The Chevrolet Cavalier does 23.9 mpg combined (20.7 city, 29.8 highway), which works out to about $1,607 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 2L 4-cyl does 25.8 mpg while 2.8L 6-cyl does 20 — a difference of $432 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.4 mpg.
Every Chevrolet Cavalier engine, compared
Picking the right version of the same car often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2L 4-cyl | 22.7 / 31.8 | 1984–1989 | $1,488 | |
| 2.2L 4-cyl | 21.8 / 31.9 | 1990–2005 | $1,506 | |
| 3.1L 6-cyl | 18 / 25.6 | 1990–1994 | $1,882 | |
| 2.8L 6-cyl | 17.8 / 24.4 | 1985–1989 | $1,920 |
What that actually costs
Miles per gallon is an abstraction; the fuel bill is not. Here it is in money, at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.134 |
| Fuel per year | $1,607 |
| Fuel over five years | $8,035 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | +$95 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,538 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The gap between city and highway figures tells you whom the car suits. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 20.7 mpg | $1,855 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 29.8 mpg | $1,289 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +9.1 mpg (44%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Cavalier changed over the years
Combined figure by model year. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 23 / 33 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2004 | 23 / 33 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 2003 | 21 / 30 | 1 | $1,536 | |
| 2002 | 22 / 30 | 1 | $1,536 | |
| 2001 | 21 / 29 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 2000 | 21 / 31 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 1999 | 21 / 31 | 1 | $1,536 | |
| 1998 | 21 / 31 | 1 | $1,536 | |
| 1997 | 22 / 33 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 1996 | 22 / 33 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 1995 | 22 / 33 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 1994 | 20 / 29.5 | 2 | $1,670 | |
| 1993 | 20 / 29.5 | 2 | $1,634 | |
| 1992 | 20 / 29.5 | 2 | $1,634 | |
| 1991 | 19.5 / 28.5 | 2 | $1,707 | |
| 1990 | 20 / 29 | 2 | $1,670 | |
| 1989 | 20.5 / 29 | 2 | $1,670 | |
| 1988 | 20 / 30 | 2 | $1,634 | |
| 1987 | 20 / 27 | 2 | $1,707 | |
| 1986 | 20 / 26 | 2 | $1,745 | |
| 1985 | 20.5 / 28 | 2 | $1,670 | |
| 1984 | 23 / 33 | 1 | $1,422 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
Fuel-economy figures come from EPA fueleconomy.gov — the same laboratory numbers printed on the window sticker. We don't adjust them; real-world consumption depends on how and where you drive.
What we add is money. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon — change either and the ranking stays, only the size of the bill moves. Cost per mile is the same figure divided out, useful when comparing a commute against a weekend car.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Chevrolet Cavalier get?
23.9 mpg combined on average — 20.7 in the city and 29.8 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1984–2005.
How much does a Chevrolet Cavalier cost in fuel per year?
About $1,607 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $8,035 over five years, or 0.134 dollars a mile.
Which Cavalier engine is the most economical?
The 2L 4-cyl at 25.8 mpg, against 20 for the 2.8L 6-cyl — a difference of about $432 a year.
Is the Cavalier good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.4 mpg, computed across 6877 ratings.
Are these real-world figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones on the window sticker. Real consumption depends on driving style, terrain, load and weather, and is typically a little worse.