wheels and the chrome trim around the windows. These are quick visual giveaways that you’re looking at the fully loaded version.

[CassandraAnn]

Is the Premier worth it? It depends. The extra cost bought you real, tangible upgrades: genuine leather, seat heaters, a premium audio system, and important safety tech that became standard. For a family car or someone spending lots of time driving, those features significantly improve the experience and were worth the investment. If you just need basic transportation, an LT is perfectly fine. But if you want the nicest, most comfortable, and best-equipped Cruze ever made, your search begins and ends with the Premier trim. There’s no model above it.

[VonAlexander]

My perspective is from the dealership side. When customers asked for the best Cruze, we directed them straight to the Premier. It was the only trim that included every available feature without needing to add confusing option packages. The window sticker was straightforward. For the final model years, the Premier’s standard equipment list was its main selling point. We noticed that buyers who compared it directly to an LT with similar options found the Premier’s bundled pricing often made sense. In the used market now, a well-maintained Premier is easier to sell because it represents the known peak of the model line. Shoppers understand they’re getting the maximum feature set, which simplifies the decision.