1994 CHEVROLET Cavalier 2.2L 5MT FWD (120 HP)

Vehicle Overview

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.