Driving Impressions

This car's sporty look is matched by a genuinely sporty feel, at least when you compare the new Cavalier with the old one. Acceleration is respectable, running under 9 seconds in the 0-to-60 mph test. that's all the more surprising when you consider this is the familiar GM 4-cylinder engine that's been under the Cavalier hood for quite some time. The optional 3-speed automatic transmission is adequate, and Neon has chosen the same powertrain combination. Still, you'd be hard-pressed to find an Asian import falling back on a 3-speed package. Handling is competent and predictable. GM engineers are quick to point out that the new cavalier's body has been markedly stiffened. That added rigidity means less body flexing, particularly when you're bouncing along a pothole-filled highway. It not only translates into crisper steering but a quieter ride. Yes, you'll find the new Cavalier a notably more quiet car. Wind noise has been sharply reduced due the steeper rake of the windshield and a better job by the factory of sealing the pillars. Road noise is still a problem, especially when compared with cars such as the Toyota Corolla. Under full acceleration, the engine sounds like a hive of angry bees, though it's more tolerable under normal driving conditions. Braking is one of cavalier's weak points. The brakes require far more pressure than one might feel comfortable applying, at least in an emergency. They also have a tendency to fade if you use them repeatedly.

Final Word

One is tempted to damn the Chevrolet Cavalier with faint praise. it's a generally attractive package, but words such as adequate and functional come to mind for the rest of the car. It really deserves better than that, but so do Cavalier buyers. The 1995 is a major improvement over the vehicle it replaces and that's likely to bring many longtime Cavalier customers back to their local Chevrolet dealer. Still, one is left with the feeling that Chevy set its sights lower than its competitors. The car doesn't quite come up to world-class standards. Maybe Chevy engineers know their market a little too well: The Cavalier has the feel of a car designed for the rental fleets. We wouldn't discourage you from buying the new Cavalier. But we do suggest you check out the competition before you sign on the dotted line.