2001 Chevrolet Prizm Review
Fuel Economy
31 mpg
Summary
What Edmunds.com says
A cleanly styled, well-built economy sedan from Chevrolet, just don't go crazy with the options sheet.
Pros
Reliability, zippy powertrain when equipped with a manual transmission, optional side airbags.
Cons
Ho-hum personality, ABS not standard, options force prices too high to remain a bargain.
What's New for 2001
The Prizm remains relatively unchanged for 2001. An emergency trunk release becomes standard issue and Medium Red Metallic is added to the color palette.
Consumer Ratings & Reviews
Mom's Car
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2001 Chevrolet Prizm 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
Review
I bought my Prizm in 2002 with 33,000 on it. Engine light came on once while under warranty. Regular maintenance. Other than some new tires and a couple of brake jobs, no great expense (knock on wood). I drive 22 round trip to work and have driven to DC and back to MA twice a year for past four years. Handles great on the highway and off. Great car.
Favorite Features
Trunk big enough to haul a college student's stuff. Comfortable. Love map lights on rearview mirror.
Suggested Improvements
Need more leg room in back seat.
weak econobox
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 5 | Fun-to-Drive: | 4 | Build Quality: | 7 |
| Comfort: | 4 | Interior Design: | 4 | Reliability: | 4 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 4 | ||
Vehicle
2001 Chevrolet Prizm 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
Review
Base model with a few options. Looking for Totota reliability, but used car dealer can't seem to fix horn/cruise control issue (they don't work, and need a new relay). Low seating. Checked oil after 1 month, 3.5 quarts low! Yikes, that doesn't leave much. After filling oil, a month later it needs 1.5 quarts. Another reviewer noted his mother ran her Prizm 3 times with no oil; maybe because it burns. Someone else said it burns oil at highway speed. Could be. I don't see any drips in the garage. 3- speed auto stinks on the highway, car really doesn't like going over 60. Engine is making lifter noises. If engine holds up, this will be good around-town econobox for my HS kid.
Favorite Features
Small, good gas mileage.
Suggested Improvements
3-speed auto is bad idea.
Prizm Cuts Through Clutter
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 7 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 7 | ||
Vehicle
2001 Chevrolet Prizm LSi 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
Review
This is a wonderful automobile because I get 42 mpg highway and a little city combined. The seats are a little uncomfortable, but my car has 113000 miles on it and it drives like a brand new car. Would deff recommend to a friend! I guess you could say i'm one of "the 9/10 ppl who would recommend Prizm to a friend". Prizm definitely "cuts through the clutter". In the mid 1990s I was "getting to know Geo" through the Geo Storm. Well, the Geo, or excuse me Chevrolet Prizm has my vote as one of the top cars of 2001. I hope I never smash my car. I am obsessed with Prizm. Prizm is good. I will buy a first generation Prizm (92 and older) second generation (93-97) Prizm also with my 01 Prizm
Favorite Features
Prizm drives like a much larger car yet it gets 42 mpg mostly highway!
Suggested Improvements
I love the gas mileage and the drive train capabilities of the ancient Prizm and the Egyptian color of Metallic Cashmere Taupe!
Very good car
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2001 Chevrolet Prizm 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
Review
I have had this car for 9 years and it is a very reliable commuter car. Does what I need it to do and does it when I need it to do it. Good car. Excellent reliability.
Favorite Features
Reliability.
Suggested Improvements
A very good little car
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 7 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 6 | ||
Vehicle
2001 Chevrolet Prizm 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
Review
I bought this for $3000 over the summer to replace a Cavalier. Mileage is great, performance is pretty good considering it only has 125 hp. Put some decent tires on it and cornering is really fun. Stereo is not too shabby either. Only drawbacks that I have encountered are fading paint, the interior plastic around the door frame is peeling (that most have come from the GM part of the joint project), and no center armrest. Besides that you can't beat it. Like everyone else has already said, it's just a Toyota with a Chevy emblem on it. A very easy way to save $2000 vs a Corolla, and even more on gas. This thing is bulletproof with proper maintenance. The perfect city car!
Favorite Features
Stereo with standard CD player sounds good. Turns on a dime. Toyota drive train. Great gas mileage.
Suggested Improvements
Some of the interior plastic is very cheap. Door handles seem to fall apart (cheap plastic loses its integrity when exposed to prolonged heat exposure). No center armrest. A 60/40 fold down seat would have been a nice standard feature.
View Pricing for Other Years
- 2002 Chevrolet Prizm
- 2001 Chevrolet Prizm
- 2000 Chevrolet Prizm
- 1999 Chevrolet Prizm
- 1998 Chevrolet Prizm
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