Chevrolet Cavalier Wagon MPG by year — every rating on record
The Chevrolet Cavalier Wagon has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 11 model years, from 1984 to 1994. Across those years its best rated version returned 26 mpg (1985) and its thirstiest returned 18 mpg (1985). The EPA record holds 47 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Small Station Wagons.
Year-by-year EPA ratings
| Model year | Configurations | Best combined | Worst combined | Class rank that year | Drivetrains | Fuel | EPA class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | 6 | 25 mpg | 22 mpg | #10 of 18 (47th pct) | n/a | Regular | Small Station Wagons |
| 1985 | 10 | 26 mpg | 18 mpg | #8 of 18 (59th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons |
| 1986 | 5 | 25 mpg | 19 mpg | #9 of 18 (53th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons |
| 1987 | 5 | 25 mpg | 20 mpg | #11 of 20 (47th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons |
| 1988 | 4 | 26 mpg | 20 mpg | #13 of 25 (50th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons |
| 1989 | 4 | 26 mpg | 20 mpg | #11 of 19 (44th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons |
| 1990 | 4 | 26 mpg | 20 mpg | #7 of 16 (60th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons |
| 1991 | 3 | 24 mpg | 20 mpg | #5 of 13 (67th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons |
| 1992 | 2 | 24 mpg | 21 mpg | #4 of 12 (73th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons |
| 1993 | 2 | 23 mpg | 21 mpg | #7 of 13 (50th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons |
| 1994 | 2 | 24 mpg | 20 mpg | #5 of 13 (67th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons |
Where it has stood in its class
Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The Chevrolet Cavalier Wagon placed highest in 1992 at #4 of 12, and lowest in 1988 at #13 of 25. It spent 8 of its 11 ranked years in the top half of its class.
Every configuration on record
All 47 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.
| Year | Configuration | Engine detail | City | Highway | Combined | Gallons/yr | Barrels/yr | EPA fuel cost/yr | CO2 g/mi | GHG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 3.1L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) (MPFI) | 18 | 26 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,100 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 1994 | 2.2L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) (MPFI) | 22 | 28 | 24 | 479.2 | 12.4 | $2,600 | 370.2916666666667 | n/a |
| 1993 | 3.1L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) | 18 | 26 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $2,950 | 423.1904761904762 | n/a |
| 1993 | 2.2L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) | 21 | 28 | 23 | 500.0 | 12.9 | $2,700 | 386.39130434782606 | n/a |
| 1992 | 3.1L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) | 18 | 26 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $2,950 | 423.1904761904762 | n/a |
| 1992 | 2.2L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) | 21 | 29 | 24 | 479.2 | 12.4 | $2,600 | 370.2916666666667 | n/a |
| 1991 | 3.1L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) | 18 | 25 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,100 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 1991 | 2.2L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) | 21 | 28 | 24 | 479.2 | 12.4 | $2,600 | 370.2916666666667 | n/a |
| 1991 | 2.2L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | (FFS) | 21 | 30 | 24 | 479.2 | 12.4 | $2,600 | 370.2916666666667 | n/a |
| 1990 | 3.1L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) | 18 | 25 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,100 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 1990 | 3.1L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | (FFS) | 17 | 26 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,100 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 1990 | 2.2L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) | 21 | 29 | 24 | 479.2 | 12.4 | $2,600 | 370.2916666666667 | n/a |
| 1990 | 2.2L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | (FFS) | 22 | 33 | 26 | 442.3 | 11.4 | $2,400 | 341.8076923076923 | n/a |
| 1989 | 2.8L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) | 18 | 25 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,100 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 1989 | 2.8L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | (FFS) | 16 | 26 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,100 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 1989 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) | 22 | 29 | 25 | 460.0 | 11.9 | $2,500 | 355.48 | n/a |
| 1989 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | (FFS) | 23 | 33 | 26 | 442.3 | 11.4 | $2,400 | 341.8076923076923 | n/a |
| 1988 | 2.8L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) | 18 | 25 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,100 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 1988 | 2.8L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | (FFS) | 18 | 27 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $2,950 | 423.1904761904762 | n/a |
| 1988 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (121) (FFS) | 22 | 29 | 25 | 460.0 | 11.9 | $2,500 | 355.48 | n/a |
| 1988 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | (121) (FFS) | 22 | 33 | 26 | 442.3 | 11.4 | $2,400 | 341.8076923076923 | n/a |
| 1987 | 2.8L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | N (FFS) | 18 | 24 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,100 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 1987 | 2.8L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | (FFS) | 17 | 25 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,100 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 1987 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) | 21 | 29 | 24 | 479.2 | 12.4 | $2,600 | 370.2916666666667 | n/a |
| 1987 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 4-spd Regular | (FFS) | 22 | 30 | 25 | 460.0 | 11.9 | $2,500 | 355.48 | n/a |
| 1987 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | (FFS) | 22 | 31 | 25 | 460.0 | 11.9 | $2,500 | 355.48 | n/a |
| 1986 | 2.8L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) | 16 | 23 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $3,300 | 467.7368421052632 | n/a |
| 1986 | 2.8L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 4-spd Regular | (FFS) | 17 | 24 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $3,300 | 467.7368421052632 | n/a |
| 1986 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) | 20 | 26 | 22 | 522.7 | 13.5 | $2,850 | 403.95454545454544 | n/a |
| 1986 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | (FFS) | 21 | 29 | 24 | 479.2 | 12.4 | $2,600 | 370.2916666666667 | n/a |
| 1986 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 4-spd Regular | (FFS) | 22 | 29 | 25 | 460.0 | 11.9 | $2,500 | 355.48 | n/a |
| 1985 | 2.8L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 4-spd Regular | (FFS) CA model | 15 | 22 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $3,450 | 493.72222222222223 | n/a |
| 1985 | 2.8L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 4-spd Regular | (FFS) | 16 | 22 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $3,450 | 493.72222222222223 | n/a |
| 1985 | 2.8L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) CA model | 17 | 23 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $3,300 | 467.7368421052632 | n/a |
| 1985 | 2.8L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) | 17 | 24 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $3,300 | 467.7368421052632 | n/a |
| 1985 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) CA model | 19 | 26 | 22 | 522.7 | 13.5 | $2,850 | 403.95454545454544 | n/a |
| 1985 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | (FFS) CA model | 21 | 29 | 24 | 479.2 | 12.4 | $2,600 | 370.2916666666667 | n/a |
| 1985 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) | 22 | 27 | 24 | 479.2 | 12.4 | $2,600 | 370.2916666666667 | n/a |
| 1985 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | (FFS) | 21 | 30 | 24 | 479.2 | 12.4 | $2,600 | 370.2916666666667 | n/a |
| 1985 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 4-spd Regular | (FFS) CA model | 22 | 29 | 25 | 460.0 | 11.9 | $2,500 | 355.48 | n/a |
| 1985 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 4-spd Regular | (FFS) | 23 | 32 | 26 | 442.3 | 11.4 | $2,400 | 341.8076923076923 | n/a |
| 1984 | 2.0L 4-cyl Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) CA model | 19 | 26 | 22 | 522.7 | 13.5 | $2,850 | 403.95454545454544 | n/a |
| 1984 | 2.0L 4-cyl Manual 4-spd Regular | (FFS) CA model | 21 | 30 | 24 | 479.2 | 12.4 | $2,600 | 370.2916666666667 | n/a |
| 1984 | 2.0L 4-cyl Automatic 3-spd Regular | (FFS) | 22 | 29 | 25 | 460.0 | 11.9 | $2,500 | 355.48 | n/a |
| 1984 | 2.0L 4-cyl Manual 4-spd Regular | (FFS) | 22 | 29 | 25 | 460.0 | 11.9 | $2,500 | 355.48 | n/a |
| 1984 | 2.0L 4-cyl Manual 5-spd Regular | (FFS) | 21 | 31 | 25 | 460.0 | 11.9 | $2,500 | 355.48 | n/a |
| 1984 | 2.0L 4-cyl Manual 5-spd Regular | (FFS) CA model | 21 | 31 | 25 | 460.0 | 11.9 | $2,500 | 355.48 | n/a |
How the rating has moved between model years
Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 3 of 6 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.
| Change | Best combined | Delta | Gallons a year at the newer rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 → 1985 | 25 → 26 mpg | +1 mpg | 442 gal |
| 1985 → 1986 | 26 → 25 mpg | -1 mpg | 460 gal |
| 1987 → 1988 | 25 → 26 mpg | +1 mpg | 442 gal |
| 1990 → 1991 | 26 → 24 mpg | -2 mpg | 479 gal |
| 1992 → 1993 | 24 → 23 mpg | -1 mpg | 500 gal |
| 1993 → 1994 | 23 → 24 mpg | +1 mpg | 479 gal |
What Cavalier Wagon fuel costs over a year
At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 1994 Chevrolet Cavalier Wagon burns 479 to 575 gallons depending on configuration. Below is what that costs at three pump prices, and how much more the thirstiest configuration costs than the most efficient one.
| Pump price | Most efficient | Thirstiest | Spread |
|---|---|---|---|
| $3.00/gal | $1,438 | $1,725 | $288 |
| $3.50/gal | $1,677 | $2,013 | $335 |
| $4.00/gal | $1,917 | $2,300 | $383 |
EPA’s own estimate for the 1994 model year is $2,600 to $3,100 a year in fuel, or $1,750 more than the average new vehicle over five years.
How it compares with other Small Station Wagons
Across the 142 nameplates EPA classifies as Small Station Wagons, the median best combined rating is 27 mpg. At 24 mpg the Chevrolet Cavalier Wagon is 3 mpg below the median, which is worth about $186 a year at $3.50 a gallon.
- All Small Station Wagons rankings — every nameplate in the class, best to worst.
Other Chevrolet nameplates
Every Chevrolet model compared → — all nameplates ranked by best combined rating, with what each one costs a year.