2004 Chevy Cavalier Review

Name: 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier Review
Brand: Chevrolet
Price: 1674 USD
Rating: 4.5 (234 reviews)

(234)

2003 Chevrolet Cavalier LS Sport 2dr Coupe

+37

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Chevrolet Cavalier model years

Chevrolet Cavalier for Sale

Chevrolet Cavalier types

Coupe
Sedan

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Edmunds' Expert Review

by the Edmunds Experts

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

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.

Edmunds 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.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier Special Value 2dr Coupe (2.2L 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 $3.11 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$141/mo

$168/mo

Avg. Compact Car

Calculate my fuel costs

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier.

5 (68%)

4 (21%)

3 (9%)

2 (2%)

1 (0%)

4.5

234 reviews

Write a vehicle review See all 234 reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

It's doing its job.

evanz, 09/28/2012

2004 Chevrolet Cavalier 4dr Sedan (2.2L 4cyl 5M)

This is my second car. I bought it, after weeks of searching for something else in my price range. I don't really like Chevy, but i got it in great shape, and condition. I bought it with 80,000 miles, and it now has about 105,000. I've driven it across states without hesitating. The only thing I've had to replace was the fuel pump at about 100. Everything else works fine, and even looks …

Great car!

hannam, 10/15/2012

2004 Chevrolet Cavalier LS 2dr Coupe (2.2L 4cyl 5M)

I drove this car for almost a year before someone ran a red light and totaled it. Looks great for the price, easy to drive and great for a first car! I bought it with 90k and drove it to 100k. I did have a few issues with it. The backseat was really difficult to access. If you buy with the original radio, be aware that installing a new radio could put you in the $200-300 range as the …

Would be good

Jon Smith, 09/23/2010

2004 Chevrolet Cavalier LS 2dr Coupe (2.2L 4cyl 5M)

Would be good but the car just keeps having problems, IAT, HUBS go out, Slave cylinders go out multiple times and then contaminate the clutch but That problem starts with the master cylinder which is usually repaired wrong at dealers for cost cutting-they replace the slave not the master cylinder. almost cost my life in an accident! Trans went out, Radio went out twice the replaced one …

A great engine surrounded by an average car

happychihuahua, 10/01/2012

2004 Chevrolet Cavalier 4dr Sedan (2.2L 4cyl 5M)

The EcoTec 2.2 is a marvelous engine, its powerful, quiet and as reliable as an anvil, a testament to its foreign design. The rest of the car however is General Motors, what can you say. The steel on the car is paper thin, so even a slight bump will distort the quarter panels and your plastic bumper will never fit properly again. The interior is typical GM, with the bizarre toilet seat …

See all 234 reviews of the Chevrolet Cavalier

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2004 Cavalier Highlights

Type:

Coupe

Trim:

Special Value

Base MSRP	$10,135
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	27 MPG
Cost to Drive	$141/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	13.2 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
OverallNot Rated
Driver4 / 5
Passenger4 / 5
Side Crash Rating
OverallNot Rated
Side Barrier Rating
OverallNot Rated
Driver1 / 5
Passenger2 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front SeatNot Rated
Back SeatNot Rated
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of RolloverNot Rated

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Not Tested
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Not Tested
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Poor
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Not Tested
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Poor

2004 Chevy Cavalier Review

Edmunds' Expert Review

Pros

Cons

What’s new

Edmunds says

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier Special Value 2dr Coupe (2.2L 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 $3.11 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier.

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Most helpful consumer reviews

It's doing its job.

Great car!

Would be good

A great engine surrounded by an average car

2004 Cavalier Highlights

Safety

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2004 Chevy Cavalier Review

Edmunds' Expert Review

Pros

Cons

What’s new

Edmunds says

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier Special Value 2dr Coupe (2.2L 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 $3.11 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.

Most helpful consumer reviews

It's doing its job.

Great car!

Would be good

A great engine surrounded by an average car

2004 Cavalier Highlights

Safety

Related Used 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier info

Vehicle reviews of used models

Shop used vehicles in your area

Popular new car reviews and ratings

Research recent models from same make

Research similar vehicles

Other models

Join Edmunds

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier Special Value 2dr Coupe (2.2L 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 $3.11 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.}