2002 Chevy Prizm Review
2002 Chevy Prizm Review
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Used Prizm for sale
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Reliability, zippy powertrain when equipped with a manual transmission, optional side airbags.
Cons
- Ho-hum personality, ABS not standard, cramped rear seat, options force prices too high to remain a bargain.
What’s new
The Prizm remains unchanged for 2002.
Edmunds says
It's got Japanese technology and build quality because, well ... it's a Japanese car with an American nameplate. Certainly a creative way to get patriotic types behind the wheel of a Toyota.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2002 Chevrolet Prizm 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.36 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$133/mo for Prizm Base
Prizm Base
vs
$174/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Vehicle overview
In short, the Prizm is one solid economy sedan. It's a capable performer and it doesn't waste time with trying to look like something it's not. Better yet, it is essentially a reskinned Toyota Corolla, which bodes well for reliability, but not necessarily resale value. To top things off, the Prizm has earned very high marks in past initial-quality studies, scoring better than the Infiniti G20 and Honda Accord.
An excellent reliability record coupled with outstanding assembly quality goes a long way toward selling consumers on the Prizm. The car feels substantial, conveying the impression that it will last quite a long time. In contrast, the Cavalier feels somewhat cheap, flimsy and unrefined, while the solid Malibu doesn't appeal to buyers looking for a smaller package.
Base-model Prizms get air conditioning, a four-speaker stereo, floor mats and wheel covers, while upgraded LSi models get standard power windows, a rear defogger, tachometer, outside temperature gauge, tilt steering column and larger tires.
A 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine is standard on all Prizms, which benefits from variable valve timing technology (VVTi) developed by Toyota. The VVTi system helps boost engine output to 125 horsepower and improves overall drivability. The low-effort clutch is a bonus in traffic, and the five-speed manual snicks fluidly from gear to gear. Front and rear stabilizer bars are standard to improve handling response from the four-wheel independent suspension. Antilock brakes and side airbags are optional on this economy sedan.
Interior accommodations are rather sparse in base Prizms, but LSi models come with upgraded fittings and trim. Either model offers decent ergonomics; all the switches and controls fall readily to hand, and the gauges are clear and legible. The seats are rock-hard and lack lumbar and lateral support, but they do feature Scotchguard stain protection to keep them clean.
The Prizm is strictly econo-issue in base trim, but add aluminum wheels and a premium equipment package to an LSi, and the Prizm transforms itself into a mini-Camry. Also available are a CD player and extended-range speakers that sound great, making a fully loaded Prizm a fine package. However, a Prizm LSi with every available option closes quickly on $20,000. For that kind of cash, you can buy any number of larger and more substantial sedans. Keep a lid on the options, though, and the Prizm is an economy sedan anybody could live with.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2002 Chevrolet Prizm.
5 star(52%)
4 star(34%)
3 star(4%)
2 star(8%)
1 star(2%)
52 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4 out of 5 stars
Prismazing!
Charles Miska, 10/29/2015
2002 Chevrolet Prizm 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
We bought our Prism as a first car for our 16 year old son. He wanted a manual transmission and learned to drive a stick after we bought the Prism. Our car had 70,000 miles on it when we bought it and I got a terrific price for it. This little car has been sensational! Shifts crisply through all the gears, has exceptional zip for the little engine, brakes well and while it's a base … model, all the controls and amenities work perfectly. We have not experienced the oil usage issue many other reviewers have, which is interesting, given that we live on a steep mountainside and the car is a manual transmission driven by a teenager. You'd think our unit would be susceptible to the oil problem, but no, it runs better than either of the cars we bought for our other kids.
3.63 out of 5 stars
Good Car Until it Burns Oil Like Crazy
greatambitions, 11/29/2011
2002 Chevrolet Prizm 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
Let me start by saying this car has been reliable for most of its life. I bought it at 77,000 miles, and its still running at 191,000+. It is by no means a flashy vehicle, but when the engine ran at peak efficiency, it got close to 40 MPG and ran smoothly.
But, at about the 130,000 mark, it started burning oil (1 quart every 1,000 miles or so). 60,000 miles later, it burns through about … 1 quart every 50 miles. Further research via Google has shown that this is a common problem for the 2002 Prizms, and is related to narrow cylinders and bad seals. Keep this in mind if buying a Prizm from this final year of production. You'll be investing in lots of oil when it reaches a high mileage point.
2.25 out of 5 stars
'02 Prizm
AngelaJane, 05/09/2006
2002 Chevrolet Prizm 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
I have not had a very good experience with this car. I bought it as a certified used vehicle with a little over 36,000 miles. The transmission went out a couple months after I bought it. Several minor interior things have come apart. The filler pipe on the gas tank came unwelded and fell partially into the tube, so I was not able to fuel the car until that was removed. This week the … running lights and auto- on headlights quit working, but could still be turned on manually,a few days later, they stayed on, requiring disconnecting the battery to turn off. The switch failed and it's located under the pas. air bag requiring the entire dash to be removed. I would not buy another or reccomend!
5 out of 5 stars
PrizmGurl again
PrizmGurl, 10/04/2017
2002 Chevrolet Prizm LSi 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
I reviewed the '93 Prizm, but since we have an '02, here I am. We had 2 '02's (both dark blue green metallic) but the stick one was totaled when my dad hit a snowbank after hitting another car with it. It had about 70,000 miles on it and the only non-maintenance mechanical repair it needed was a wiring problem and valves in the evaporation system. We got the stick after the '93 Prizm was … taken off the road. The '02's were 3 years old and the stick had just shy of 10,000 miles when we got it in April '05. Our automatic '02 has almost 129,000 miles and according to a local garage, needs a catalytic converter. Previously, all it's had done is maintenance and some evaporation system repair, like vent valve, in terms of mechanical work. It's a little rusty, too. Due to a deer hit and what looked like a previous deer hit (the dents looked the same), both front fender have been replaced. The hood's been replaced, due to ice falling off a truck onto the car. When it was parked one time, someone bumped it and it needed a new light. Even today, if it had an inspection sticker, we'd trust it on a long drive. Some of the miles on the car are mine, as it's the first car I ever drove. This car became my mom's once we had the stick, since she can't drive a stick. We've had almost exactly 16 years, as we got it in late October '01. My mom loves the car and wants a Corolla next. The resemblance between my mom's car and a blue Corolla the same design as '93-'02 Prizms is striking. I have to look at the front, door handles (to see if they're colored) and rear. The front has the symbol, some Corollas have colored door handles and the rear tells the make, model and what the taillights look like. Corollas have red and white in the taillights and Chevy Prizms have red and orange. Geo Prizms have all red taillights, but I haven't seen a Geo Prizm in my area in a few years. Just an occasional Chevy Prizm or Prizm-like Corolla. Today (6-20-18), with a little over 136,000 miles on the odometer, our automatic '02 Chevy Prizm was swapped for a 2016 Corolla. Best Feature Hard to pick one. Maybe reliability, if I absolutely had to. Worst Feature Why did GM and Toyota break up their joint venture so they can't make Prizms anymore? Best little car we've ever had. All of ours, except the stick (didn't get high enough mileage), developed the oil using issue.
2002 Prizm Highlights
Base
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $14,330 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 31 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $133/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 12.1 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the Prizm include:
- Alarm
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver3 / 5Passenger3 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalAcceptable
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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