2002
Chevrolet Prizm

Starts at:
$14,330
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New 2002 Chevrolet Prizm
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NHTSA tested vehicle score
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Available trims

See the differences side-by-side to compare trims.
  • 4dr Sdn
    Starts at
    $14,330
    29 City / 33 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas L4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr Sdn LSi
    Starts at
    $16,395
    29 City / 33 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas L4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs

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2002 Chevrolet Prizm 2002 Chevrolet Prizm 2002 Chevrolet Prizm 2002 Chevrolet Prizm 2002 Chevrolet Prizm 2002 Chevrolet Prizm 2002 Chevrolet Prizm 2002 Chevrolet Prizm 2002 Chevrolet Prizm 2002 Chevrolet Prizm 2002 Chevrolet Prizm 2002 Chevrolet Prizm

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Expert 2002 Chevrolet Prizm review

our expert's take
Our expert's take
By Cars.com editors
Full article
our expert's take

Vehicle Overview
A near-twin of the Toyota Corolla, Chevrolet’s subcompact front-drive four-door sedan will fade away after the 2002 model year, when Toyota switches to a new Corolla generation. Both models are built at a California plant that General Motors shares with Toyota, and only minor styling and equipment differences separate the two sedans.

Chevrolet’s Prizm has never been as popular as the Corolla. Sales rose during 2000, to 52,116 units, while Toyota moved more than 230,000 Corollas in the same 12-month period.

Exterior
Only a four-door sedan body style is offered; it rides a 97.1-inch wheelbase and measures 174.2 inches long overall. That’s a hair shorter than the Honda Civic sedan and 7 inches shorter than the Chevrolet Cavalier. Options include 14-inch alloy wheels and an electric-sliding sunroof.

Interior
Seating five passengers, the Prizm comes in base and more costly LSi price levels. Air conditioning is standard on both models. The LSi has several additional standard features, including power windows and locks, cruise control, a rear-window defogger, tachometer and tilt steering column. Only the LSi comes with a 60/40-split rear seat. A CD stereo is optional. The Prizm’s trunk capacity is 12.1 cubic feet, with the rear seat in place.

Under the Hood
All Prizms share the same 125-horsepower, 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine used in the Corolla. A five-speed-manual transmission is standard, and three- or four-speed-automatic transmissions are optional. Antilock brakes and side-impact airbags for the front seats are optional.

Driving Impressions
In just about every respect, Prizm buyers get the same quality, reliability and smooth, refined performance as those who opt for the Corolla. What they don’t get is the Toyota badge. Because the Prizm has been less popular, new or used, it has a lower resale value than the Corolla.

 

Reported by Jim Flammang  for cars.com;
From the cars.com 2002 Buying Guide;
Posted on 4/15/02

2002 Chevrolet Prizm review: Our expert's take

Vehicle Overview
A near-twin of the Toyota Corolla, Chevrolet’s subcompact front-drive four-door sedan will fade away after the 2002 model year, when Toyota switches to a new Corolla generation. Both models are built at a California plant that General Motors shares with Toyota, and only minor styling and equipment differences separate the two sedans.

Chevrolet’s Prizm has never been as popular as the Corolla. Sales rose during 2000, to 52,116 units, while Toyota moved more than 230,000 Corollas in the same 12-month period.

Exterior
Only a four-door sedan body style is offered; it rides a 97.1-inch wheelbase and measures 174.2 inches long overall. That’s a hair shorter than the Honda Civic sedan and 7 inches shorter than the Chevrolet Cavalier. Options include 14-inch alloy wheels and an electric-sliding sunroof.

Interior
Seating five passengers, the Prizm comes in base and more costly LSi price levels. Air conditioning is standard on both models. The LSi has several additional standard features, including power windows and locks, cruise control, a rear-window defogger, tachometer and tilt steering column. Only the LSi comes with a 60/40-split rear seat. A CD stereo is optional. The Prizm’s trunk capacity is 12.1 cubic feet, with the rear seat in place.

Under the Hood
All Prizms share the same 125-horsepower, 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine used in the Corolla. A five-speed-manual transmission is standard, and three- or four-speed-automatic transmissions are optional. Antilock brakes and side-impact airbags for the front seats are optional.

Driving Impressions
In just about every respect, Prizm buyers get the same quality, reliability and smooth, refined performance as those who opt for the Corolla. What they don’t get is the Toyota badge. Because the Prizm has been less popular, new or used, it has a lower resale value than the Corolla.

 

Reported by Jim Flammang  for cars.com;
From the cars.com 2002 Buying Guide;
Posted on 4/15/02

Safety review

Based on the 2002 Chevrolet Prizm base trim
NHTSA crash test and rollover ratings, scored out of 5.
Frontal driver
4/5
Frontal passenger
4/5
Nhtsa rollover rating
4/5
Side driver
3/5
Side rear passenger
3/5

Factory warranties

New car program benefits

Basic
3 years / 36,000 miles
Corrosion
6 years / 100,000 miles
Powertrain
3 years / 36,000 miles
Roadside Assistance
3 years / 36,000 miles

Certified Pre-Owned program benefits

Age / mileage
5 model years or newer / up to 75,000 miles
Basic
12 months / 12,000 miles bumper-to-bumper original warranty, then may continue to 6 years / 100,000 miles limited (depending on variables)
Dealer certification
172-point inspection
See all CPO program details

Consumer reviews

90% of drivers recommend this car
4.4 / 5
Based on 10 reviews
Write a review
Comfort 4.0
Interior 3.8
Performance 4.1
Value 4.5
Exterior 4.0
Reliability 4.3

Most recent

  • By i work for a major corporation as a material handler. from newton, mass.
    Used to own this car
    April 8, 2022

    i knew when i bought the prism, it was a gm built

    i bought a 2002 prism, from my mechanic, with 17,000 miles and drove it 187,000 miles, only got rid of it because mass. sales tax was going up and i turned it in for a brand new 2009 honda fit, which i drove 251,000 miles.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 3.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 3.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 3.0
    Reliability 4.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Tina N.C Steelers Fan from Fayetteville N.C
    Owns this car
    September 23, 2020

    The most reliable car I've owned and wants to own.

    This car is great , everything from top to bottom , front and back inside and out on top and underneath the hood is just great love it buy you one real fast then you will see what I'm talking about ok ,
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Tina N.C Steelers Fan from Fayetteville N.C
    Owns this car
    September 23, 2020

    I still own my 02 Prizm love it.

    My 02 prizm is a great reliable car, its good on gas , i brought it at 62, 000 miles and did a oil change it's at 64,000 now and oil is still good in it , great tires , everything under the hood is great and in great working conditions . The only thing is no electric windows or locks you have to do it yourself , other then that perfect car yes old but you can't tell it run better than some of these 2017's and 18's and 20's cars , I just love it get one real soon if you can find one.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Squeakers from EAST CHICAGO,IN
    Owns this car
    March 18, 2019

    Moves smoothly on the road.

    Very good on Gas. $20 a week!. I drive 36 miles to work per day. That totals 180 miles a week !. Very reasonable too!.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 3.0
    Reliability 4.0
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  • By nikki
    Owns this car
    March 18, 2017

    2002 Chevy Prizm

    I bought it used with over 130,000 miles with only minor problems and the repairs are really affordable.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 4.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Happy Prism Owner from Michigan
    Owns this car
    March 5, 2010

    '01 Chevy Prism

    I bought my Prism used with 17,000 on it for roughly $8,500. It now has 228,000 miles on it, is paid for, and I hope to baby it over 300,000 miles. It has been the best car I have ever owned. The only problems I have had with the car relate to normal wear and tear, mostly brakes. That and I do have to replace the driver's side door handle. But, if these are the biggest problems I've had, I'd say the car has done pretty well. I think with any car, routine maintenance is really important. I change the oil regularly, use 5W30 and have not had to change to synthetic. I don't plan to. With gas prices going up as they are, my husband and I are actually looking for another Prism right now. Great car, would recommend it to anyone.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Raider Nation from Simi Valley
    Owns this car
    November 7, 2008

    A Toyota Corolla in Bowtie clothing

    I bought a 1999 Prizm because Consumer Reports magazine said that this IS a Toyota Corolla. GM (and remember GEO?) bought thousands of these cars from Toyota and re-badged them. Better yet, you can buy this car cheaper than a same year Toyota Corolla. Even the Haines Repair Manual for my Prizm says Toyota Corolla.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 3.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 3.0
    Reliability 5.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By beagle boy from Ithaca, NY
    Owns this car
    January 9, 2008

    Carry extra quarts!

    This car is using about a quart of oil a week. No signs of leaks. No noticeable blue smoke. This seems to be problematic to '01 and 02 Prizms
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 2.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 3.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 1.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Car Driver from Phila., Pa
    Owns this car
    November 19, 2007

    Extremely reliable car

    This car is definitely comparable to the Toyota Corolla. I cannot tell the difference by looking at them. I also owned a Toyota and this Prizm handles just the same as the Toyota. It is a very peppy little car. I like it a lot!
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Collegeguy1979 from Nacogdoches, TX
    Owns this car
    April 10, 2007

    Great Gas MPG, Toyota Reliability!!

    how could you not go wrong buying this car, the only draw back to buying the Prism vs. the Corolla, is the little bit of resale value you lose when buying a chevrolet. I have a '02 Lsi with 142,000 miles on it, still going strong, hope to put over 300,000 on it, just to prove the friends wrong. I use Mobil One 5w30 fully synthetic motor oil, great stuff! As a college student, this car is great to pass them gas stations up. I would highly recommend a prism/corrolla to anyone I know. Back seat is a little cramped when piling tall friends in the car.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
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FAQ

What trim levels are available for the 2002 Chevrolet Prizm?

The 2002 Chevrolet Prizm is available in 2 trim levels:

  • (1 style)
  • LSi (1 style)

What is the MPG of the 2002 Chevrolet Prizm?

The 2002 Chevrolet Prizm offers up to 29 MPG in city driving and 33 MPG on the highway. These figures are based on EPA mileage ratings and are for comparison purposes only. The actual mileage will vary depending on vehicle options, trim level, driving conditions, driving habits, vehicle maintenance, and other factors.

Is the 2002 Chevrolet Prizm reliable?

The 2002 Chevrolet Prizm has an average reliability rating of 4.3 out of 5 according to cars.com consumers. Find real-world reliability insights within consumer reviews from 2002 Chevrolet Prizm owners.

Is the 2002 Chevrolet Prizm a good Sedan?

Below are the cars.com consumers ratings for the 2002 Chevrolet Prizm. 90.0% of drivers recommend this vehicle.

4.4 / 5
Based on 10 reviews
  • Comfort: 4.0
  • Interior: 3.8
  • Performance: 4.1
  • Value: 4.5
  • Exterior: 4.0
  • Reliability: 4.3
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