2000 Chevrolet Prizm Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Chevrolet's version of the Toyota Corolla gets a little more power and added standard features for 2000. Prizm returns with base and uplevel LSi sedans powered by a Toyota-designed 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine that now gains 5 horsepower with the addition of variable valve timing. Manual transmission is standard, 3- and 4-speed automatics optional. Front seatbelt pre-tensioners remain standard, too. Antilock brakes return at extra cost, as do front side airbags.
Also for 2000, the base Prizm gains standard air conditioning like the LSi, plus 4-speaker AM/FM stereo and full wheel covers. LSi standards expand to include slightly wider 185/65R14 tires, power windows, rear defroster, tilt steering wheel, and a tachometer with outside temperature gauge, all of which had been options. Despite their design similarity, Prizm is outsold by Corolla 4-1.
The 2001 edition of the Prizm began trickling into showrooms this past spring, but unlike the Toyota Corolla on which it's based, Prizm received virtually no changes. Prizm's performance and accommodations mirror those of comparable Corolla models.

Competition

This crowded segment is best represented by two exceptional cars--one a Best Buy and the other a Recommended. Our Best Buy is the Honda Civic, which offers a wide range of bodystyles, engines, and equipment levels. Civic is a solid car that has good performance, a nice ride, and is very civilized.
Topping the Recommended list are the Volkswagen Golf and Jetta. They easily could be Best Buys as they are better than the Civic in many ways. However, they are also the most expensive cars in this segment. Other Recommended choices include the no-frills Chevrolet Cavalier and Dodge Neon, the slightly-upscale Chevy Prizm and clone Toyota Corolla, and the roomy Mazda Protege.
If you are looking for a Budget Buy we recommend you stay away from the Hyundai or Daewoo models and take a look at the Ford Escort.

News

Prizm's fate has always been tied to that of its parent, the Toyota Corolla, but that may well change. A leading motor industry weekly reports that when Corolla is redesigned for 2003, the Prizm sedan will be replaced by a 4-door sports wagon on the same new platform. This model will be exclusive to Chevrolet and may not be called Prizm.

2000 Chevrolet Prizm Road Test

Pros	Cons

Fuel economy	Rear-seat room

	Automatic transmission performance

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

Base, man.	LSi, auto.	Class Average
4	4	3.7

Manual-transmission models feel frisky. Acceleration is less satisfying with automatic transmission, which saps a lot of the engine's life and tends to hunt between gears.

Fuel Economy

Base, man.	LSi, auto.	Class Average
8	7	6.6

In combined city/highway driving, our test Prizms average around 25 mpg with automatic transmission and around 28 with manual.

Ride Quality

Base, man.	LSi, auto.	Class Average
4	4	3.5

Prizm's ride is nicely controlled, and while you'll feel even small bumps, the suspension isn't harsh.

Steering/Handling/Braking

Base, man.	LSi, auto.	Class Average
3	4	4.3

Steering is direct and sharp. All '99 Prizms get a front stabilizer bar that helps transform handling from sloppy to acceptable. For best control, opt for the 185/65R14 tires.

Quietness

Base, man.	LSi, auto.	Class Average
4	4	3.6

Road noise is noticed but is no louder than in most rivals.

Controls

Base, man.	LSi, auto.	Class Average
7	7	5.5

A radio mounted too low detracts from the good dashboard design. Hard plastic dominates the cabin, but Prizms we drove were free of squeaks and rattles.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

Base, man.	LSi, auto.	Class Average
4	4	4.2

Front-seaters get supportive buckets and plenty of space.

Room/Comfort (rear)

Base, man.	LSi, auto.	Class Average
2	2	2.8

Head room is adequate, but the already-tight leg and toe room shrink drastically with the front seats moved more than halfway back.

Cargo Room

Base, man.	LSi, auto.	Class Average
2	2	3.3

Trunk space is about average for this class, but the opening is large and access is bumper-height. The LSi's split-folding rear seatbacks thoughtfully incorporate a center pass-through.

Value within Class

Base, man.	LSi, auto.	Class Average
4	4	4.2

Prizm makes fine use of its Toyota genes and is a must-see in this class. Chevy dealers are likely to be discounting their version more than Toyota dealers are willing to deal on Corolla, which outsells the functionally identical Prizm and has stronger resale value.

Total Score

Base, man.	LSi, auto.	Class Average
42	42	41.7

Scores for all Compact Cars

Low Score		27
Average Score		41
High Score		54

2000 Chevrolet Prizm Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 05/31/2000

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

Base 4-door sedan	$13,960	$13,290	$465

LSi 4-door sedan	$16,010	$14,761	$465

Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.

NA = price note available, NC = no charge.

Rebates and Incentives

There are no rebates or incentives at this time.

Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.

Standard Equipment

Base

Powertrain

1.8-liter dohc engine, 5-speed manual transmission.

Safety

Dual front airbags, daytime running lights.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning, power steering, cloth reclining front bucket seats, center console, cupholders, AM/FM radio, digital clock, variable intermittent wipers, automatic headlights, visor mirrors, remote fuel door and decklid release, floormats.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Dual outside mirrors, wheel covers, 175/65R14 tires.

LSi adds to Base:

Comfort and Convenience Features

Cruise control, tilt steering wheel, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/cassette, tachometer, outside temperature indicator, rear defogger, split folding rear seat w/trunk pass-through.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

185/65R14 tires.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
Preferred Equipment Group 2
Base	$570	$490
Cruise control, power door locks, AM/FM/cassette.

Powertrain
3-speed automatic transmission
Base, LSi	$495	$426


4-speed automatic transmission
Base, LSi	$800	$688


Safety
Antilock brakes
Base, LSi	$645	$555


Front side-impact airbags
Base, LSi	$295	$254


Integrated child safety seat
LSi	$125	$108


Comfort and Convenience Features
Tilt steering wheel
Base	$80	$69


Cruise control
Base	$185	$159


Rear defogger
Base	$180	$155


Power door locks
Base	$220	$189


Power windows
Base	$300	$258


Power sunroof
Base, LSi	$675	$581


Tachometer
Base	$70	$60
Includes outside temperature indicator.

AM/FM/cassette
Base	$165	$141


AM/FM/CD player
Base	$215	$185
Base w/Preferred Group 2, LSi	$50	$43


Appearance and Miscellaneous
Alloy wheels
Base, LSi	$283	$243

2000 Chevrolet Prizm Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Chevrolet Prizm 4-door sedan

Wheelbase, in.	97.1

Overall Length, in.	174.2

Overall Width, in.	66.7

Overall Height, in.	53.7

Curb Weight, lbs.	2403

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	12.1

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	13.2

Seating Capacity	5

Front Head Room, in.	39.3

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	42.5

Rear Head Room, in.	36.9

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	33.2

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Engines

	dohc I4

Size, liters/cu. in.	1.8 /110

Horsepower @ rpm.	125 @ 5600

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	125 @ 4000

Availability	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

5-speed manual	31/37

3-speed automatic	28/33

Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Safety Features

Antilock Brakes

Traction Control

Antiskid System

Front Side Airbags

Curtain Side Airbags

Rear Side Airbags

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	Chevrolet Prizm 4-door sedan

Front Impact, Driver	4

Front Impact, Passenger	4

Side Impact, Driver	4

Side Impact, Rear Passenger	3

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Manufacturer's Warranty

Class	Years/Miles	Comments

Powertrain	None/--	--

Bumper-to-bumper	3/36,000	--

Corrosion	6/100,000	--

Free roadside assistance	3/36,000	--

Free scheduled maintenance	None/--	--

Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.

Built in: USA

Drivewheels: front-wheel drive

< 2000 Chevrolet Prizm Photos

Also in the 2000 Chevrolet Prizm Review:

Chevrolet Prizm

Chevrolet Prizm Road Test

Chevrolet Prizm Prices & Equipment

Chevrolet Prizm Specs & Safety

Chevrolet Prizm Photos

Chevrolet Prizm Full Review

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