The Chevrolet Cavalier is a series of compact cars manufactured and marketed by Chevrolet, a division of General Motors Company, from 1981 to 2005, from 2016 to 2021 in China, and from 2019 to the present time in Mexico.
Chevrolet Cavalier Introduction
The Cavalier debuted alongside other vehicles built on the GM J platform. The J platform was designed to be used by all of GM's North American divisions (save for GMC) as well as Opel, Vauxhall, and Holden, making it one of the very first "world cars" produced by GM. While the Vauxhall Cavalier and Opel Ascona were both classified as mid-size automobiles in Europe, the J-body cars sold in Australia had a somewhat different body style and engine.
History of the Chevrolet Cavalier
First Generation Chevrolet Cavalier (1982–1988)
The first Cavaliers hit the market in May of 1981 as 1982 models, with front-wheel drive, two carbureted variants of the GM 122 series four-cylinder pushrod engines, and a selection of two and four-door sedan, hatchback, as well as station wagon body designs. In 1983, the manufacturing of convertibles commenced, and Chevrolet made less than a thousand in the first year. Vauxhall, a former British subsidiary of General Motors, first used the Cavalier nameplate for badge-engineered versions of the Opel Ascona; the Ascona's third generation was the first J-body vehicle to hit the market.
Timeline:
- 1982 - 1.8-liter carbureted L46 inline 4 (only engine available)
- 1983 - 2.0-liter fuel-injected LQ5 (replaced the 1.8-liter)
- 1984 - Chevy revised the design of the Cavalier
- 1985 - 2.8 liter LB6 V6 (option)
- 1986 - Z24 package (option - digital gauges, sport wheels, a ground effects kit, and a specific front facia)
- 1987 - 2.0-liter and 2.8-liter engines were refreshed for the second generations
Second Generation Chevrolet Cavalier (1988–1995)
In 1987, for the 1988 model year, the Cavalier received a total revamp. Only the coupe, sedan, wagon, and convertible remained, while the 3-door hatchback was discontinued. While the carmaker modernized the coupe's body, the sedan and wagon remained mainly unaltered behind the doors. As a result, the coupe and sedan each have unique trunk shapes. In 1988, buyers could choose between the VL, RS, and Z24 trim levels. Chevy offered only the Z24 in a drop-top configuration. The 2.0L overhead cam (OHC) L4 engine with throttle-body injection (TBI) was standard on the VL and RS and made 90 horsepower (67 kW), while the 2.8L V6 with 125 hp (93 kW) was available on the RS and came standard on the Z24.
Timeline:
- 1989 - Redesigned steering column; rear shoulder belts became standard
- 1990 - Base engine became 2.2 L OHV L4; V6 engine became 3.1 L V6
- 1991 - The vehicle was restyled
- 1991 - Minor changes were made
- 1990 - 2.2 L OHV engine received multi-point fuel injection (MPFI)
- 1993 - Convertibles got glass rear windows
- 1994 - Redesigned vehicle
Third Generation Chevrolet Cavalier (1995–2005)
In 1995, Chevrolet gave the Cavalier its first comprehensive redesign, increasing its size and making it more aerodynamic, with some inspiration from the fourth-generation Chevrolet Camaro. While the carmaker modernized the coupe's body, the sedan and wagon remained mainly unaltered behind the doors. As a result, the coupe and sedan each have unique trunk shapes. Both 15- and 16-inch wheels were made available for the automobile. The Cavalier surpassed all other General Motors models in sales by 1997. When it came to the third generation's powerplant, only inline-four options were available. The V6 engine choice, offered in the first and second generation, was removed and replaced with a new four-cylinder of comparable power output.
Facelifts
The Cavalier's third-generation face was revised twice. In 1999, the front and rear bumper fascias were updated, while the headlights and taillights on 2000 vehicles received similar treatment. For the 2003 model year, it received a more substantial redesign that consisted of a new front end, new taillights, a full-width reflector, a new rear spoiler, and a new bumper fascia. Lordstown Assembly is where Chevy made most Cavaliers, but South Gate Assembly (1982 model year only) has also worked on the car.
- Lansing Car Assembly (1995-1998 coupes)
- Lansing Craft Centre (1996-2000 convertibles)
- Janesville Assembly
- Ramos Arizpe
- Leeds Assembly
In 2005, production of the Cavalier ended.
Fourth Generation Chevrolet Cavalier (2016–2021)
Cavalier is back for Chevrolet on a new compact sedan below the Cruze exclusive to China and goes by the Chinese moniker Chevrolet Kewozi. The 2016 Cavalier debuted on September 2 at the Chengdu Auto Show. It shares the Delta II platform with the original Cruze and is powered by the same 1.5L four-cylinder engine seen in other small GM cars sold in China, such as the Chevrolet Sail. Cavalier deliveries began in September, and its first month of availability saw nearly 10,000 units delivered. However, there are signs that the Cavalier is eating into sales of the first-generation Cruze, which is still on sale in China despite being discontinued in the United States. The fourth-generation Cavalier has replaced the Chevrolet Sonic in Mexico as of 2018. The Cavalier received only modest updates for the 2020 model year in Mexico. As of September 23, 2019, you might purchase a new Cavalier for 2020. Even though it was still being shipped to other countries in 2019, the car was taken off the Chinese domestic market in favor of the Chevrolet Monza.
Fifth Generation Chevrolet Cavalier (2021–Present)
Beginning in the latter half of 2021 as a 2022 model, sales of the fifth-generation Cavalier have been ongoing in Mexico. It's a Chinese-made sedan previously sold under the Chevrolet Monza name. Cavalier Turbo is the new name for this vehicle because of its improved powertrain.
Price
For the 2022 model year, Chevrolet retails the 2022 Chevrolet Cavalier with a starting manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $20,270 for the Turbo LS, $21,680 for the Turbo LT, and $23,140 for the Turbo RS (top-spec) variant.
Features of the Chevrolet Cavalier
You could hardly call it an ugly sedan, but few would say it's thrilling. LED headlights and 16-inch alloy wheels are standard equipment. There's an 8-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system, and there are features like blind-spot monitoring for added safety. A more significant change, and the reason for the new moniker, is the use of power generated using forced induction.
Release Date
Chevrolet released the Chevrolet Cavalier from 1981 to 2005, from 2016 to 2021 in China, and from 2019 to the present time in the Mexican market.