2005 Chevrolet Cavalier: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

Cavalier is unchanged for a brief 2005 finale. The new Cobalt is scheduled to take over during the year. Cavalier offers coupes and sedans and comes in four trim levels: 1SV, base, LS, and top-line LS Sport. All use a 4-cyl engine with manual transmission or optional automatic except the price-leader 1SV coupe, which is manual only and offers no options. ABS is available for base models, standard on LS and LS Sport. Available front side airbags provide torso and head protection. Other options include OnStar assistance for LS and LS Sport, satellite radio, and a CD player that reads MP3 discs. LS Sports wear lower-body flares and a rear spoiler. They also come with a firmer suspension and 16-inch alloy wheels that are included in a base-model Sport Appearance package. Other Cavaliers use 14- or 15-inch wheels. Pontiac's Sunfire shares Cavalier's basic design, but doesn't offer sedans.

COMPETITION

Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 17 classes based on size, price, and market position. Compact Cars comprise the smallest passengers cars. These vehicles range from tiny economy models to slightly larger popularly priced sedans, hatchbacks, and wagons.

Our Best Buys include the Chrysler PT Cruiser, Honda Civic, Mazda 3, and Pontiac Vibe/Toyota Matrix twins. Our Recommended picks include the Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Spectra, and Toyota Corolla.