Chevrolet Cavalier

About

The Chevrolet Cavalier is a line of compact cars produced by Chevrolet. Serving as the replacement of the Chevrolet Monza, the Cavalier was the second Chevrolet model line to adopt front-wheel drive. Three versions of the Cavalier have been sold, including three generations sold in North America from model years 1982 to 2005, a version produced by SAIC-GM for China from 2016 to 2021, and a SAIC-GM version produced for Mexico since the 2019 model year.

Photo & info: Wikipedia

Specifications

From Wikipedia — confirm against the actual car before purchase.

Drivetrain: Front-engine, front-wheel-drive
Platform: J-body (1981–2005)
Class: Compact car
Predecessor: Chevrolet Monza
Successor: Chevrolet Cobalt (United States and Canada)

Generations

1982–1987 1988–1994 1995–2005

2016–2020

2021–present

Photos

Real cars from Wikimedia Commons — colours and trims as photographed.

1988–1994

1995–2005

2016–2020

2021–present

2022

Coupe

Photos: Wikimedia Commons — click any for full resolution & licence.

By year

Trims, economy and safety change year to year — pick one (US market).

1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Trim · engine	Drive	MPG comb (city/hwy)	CO₂ g/mi	Fuel cost
Auto 3-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L	Front-Wheel Drive	24 (21/29)	370	$2,800/yr
Auto 3-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L	Front-Wheel Drive	20 (18/24)	444	$3,400/yr
Man 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L	Front-Wheel Drive	25 (22/30)	355	$2,700/yr
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L	Front-Wheel Drive	25 (22/31)	355	$2,700/yr
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L	Front-Wheel Drive	20 (17/25)	444	$3,400/yr

Economy & emissionsCompact Cars

$1,500

more over 5 yrs vs. avg

11.9

Barrels/yr

Recalls & complaints

Recalls: 3 · Complaints: 26

Fuel system, gasoline
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
Vehicle speed control
ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE MAY CONTAIN WATER WHICH COULD FREEZE WHILE VEHICLE IS PARKED CAUSING TRAVEL OF ACCELERATOR CONTROL CABLE TO BECOME RESTRICTED WHEN THROTTLE IS INITIALLY OPENED.
Parking brake
PARKING BRAKE LEVER MECHANISMS MAY NOT PROPERLY ENGAGE WHEN APPLIED AS REQUIRED BY FMVSS 105. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: VEHICLE COULD UNEXPECTEDLY ROLL AWAY UNCONTROLLED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Top recall areas: Fuel system, gasoline · Vehicle speed control · Parking brake

Trims & economy: fueleconomy.gov · recalls & rating: NHTSA

Loading 1987…

Reviews & research

Independent reviews, news and owner communities — off-site.

Video reviews

Road tests & walkarounds on YouTube

Expert reviews

Edmunds, Car and Driver, MotorTrend & more

News

Latest coverage and updates

Owner community

Real-world ownership on Reddit

Full history

The complete Wikipedia entry

For sale

Find one for sale

Search the open market for a Chevrolet Cavalier now — eBay Motors plus sellers who list directly with rTracer. Live listings land here as the feed goes live.

Market value. No used Chevrolet Cavalier has one set price — see what they actually sold for recently, then compare with what's on the market now.

Search eBay Motors ↗See sold prices ↗

Maintenance & ownership

Check the Chevrolet Cavalier's recall history, investigations and owner complaints at NHTSA — the best free read on reliability and what tends to go wrong before you buy.

Check at NHTSA ↗

The universe

Coming: a full spec sheet, and a drivable 3D model of the Cavalier on any road in the rTracer atlas.

← Chevrolet