2002 Chevrolet Prizm

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2002 Chevrolet Prizm
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Overview
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Key Specs

of the 2002 Chevrolet Prizm. Base trim shown.

  • Body Type:
    Sedan See similar vehicles
  • Combined MPG:
    36 Combined MPG
  • Engine:
    125-hp, 1.8-liter I-4 (regular gas)
  • Drivetrain:
    Front-wheel Drive
  • Transmission:
    5-speed manual w/OD
  • View more specs

2002 Chevrolet Prizm Overview

By Cars.com Editors
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 opt...
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

View 17 Photos

Latest 2002 Prizm Stories

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Consumer Reviews

4.3
6 reviews
Exterior Styling
(4.0)
Performance
(4.0)
Interior Design
(3.7)
Comfort
(3.8)
Reliability
(4.2)
Value For The Money
(4.5)

What Drivers Are Saying

(5.0)

2002 Chevy Prizm

by nikki on March 18, 2017

I bought it used with over 130,000 miles with only minor problems and the repairs are really affordable. Read full review

(5.0)

'01 Chevy Prism

by Happy Prism Owner from Michigan on March 5, 2010

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 ... Read full review

Safety & Recalls

Recalls

The 2002 Chevrolet Prizm currently has 1 recall

Crash and Rollover Test Ratings

The 2002 Chevrolet Prizm 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 Prizm 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