Chevrolet CRUZE
HR51SStock varies — page stays liveThe initial entry-level specification of the Chevrolet Cruze in the Japanese market, powered by a 1.3-liter Suzuki-sourced M13A inline-four engine. It prioritized urban fuel economy and featured a lightweight, compact footprint.
Engine
M13A DOHC VVT
Displacement
1,328 cc
Drive
2WD (FF)
Gearbox
4AT / 5MT
Fuel
Petrol
Body
Hatchback
Chevrolet CRUZE — representative 1st Gen (HR) imageChassis variants of the CRUZE
ChassisEngineDisplacementDriveGearbox
HR51SM13A DOHC VVT1,328 ccFF4AT / 5MT
HR52SM15A DOHC VVT1,490 ccFF4AT / 5MTDimensions & shipping volume
Length
3,625 mm
Width
1,640 mm
Height
1,605 mm
Weight
950 kg
Shipping volume
9.54 M³
Manufacture year vs. registration year
Japanese paperwork shows the first registration date, but African customs count age from the month of manufacture. Verify with the chassis serial before purchase:
Serial prefixProduction periodSeries
HR51S-100XXXXXXNov 2001 – Nov 2003Pre-facelift
HR51S-200XXXXXXNov 2003 – Jul 2008Facelift
Import eligibility by country (2001–2008)
KenyaNot eligible
8-year limit from manufacture — all units now exceed it.UgandaNot eligible
15-year limit from manufacture — all units now exceed it.TanzaniaEligible
No age ban; vehicles over 10 years pay additional excise duty.ZambiaEligible
No age limit; surtax applies to vehicles older than 5 years.MalawiEligible
No age limit; duty calculated on cc and age band.Common questions about the HR51S
What is the relationship between this Chevrolet Cruze and Suzuki?
The HR-series Chevrolet Cruze was manufactured by Suzuki in Japan and shares its core architecture with the first-generation Suzuki Ignis (HT51S) and the Holden Cruze.
Was there a 4WD variant available for the HR51S?
Yes, while the standard drive layout was front-wheel drive (FF), a full-time 4WD option was also sold in Japan.