2004 Chevrolet Cavalier Review
Summary
What Edmunds.com says
Despite the new look, there's no hiding the fact that this car was engineered more than a decade ago, leaving it hopelessly outclassed by nearly every other car on the market.
Pros
Low price, torquey four-cylinder engine, optional satellite radio and OnStar.
Cons
Ancient design inside and out, cheap interior materials, poor build quality, low resale value, poor side-impact and front-offset crash test results.
What's New for 2004
Not much. An upgraded stereo with a CD and MP3 player is now available on the base coupe and sedan. The Sport Appearance package that includes 16-inch wheels, a rear spoiler and sport suspension is also available on the base coupe and sedan.
Consumer Ratings & Reviews
Bought in 2005
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 7 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Chevrolet Cavalier 4dr Sedan (2.2L 4cyl 5M)
Review
Bought this car for my daughter in late 2005. She went on to something else in 2006 so I've driven this car since then. No problems. This is a bottom end car for Chevrolet and I expected more issues. I see others that are beat to death but still run so I expect mine to run for a long time. This car will put a 6 cylinder older Mustang down without breaking a sweat and still get 25-26 mpg!
Favorite Features
Mileage! Everything is in easy reach with simple controls. Lots of trunk room with the fold down rear seats.
Suggested Improvements
Seats are not comfortable for trips but then maybe it wasn't really intended for that?
No Frills Ride
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 7 | Fun-to-Drive: | 6 | Build Quality: | 6 |
| Comfort: | 4 | Interior Design: | 5 | Reliability: | 6 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 4 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Chevrolet Cavalier 4dr Sedan (2.2L 4cyl 5M)
Review
Nothing really surprising about it. The EcoTec engine is much more powerful than the clunker they used to put in Cavaliers. The sheetmetal is paper thin and dents easily. I damaged my quarter panel and was able to repair it by removing it, stomping on it a few times with my sneakers and putting it back on. The metal is that thin! It has been pretty reliable so far without problems, but I'm nowhere near the 100K mile mark yet. Interior and road noise is higher than in the late 90's versions. Ride is choppier too due to the tighter suspension and the 14" wheels. Styling is nothing exceptional but it looks better than it used to. Ugly toilet flusher style interior door handles, ugh.
Favorite Features
EcoTec engine, suspension is rather sporty for a 4 door. Plenty of room for a subcompact, Everything seems to work as advertised. Dash cluster is good, visibility is good.
Suggested Improvements
Fit and finish needs work. Trim parts don't fit well. Rear seat dropdown uses a bizarre trunk only pull loop system. Sheetmetal is weak, easy to dent. My rear bumper had crazed/cracked paint on it. Lots of road noise. The only noisier car I've ever experienced is a 96 Kia Sephia in comparison.
Reliable, comfortable and great mpg
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Chevrolet Cavalier 4dr Sedan (2.2L 4cyl 5M)
Review
I have had my car a little over 4 years and have 116000 miles on it. I only recently had to replace the fan assembly, otherwise only the regular brakes, tires, battery, etc. This has been a very reliable car with great gas mileage. I average about 28-32 mpg but have gotten as much as 38 on long road trips. This is my second Chevy product and I will buy Chevy again, both cars have been wonderful. I would like something bigger but this one is hard to give up.
Favorite Features
Suggested Improvements
Amazing Car
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Chevrolet Cavalier 2dr Coupe (2.2L 4cyl 5M)
Review
This car has made amazing mileage. On a trip across SD got 35 miles to the gallon and in normal traffic around 30 miles per gallon. It runs well and the air conditioning is excellent it keeps the entire car cool.
Favorite Features
This car has an amazing sound system and can clearly play anything in it, and the interior could not be better it is soft but durable
Suggested Improvements
None
Good for the price
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 7 | Fun-to-Drive: | 6 | Build Quality: | 7 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 7 |
| Fuel Economy: | 6 | Exterior Design: | 7 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Chevrolet Cavalier LS Sport 2dr Coupe (2.2L 4cyl 5M)
Review
I bought my car in Nov of 2006, about to trade it in for something different. The suspension is really bad (every bump or hole in the road makes my car sound like it's dying, when any other car I've been in will go over the same ones very smoothly). I wouldn't recommend it for anyone with babies (small back seat), it's not very safe (car would crumble in an accident), the front bumper is removable, it kind of "clips" on, the turn signal lights and tag light have been replaced many times, gas mileage is not that great! There is no way it's 30MPG. I'd say more like 20. It's not a bad car, overall I enjoyed having it.
Favorite Features
Mine was very sporty looking (black w/ silver racing stripes), spoiler, sunroof, its pretty small and easy to drive!
Suggested Improvements
They don't make these anymore so what's the point. This car was just your average car, nothing special, nothing bad. Just simple and affordable.
1 out 1 people found this review helpful
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