Used 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier
Pros & Cons
- Low price, torquey four-cylinder engine, optional satellite radio and OnStar.
- Ancient design inside and out, cheap interior materials, poor build quality, low resale value, poor side-impact and front-offset crash test results, ABS no longer standard.
Edmunds' Expert Review
Despite various revisions, there's no hiding the fact that the 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier was engineered more than a decade ago, leaving it hopelessly outclassed by nearly every other car on the market.
2005 Highlights
Scorecard
| Overall | undefined / 5 |
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Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier.
Trending topics in reviews
- value
- fuel efficiency
- interior
- appearance
- comfort
- reliability & manufacturing quality
- engine
- driving experience
- sound system
- transmission
- ride quality
- spaciousness
- oil
- acceleration
- safety
- electrical system
- maintenance & parts
- seats
- road noise
- doors
- lights
- dashboard
- brakes
- visibility
- wheels & tires
- warranty
- cup holders
- emission system
- steering wheel
- infotainment system
- climate control
- handling & steering
- technology
Most helpful consumer reviews
I am a car ASE mechanic of over 20 years. This is a good family car.The best Chevy sedan I have seen in years. Good reliability, good quality. I dont care what JD Power says, it's the best sedan yet.
I would like to warn owners of a problem with the hydraulic clutch in the 2005 Chevy Cavalier. The line from master cylinder to slave cylinder may be rubbing on the farm and is wearing through and one day you will step on the pedal and it will go right to the floor and stick there, leaving the engine engaged to the transmission. I talked with General Motors and they more or less just laughed at me. Too bad they say you are off warranty.. only in time not mileage (63, 000 KM). Hopefully no inexperienced driver has this happen to them or there could well be a serious accident even leading to death. GM doesn't want to hear about it.
i couldnt have asked for a better first car, the cavelier gets a crappy rap but its really a decent, reliable car. mine has just gotten over the 100,000 mile mark and it hasent given me any problems. just like any car if you treat it right and take good care of it youll get the maximum preformance. so all you people who talk down on the cavelier, maybe its not the car at all maybe its just the way you run it..
Again I bought a Chevy. And I'm glad. This seems to be a good little car. Just got it 3 weeks ago for about $7800. It only had 41,600 miles on it. Runs like a champ except a rattle at startup which seems to be just until oil reaches the top of the motor, about 1-2 seconds. It has plenty of power. 140 horses to be exact. Has good cold air, good radio and CD, cruise, auto trans, and nice interior. I know it's outdated but it was such a popular car so they did not need to redesign fast. My first Cavalier and so far I'm happy.
Features & Specs
| 4dr Sedan 2.2L 4cyl 5M | |
|---|---|
| MPG | 23 city / 33 hwy |
| Seats 5 | |
| 5-speed manual | |
| Gas | |
| 140 hp @ 5600 rpm |
| LS 4dr Sedan 2.2L 4cyl 5M | |
|---|---|
| MPG | 23 city / 33 hwy |
| Seats 5 | |
| 5-speed manual | |
| Gas | |
| 140 hp @ 5600 rpm |
| LS Sport 4dr Sedan 2.2L 4cyl 5M | |
|---|---|
| MPG | 23 city / 33 hwy |
| Seats 5 | |
| 5-speed manual | |
| Gas | |
| 140 hp @ 5600 rpm |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
| Frontal Barrier Crash Rating | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | Not Rated |
| Driver | 4 / 5 |
| Passenger | 4 / 5 |
| Side Crash Rating | Rating |
| Overall | Not Rated |
| Side Barrier Rating | Rating |
| Overall | Not Rated |
| Driver | 1 / 5 |
| Passenger | 2 / 5 |
| Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings | Rating |
| Front Seat | Not Rated |
| Back Seat | Not Rated |
| Rollover | Rating |
| Rollover | 4 / 5 |
| Dynamic Test Result | No Tip |
| Risk Of Rollover | Not Rated |
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
| Side Impact Test | Not Tested |
|---|---|
| Roof Strength Test | Not Tested |
| Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint | Poor |
| IIHS Small Overlap Front Test | Not Tested |
| Moderate Overlap Front Test | Poor |
FAQ
Is the Chevrolet Cavalier a good car?
Is the Chevrolet Cavalier reliable?
Is the 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier a good car?
How much should I pay for a 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier?
The least-expensive 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier is the 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier 4dr Sedan (2.2L 4cyl 5M). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $14,610.
Other versions include:
- 4dr Sedan (2.2L 4cyl 5M) which starts at $14,610
- LS 4dr Sedan (2.2L 4cyl 5M) which starts at $16,290
- LS Sport 4dr Sedan (2.2L 4cyl 5M) which starts at $17,710
What are the different models of Chevrolet Cavalier?
More about the 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier
Used 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier Overview
The Used 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier is offered in the following submodels: Cavalier Sedan, Cavalier Coupe. Available styles include 4dr Sedan (2.2L 4cyl 5M), 2dr Coupe (2.2L 4cyl 5M), LS 4dr Sedan (2.2L 4cyl 5M), LS Sport 2dr Coupe (2.2L 4cyl 5M), Special Value 2dr Coupe (2.2L 4cyl 5M), LS 2dr Coupe (2.2L 4cyl 5M), and LS Sport 4dr Sedan (2.2L 4cyl 5M).
What do people think of the 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier?
Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier and all its trim types. Overall, Edmunds users rate the 2005 Cavalier 4.3 on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database. Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior, exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 2005 Cavalier.
Edmunds Expert Reviews
Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2005 Cavalier featuring deep dives into trim levels and features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.
Our Review Process
This review was written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.
We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.
What's a good price for a New 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier?
Which 2005 Chevrolet Cavaliers are available in my area?
Shop Edmunds' car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million vehicles to find a cheap new, used, or certified pre-owned (CPO) 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier for sale near. Simply research the type of car you're interested in and then select a car from our massive database to find cheap vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the AutoCheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier.
Can't find a new 2005 Chevrolet Cavaliers you want in your area? Consider a broader search.
Find a new Chevrolet Cavalier for sale - 9 great deals out of 10 listings starting at $10,056.
Find a new Chevrolet for sale - 6 great deals out of 21 listings starting at $17,849.
Why trust Edmunds?
Edmunds has deep data on over 6 million new, used, and certified pre-owned vehicles, including rich, trim-level features and specs information like: MSRP, average price paid, warranty information (basic, drivetrain, and maintenance), features (upholstery, bluetooth, navigation, heated seating, cooled seating, cruise control, parking assistance, keyless ignition, satellite radio, folding rears seats ,run flat tires, wheel type, tire size, wheel tire, sunroof, etc.), vehicle specifications (engine cylinder count, drivetrain, engine power, engine torque, engine displacement, transmission), fuel economy (city, highway, combined, fuel capacity, range), vehicle dimensions (length, width, seating capacity, cargo space), car safety, true cost to own. Edmunds also provides tools to allow shopper to compare vehicles to similar models of their choosing by warranty, interior features, exterior features, specifications, fuel economy, vehicle dimensions, consumer rating, edmunds rating, and color.
Should I lease or buy a 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier?
Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most people and they'll probably tell you that car buying is the way to go. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to make higher monthly payments, pay off the loan in full and keep the car for a few years. Leasing, on the other hand, can be a less expensive option on a month-to-month basis. It's also good if you're someone who likes to drive a new car every three years or so.
Check out Chevrolet lease specials