Powertrains fitted to the Cruze are the 1.6 litre Family 1 four-cylinder, a 1.8 litre version of the same and a 2.0 litre VM Motori RA 420 SOHC turbocharged common rail diesel.
All three engines are coupled to a five-speed manual or optional six-speed automatic transmission featuring Active Select. From 2010, a new turbocharged 1.4 litre Family 0 engine with gasoline direct-injection will be introduced.