2005 Chevrolet Cavalier

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2005 Chevrolet Cavalier
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Key Specs
Our Take
Overview
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Reviews
Safety & Recalls
Warranty & CPO
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Key Specs

of the 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier. Base trim shown.

Our Take

From the Cars.com Vehicle Test Team

The Good

  • Performance for its class
  • Proven powertrain
  • Familiar appearance
  • Price

The Bad

  • Antiquated design
  • Nearing end of production
  • Resale value
  • NHTSA side-impact crash-test ratings

Notable Features of the 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier

  • Coupe and sedan body styles
  • 140-hp four-cylinder
  • Manual or automatic
  • FWD layout

2005 Chevrolet Cavalier Overview

By Cars.com Editors
Vehicle Overview
Chevrolet's smallest car got a fresh exterior look, including a restyled hood, grille and fascia, for the 2003 model year. The fenders and greenhouse were essentially unchanged, but the headlights and taillights were new. An antilock braking system was offered as an option rather than standard equipment.

Nothing has changed for 2005 except the compressed natural gas version was dropped from the lineup. With the emergence of the smaller Aveo and the new-for-2005 compact Cobalt, the role of the Cavalier is diminishing appreciably. Still, in 2003 the Cavalier headed Chevrolet's passenger-car lineup in sales, beating the full-size Impala.

Similar to the Pontiac Sunfire coupe, the front-wheel-drive Cavalier comes in both coupe and sedan forms. Base, LS and LS Sport trim levels are offered. A 140-horsepower, 2.2-liter four-cylinder Ecotec engine is standard in all models.

Exterior
Both the two- and four-door versions have a 104.1-inch wheelbase and measure 182.7 inches long overall. The LS Sport model includes ground-effects body components, chrome-plated aluminum wheels, a rear spoiler, rocker moldings, integrated fog lamps and an FE2 sport suspension.

The Cavalier's front end displays Chevrolet's gold bowtie emblem. These compact cars can be equipped with a high-profile rear spoiler, chrome-plated aluminum wheels and body-colored door handles.

Interior
All Cavalier models have five seating positions, although using all three in back would make most ad...
Vehicle Overview
Chevrolet's smallest car got a fresh exterior look, including a restyled hood, grille and fascia, for the 2003 model year. The fenders and greenhouse were essentially unchanged, but the headlights and taillights were new. An antilock braking system was offered as an option rather than standard equipment.

Nothing has changed for 2005 except the compressed natural gas version was dropped from the lineup. With the emergence of the smaller Aveo and the new-for-2005 compact Cobalt, the role of the Cavalier is diminishing appreciably. Still, in 2003 the Cavalier headed Chevrolet's passenger-car lineup in sales, beating the full-size Impala.

Similar to the Pontiac Sunfire coupe, the front-wheel-drive Cavalier comes in both coupe and sedan forms. Base, LS and LS Sport trim levels are offered. A 140-horsepower, 2.2-liter four-cylinder Ecotec engine is standard in all models.

Exterior
Both the two- and four-door versions have a 104.1-inch wheelbase and measure 182.7 inches long overall. The LS Sport model includes ground-effects body components, chrome-plated aluminum wheels, a rear spoiler, rocker moldings, integrated fog lamps and an FE2 sport suspension.

The Cavalier's front end displays Chevrolet's gold bowtie emblem. These compact cars can be equipped with a high-profile rear spoiler, chrome-plated aluminum wheels and body-colored door handles.

Interior
All Cavalier models have five seating positions, although using all three in back would make most adults feel cramped. The rear seatback folds down to add cargo space beyond the trunk's basic capacity, which is 13.2 cubic feet in the coupe and 13.6 cubic feet in the sedan. The center console contains slots for coins, cassettes and CDs, as well as cupholders for front and rear passengers.

A CD player is standard in upper-end models, and a CD/MP3 radio is optional. General Motors' OnStar communication system, which is available in the LS and LS Sport, can provide automatic notification of airbag deployment, remote door unlocking, convenience services and roadside assistance. XM Satellite Radio is also available.

Under the Hood
A 2.2-liter four-cylinder Ecotec engine develops 140 hp and teams with either a four-speed-automatic or five-speed-manual transmission.

Safety
Antilock brakes and side-impact airbags are available, and all five seating positions have three-point seat belts. GM's PassLock theft-deterrent system must read an electronic code embedded in the key before the engine will start, so unauthorized duplicates will not work.

Driving Impressions
Driving a Cavalier might not qualify as a memorable experience, but the long-lived compact is a capable and practical automobile that manages to exhibit a dash of sportiness � at least in two-door form. Its ride and handling set no standards, but this vehicle scores passably well on both counts by maneuvering with relative ease and yielding reasonable comfort. The occasional hard bump can produce quite a jolt inside the car.

The Cavalier's performance should satisfy most drivers. The current 140-hp engine responds eagerly; a manual transmission isn't necessary to take advantage of the engine's potential. Although the five-speed manual is a trifle rubbery and has long throws, it works acceptably.


Latest 2005 Cavalier Stories

See all 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier articles >

Consumer Reviews

4.0
24 reviews
Exterior Styling
(3.8)
Performance
(4.0)
Interior Design
(3.4)
Comfort
(3.6)
Reliability
(4.4)
Value For The Money
(4.2)

What Drivers Are Saying

(1.0)

Worst car I've owned

by Braaaaapppppp!!!! from GA on August 18, 2018

The motor is made out of aluminum. Very easy to blow a head gasket, its not a reliable car unless the person who owned it before you too very good care of the car and motor. Other than the kind of ... Read full review

(4.0)

Great option for snowy climates

by Tyrell from Cedar City on April 22, 2018

I have taken this car back and forth from Brian head in Utah, I’ve driven it on highways and windy roads in the winter, and it is excellent in the snow. Very basic car which keeps repairs cheap and is ... Read full review

Safety & Recalls

Recalls

The 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier currently has 1 recall

Crash and Rollover Test Ratings

The 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier has not been tested.

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Cars.com Car Seat Check

Certified child passenger safety technicians conduct hands-on tests of a car’s Latch system and check the vehicle’s ability to accommodate different types of car seats. The Cavalier received the following grades on a scale of A-F.*
* This score may not apply to all trims, especially for vehicles with multiple body styles that affect the space and design of the seating.

Warranty FAQs

What is a Bumper-to-Bumper warranty?

Often called a basic warranty or new-vehicle warranty, a bumper-to-bumper policy covers components like air conditioning, audio systems, vehicle sensors, fuel systems and major electrical components. Most policies exclude regular maintenance like fluid top offs and oil changes, but a few brands have separate free-maintenance provisions, and those that do offer them is slowly rising. Bumper-to-bumper warranties typically expire faster than powertrain warranties.

What is a Powertrain warranty?

Don't be misled a 10-year or 100,000-mile powertrain warranty doesn't promise a decade of free repairs for your car. It typically covers just the engine and transmission, along with any other moving parts that lead to the wheels, like the driveshaft and constant velocity joints. Some automakers also bundle seat belts and airbags into their powertrain warranties. With a few exceptions, powertrain warranties don't cover regular maintenance like engine tuneups and tire rotations.

What is included in Roadside Assistance?

Some automakers include roadside assistance with their bumper-to-bumper or powertrain warranties, while others have separate policies. These programs cover anything from flat-tire changes and locksmith services to jump-starts and towing. Few reimburse incidental costs like motel rooms (if you have to wait for repairs).

What other services could be included in a warranty?

Some automakers include free scheduled maintenance for items such as oil changes, air filters and tire rotations. Some include consumables including brake pads and windshield wipers; others do not. They are typically for the first couple of years of ownership of a new car.

What does CPO mean?

A certified pre-owned or CPO car has been inspected to meet minimum quality standards and typically includes some type of warranty. While dealers and third parties certify cars, the gold standard is an automaker-certified vehicle that provides a factory-backed warranty, often extending the original coverage. Vehicles must be in excellent condition and have low miles and wear to be certified, which is why off-lease vehicles feed many CPO programs.

See also the latest CPO incentives by automaker