Chevrolet Cavalier MPG by year — every rating on record

The Chevrolet Cavalier has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 22 model years, from 1984 to 2005. Across those years its best rated version returned 27 mpg (1984) and its thirstiest returned 18 mpg (1985). The EPA record holds 101 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Compact Cars.

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Where it has stood in its class

Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The Chevrolet Cavalier placed highest in 1990 at #7 of 46, and lowest in 1991 at #25 of 73. It spent 22 of its 22 ranked years in the top half of its class.

Every configuration on record

All 101 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.

How the rating has moved between model years

Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 4 of 10 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.

What Cavalier fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier burns 442 to 460 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.

EPA’s own estimate for the 2005 model year is $2,400 to $2,500 a year in fuel, or $1,250 more than the average new vehicle over five years.

How it compares with other Compact Cars

Across the 498 nameplates EPA classifies as Compact Cars, the median best combined rating is 26 mpg. At 26 mpg the Chevrolet Cavalier is exactly at the median.

• All Compact Cars 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.