The Morning Call and Mcall.com's view

Certain cars are exotic, like a Porsche — cars that have so muchcapability, you’d swear they’re like superheroes in sheet metal.

Other cars are so ubiquitous, they’re more like Clark Kent (and we’re nottalking about the muscle-bound Clark of the current TV series, we’re talkingflabby ol’ George Reeves’ Clark here).

It’s easy to see that the Cavalier can be classified in the lattercategory.

That is, until you drive it. Then you might see some superhero beneath thepaint.

But let’s not get carried away — this is a Cavalier. The redesign,revealed to the world last year, gave this car contemporary, blobby looks, atleast in the four-door iteration.

With two doors, it more closely resembles the Opel Calibra, but this ismore of a distant-cousin resemblance than anything else. Besides the coupe andsedan, a convertible is also available.

The car is available several ways — mild-mannered reporter base sedan orcoupe, which can be upgraded to RS (Rally Sport) or LS trim levels, or thebend-steel-in-his-bare-hands Z24. The test car was the latter.

Whether you end up living with Clark Kent or his more powerful alter egodepends on which engine you specify.

The base engine is last year’s familiar 2.2-liter in-line four-cylinderproducing 120 horsepower and 130 foot-pounds of torque. Optional on the LS andstandard on the Z24 is GM’s 2.4-liter double overhead cam four-cylinderproducing 150 horsepower and 155 foot-pounds of torque.

The base engine is adequate for the job, but the slightly larger enginemakes this car leap tall buildings in a single bound. There is a bit of noisewhen revved, but no more than competitors.

A five-speed manual is standard on all Cavaliers. A three-speed automaticis available on the base cars; RS, LS and Z24’s get a four-speed automaticoption. It’s worth it to spring for the larger engine if you’re considering anautomatic.

The handling is decent and maneuvering at high speed is easy, although notreally sporty. This car is blessed with a generic, spongy GM feel to itscomponents. This is despite having higher rated front and rear springs,specific struts and shocks and a larger rear stabilizer bar.

Front disc/rear drum brakes with standard anti-lock stopped this carquicker than Kryptonite stops Superman, proving more responsive and less softthan the similar Pontiac Sunfire did a few months ago.

What’s so amazing about the latest Cavalier is how much better it seemsthan just a few years ago. The interior has a simple curved dash that has amodern look. Three simple twist knobs control the climate. An AM/FM-CD playerwith two knobs controls the tunes. The switches for the windows are located onthe center console. Power door locks are located on the doors.

The test vehicle came equipped with a power moon roof. Be sure to try itbefore you buy –it steals a bit of headroom. The front bucket seats werecomfy for an entry-level car. The back seat is better left for parcels. The13.2-cubic-foot trunk swallowed all that was required of it. With its handycargo net, the small 180-inch long length and good power, this was a great carto go shopping with.

Just take it easy with options. The Z24 is the top trim level and, withjust about every option you could want, the sticker approached 18k. While notunheard of for an entry-level car in today’s market, a little restraint cancut that back.

Every superhero has a vulnerability. This car’s was rattles. There was areally annoying high-pitched plastic rattle that even engine noise and Nirvanacould not drown out. But otherwise this powerful, nice-looking auto deliveredeverything that was asked of it with speed, good gas mileage and a modicum ofgood looks.

That might not be a superhero in your eyes, but you could like the way thestory plays out.

Cavalier Z-24Standard: 2.4-liter double overhead cam four-cylinder engine, five-speedmanual transmission, dual air bags , front disc/rear drum brakes withanti-lock, traction control, child security door locks, rack-and-pinion powersteering, air conditioning, AM/FM stereo with cassette, tachometer and tripodometer, dual reading lamps, tilt steering wheel, remote trunk release, floormats, visor mirrors, body-color front and rear fascias, fog lamps, rear decklid spoiler, P205/55R16 radials, 16-inch cast aluminum wheels.Optional: Electric sunroof, rear window defogger, four-speed automatictransmission, CD player, Preferred Equipment Group 2 (cruise control,intermittent wipers, twin remote power mirrors, power windows with driver’sside express down, remote keyless entry, power door locks).Base price: $14,465As tested: $17,730EPA rating: ??? city, ??? highway