The short answer: no. In most Cruze models, the rear suspension is not a strut-based setup; it uses a torsion-beam (twist-beam) axle with coil springs and separate shock absorbers, while the front uses MacPherson struts.
Overview of Cruze rear suspension
The Chevrolet Cruze is built on GM’s midsize compact platform lineage, and its front suspension is a traditional MacPherson strut arrangement. The rear, depending on generation and market, generally relies on a torsion-beam design rather than individual rear struts. This layout is common in compact cars aimed at balancing cost, space, and ride comfort.
Before listing specifics, note that Cruze configurations can vary by year and market. The following describes the typical rear-suspension arrangement found on most North American–market sedans and hatchbacks across its production years.
- Rear suspension: torsion-beam (twist-beam) axle with coil springs and separate dampers; not a rear strut setup.
Understanding this difference helps explain ride characteristics: a torsion-beam rear suspension tends to be simpler and more space-efficient, which can influence handling feel and cargo space compared with independent rear suspensions that use rear struts.
Front vs. rear suspension components
For context, the Cruze’s front suspension uses MacPherson struts, which combine the coil spring and shock absorber into a single strut assembly attached to the wheel hub. The rear suspension, by contrast, relies on a torsion-beam axle with coil springs and individual dampers, rather than a pair of rear struts.
Summary
Bottom line: the Chevy Cruze does not have rear struts. Its typical setup is front MacPherson struts and a rear torsion-beam (twist-beam) suspension with coil springs and separate shocks. If you’re checking a specific year or market variant, consult the owner’s manual or a factory service guide for that configuration, but the conventional Cruze design is not rear-strut-based.