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CHEVROLET Cavalier Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

Generations: 5
First production year: 1994
Engines: Gasoline
Body style: Coupé (two-door)
CHEVROLET Cavalier Coupe photo gallery

Chevrolet introduced the third generation of the Cavalier in 1995. Still, it constantly upgraded it, and, by 2003, it solved most of the car's infancy problems for both versions, the sedan, and the coupe.

Built on top of the J-body platform, the 2003 Cavalier Coupe ditched the sluggish 115 hp that could hardly match the car's look. Moreover, the carmaker improved the safety features and offered ABS either as standard or as an option depending on the trim level.

Even after eight years on the market, the Cavalier Coupe didn't look that old. Since it was penned with some new-edge design influences, it manages to age well. Moreover, the 2003 model featured a completely new front fascia, with a redesigned bumper with integrated grille. A sportier-looking apron with a lip on the bottom and two side scoops adorned it on the lower side. The new headlights showed an angular look, with corner-mounted turn signals.

On the other hand, the interior was still made with low-cost materials, hard plastic. But on the up-side, the new seats provided better side support. Moreover, the side-impact airbags became standard for the 2003 model. In addition, for a better commute, the carmaker offered an option for XM radio with 100 channels to listen to.

Under the hood, Chevrolet installed a 2.2-liter engine for the base version. With its 140 ponies on tap, it gave the little coupe the sporty driving experience it deserved. Unfortunately, the rear axle remained the same, albeit it had a stiffer sport suspension.

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CHEVROLET Cavalier photo gallery

By 1993, Cavalier was the most popular product in the GM's line and the fourth best-selling vehicle in the U.S., but it was already an old model, so, in 1995, Chevrolet introduced a new generation.

While most of its Cavalier customers were car-fleet and rental companies, Chevrolet tried to sell the small four-door vehicle to private customers as well. Thus, they worked hard to develop the J-body generation, which was available in three shapes: coupe, convertible, and sedan.

The design was very different than the third Cavalier generation. It featured a narrow front end with a curved hood and raked A-pillars. Its headlights were designed with curved lines ended in sharp angles on the sides. The arched roofline and sloped rear windscreen gave the car an Asian or European look. But that wasn't all; in the back, the taillights were spread across the quarter fenders and the trunk lid, which was not very common for a Chevrolet.

Inside, the fleet and rental car feeling were alive and well. The interior featured cheap plastic, a toothbrush-style gate for the automatic transmission lever, and buttons that could look good on a dryer. Nevertheless, the upholstery didn't offer a charming look. At the front, the low and flat seats didn't provide any kind of bolstering, and in the back, the flat bench was, at most, adequate for two adults and hardly acceptable for three.

The surprise was on the technical side, where Chevrolet offered a strong 2.2-liter engine, which was developed by Opel in Europe and detuned by GM in the U.S. to run with 82 octane gasoline. A five-speed manual was fitted as standard, while a four-speed automatic was on the options list.

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CHEVROLET Cavalier Convertible photo gallery

Chevrolet tried to get more market share and introduced an affordable open-top version for the third generation of the small-sized Cavalier.

The American carmaker introduced the Cavalier nameplate on the U.S. market in 1981 for a vehicle based on the European Opel Ascona/Vauxhall Cavalier. It was a simple, affordable solution for Chevrolet to offer a compact-sized lineup that could get more attention from the younger customers. While the first generation was focused on practicality, its successor changed its focus toward sporty driving and open-top experiences. Chevrolet introduced the third generation in 1995 as a sedan, a coupe, and a convertible. It fought against Honda Civic, which didn't have a rag-top version.

Its rounded lines and swept-back headlights looked fresh on the market. The cabriolet was based on the coupe version and shared a few body panels with that. While its design was not very aggressive or bold, it wasn't bald either.

Inside, the carmaker installed a curved shape for the instrument cluster that went on to the center stack. Its four-dials instrument panel featured a center-mounted speedometer with the tachometer on the right. Even though the car sported four seats, the rear ones were more suitable for a pet or a small child in a child seat.

Under the hood, Chevrolet installed a 2.2-liter gasoline engine provided by Opel and detuned for the U.S. market to comply with the emission tests. It was paired to a standard 5-speed manual while a 4-speed automatic was on the options list.

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CHEVROLET Cavalier Coupe photo gallery

When Chevrolet tried to make an econobox, sporty vehicle, it came with this: the 1994 Cavalier, one of the most affordable coupes on the market.

The Cavalier was available in three body shapes: coupe, convertible, and four-door sedan. The coupe was built to compete against the Honda Civic and Dodge Neon and received an Asian-European styling while keeping the same plastic interior as any other Chevrolet from that era.

Its rounded lines and swept-back headlights looked fresh on the market. The arched roofline and sloped rear window made the car looks sporty. In the back, its taillights were spread across the quarter panels and the trunk. Chevrolet offered the car with a standard set of steel wheels, which looked too small and lost under the wheel-arches, but offered bigger alloys with wider tires on the options list.

Inside, the carmaker installed a curved shape for the instrument cluster that went on to the center stack. Its four-dials instrument panel featured a center-mounted speedometer with the tachometer on the right. The rear seats were good for two not-so-grown adults, as long as the front occupants didn't have to move their seats all the way to the back.

Under the hood, Chevrolet installed a 2.2-liter gasoline engine provided by Opel and detuned for the U.S. market to comply with the emission tests. For the Z24 version, it installed a 2.4-liter unit that provided more power and torque than its main rival, the Dodge Neon.

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CHEVROLET Cavalier photo gallery

Designed as an affordable, American alternative to the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla, the 1994 Cavalier was an important vehicle in Chevrolet's lineup. The car was supposed to put more people behind a bow-tie branded vehicle and keep them there.

Usually, the coupe version of a vehicle is sold in smaller numbers than its four-door sibling. However, on the 1994 Cavalier, it was exactly the opposite. The family-oriented version often struggled with less than half the sales numbers of the Coupe. One of the reasons might be the "poor" overall score managed by the car in the IIHS in the offset collision test.

Despite all problems, it was a well-designed vehicle. Its narrow front end and the nicely curved headlights ended in sharp angles were clear signs of a new-edge design trend, which was supposed to be appealing to the younger generation. It was also offered in various trim levels and some versions for car rental companies. The raked windshield gave the impression of a sporty, Civic-like sedan but with a more rounded greenhouse. The short trunk lid gave the car a cab-forward look. Regardless of the trim level, the door handles and mirrors were black.

Inside, a sense of cheap plastic interior dominated the ambiance. Its gray plastic dashboard was nicely shaped, but the materials' quality was below average. Despite the standard dual-airbag installed on the car, it didn't provide too much protection. The low-quality fabric on the base version was upgraded for the upper trim levels. Still, they were, at best, mediocre.

Under the hood, GM installed fuel-efficient engines that could provide up to 150 hp, which was not bad at all. Power went to the front wheels via either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic.

full description and technical specifications