Chevrolet Cavalier

The Chevrolet Cavalier was Chevrolet's version of the compact GM J platform which consisted of the Cavalier, Cadillac Cimarron, Buick Skyhawk, Pontiac Sunbird and the Oldsmobile Firenza, as well as the European Opel Ascona C and the Vauxhall Cavalier Mk II.

The Cavalier was one of the most popular cars in America from its introduction in early 1981 as a 1982 model. It was affordable, reliable, and got respectable gas mileage. The Cavalier replaced the Chevrolet Monza, and competed with other compact cars that debuted in 1981 -- (e.g the Ford Escort and Dodge Aries). For several years in the late 1980's, the Cavalier was the best selling model in the US, and it was a perennial top seller in Canada also. Perhaps the Cavalier's greatest downfall was its poor crash test ratings, most notably the high risk of pelvic injury in the 3rd Generation body style(according to the NHTSA). Although the Cavalier had major restylings in 1988 and 1995, the car was widely panned and criticized in automotive publications for its aging platform and interior design and quality. The Cavalier had been Chevrolet's entry-level car from 1989 to 1997 (1992 in Canada), and in 2001-2002, while the Prizm (a clone of the Toyota Corolla) was smaller and more expensive than the Cavalier.

Production

Most Cavaliers were built at GM's assembly line in Lordstown, Ohio, although they have also been produced in Lansing, Michigan, Janesville, Wisconsin, and Coahuila, Mexico.

Production of the Cavalier ended September 1, 2004, with the 2005 model year run. The Cavalier was replaced by the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt and in Mexico, the Chevrolet Astra.

Generations

• 1st generation (1982-1987)
• 2nd generation (1988-1994)
• 3rd generation (1995-2005)

Engines used

• 1.8L inline-4 OHV
• 1.8L inline-4 SOHC (Not used in Cavalier)
• 1.8L inline-4 SOHC Turbo (1984-1987) (Not used in Cavalier)
• 2.0L inline-4 OHV (Cavalier-specific)
• 2.0L inline-4 SOHC (Not used in Cavalier)
• 2.0L inline-4 SOHC Turbo (1987-1990 Pontiac Sunbird/Buick Skyhawk Turbo only)
• 2.8L V6 MPFI (available in Mexican models until 1994)
• 2.2L inline-4 OHV
• 2.2L inline-4 OHV "2200 SFI"

• 1991-1994 3.1 3.1L MPFI (191in³) V6
• 1992-1994 2.2L (134in³) I4
• 1995 Quad-4 2.3L (138in³) I4
• 1996-2002 LD9 2.4L (146in³) I4
• 2002-2005 Ecotec 2.2L (134in³) I4