The current Chevrolet Cavalier is 180.3″ long, 67.3″ wide, on a 103.9″ wheelbase, weighing 2,571 lb. Since 1982 it has grown 4% in length and gained 0% in weight. At 15 feet it fits a standard garage and fits a street parking space.
Every Chevrolet Cavalier generation, measured
One row per generation. Watch the weight column — that is where most of the change happens, and it is the number that decides fuel use, tyre wear and how far the car takes to stop.
| Generation | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982–1987 | 172.8″ | 66.1″ | 52.4″ | 101.2″ | — |
| 1988–1991 | 178.3″ | 66.1″ | 52″ | 101.2″ | 2,388 lb |
| 1992–1994 | 182.3″ | 66.1″ | 52.8″ | 101.2″ | 2,443 lb |
| 1995–2005 | 180.3″ | 67.3″ | 53.9″ | 103.9″ | 2,571 lb |
From 1982 to today the Cavalier gained 7.5″ of length (4%) and 0 lb of weight (0%). A modern compact often outweighs the mid-size car of a generation before.
Cavalier year by year
Measured every model year, not just at generation changes — 24 years on record. Small moves inside a generation are facelifts; the jumps are new platforms.
| Model year | Length | Width | Wheelbase | Curb weight | Body styles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 182.7″ | 68.1″ | 103.9″ | 4 | |
| 2004 | 182.7″ | 68.1″ | 103.9″ | 4 | |
| 2003 | 182.7″ | 68.1″ | 103.9″ | 4 | |
| 2002 | 182.7″ | 68.1″ | 103.9″ | 4 | |
| 2001 | 181.1″ | 68.5″ | 103.9″ | 2 | |
| 2000 | 180.7″ | 68.5″ | 103.9″ | 3 | |
| 1999 | 180.7″ | 68.5″ | 103.9″ | 3 | |
| 1998 | 180.7″ | 68.1″ | 103.9″ | 3 | |
| 1997 | 180.3″ | 68.5″ | 103.9″ | 3 | |
| 1996 | 180.3″ | 68.5″ | 103.9″ | 3 | |
| 1995 | 180.3″ | 67.3″ | 103.9″ | 3 | |
| 1994 | 181.9″ | 66.1″ | 101.2″ | 4 | |
| 1993 | 181.9″ | 66.1″ | 101.2″ | 4 | |
| 1992 | 181.9″ | 66.1″ | 101.2″ | 4 | |
| 1991 | 178.7″ | 66.1″ | 101.2″ | 3 | |
| 1990 | 178.3″ | 66.1″ | 101.2″ | 3 | |
| 1989 | 178.7″ | 66.1″ | 101.2″ | 5 | |
| 1988 | 178.3″ | 65.7″ | 101.2″ | 5 | |
| 1987 | 173.2″ | 66.1″ | 101.2″ | 13 | |
| 1986 | 173.6″ | 66.1″ | 101.2″ | 7 | |
| 1985 | 173.6″ | 66.1″ | 101.2″ | 7 | |
| 1984 | 173.2″ | 66.1″ | 101.2″ | 5 | |
| 1983 | 173.2″ | 66.1″ | 101.2″ | 5 | |
| 1982 | 172.4″ | 66.1″ | 101.2″ | 4 |
Will a Cavalier fit
The practical question behind every dimensions search. A single-car garage in the US is typically 20 feet deep; a street parking space is about 18. We allow a foot of clearance in both — nobody parks to the millimetre.
| Space | Typical size | This car | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single garage | 20 ft deep | 15 ft | Fits, with room to open the door |
| Street parking space | 18 ft | 15 ft | Fits comfortably |
| Standard parking bay width | 8.5 ft wide | 5.6 ft | Room to open doors both sides |
Against cars of the same length
Compared with 961 vehicles within ten inches of the same length — a fair proxy for «cars of this size», regardless of what the marketing calls them.
| Measure | This car | Typical car of this length | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Width | 67.3″ | 71.3″ | -4.0″ |
| Wheelbase | 103.9″ | 105.5″ | -1.6″ |
| Curb weight | 2,571 lb | 3,437 lb | -866 lb |
A longer wheelbase for the same overall length means shorter overhangs — usually more cabin space and a steadier ride. Lighter than typical for its size generally means better fuel economy and shorter stopping distances.
Specs vary by trim. Yours decodes from the VIN.
- Exact build, engine and factory options for one VIN
- The original window sticker as it left the factory
- What that specific configuration is worth today
- Decode a whole list of VINs at once
- No ads, on every page
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
How we measure
Dimensions come from NHTSA vPIC and Transport Canada vehicle records — manufacturer-declared figures, held in metric and converted to inches and pounds for display.
One row per generation, not per model year: manufacturers rarely change the body between facelifts, and a table of forty near-identical rows helps nobody. Where a generation offered several body styles, the figures are the base measurements for that generation.
Frequently asked questions
How long is a Chevrolet Cavalier?
180.3″ (15′ 0″) in its current generation, 67.3″ wide and 53.9″ tall.
How much does a Chevrolet Cavalier weigh?
2,571 lb at the kerb.
Will a Cavalier fit in a garage?
At 15 feet it fits a standard 20-foot single garage with room to spare. A street parking space of 18 feet is comfortable.
Has the Cavalier got bigger over the years?
Yes — 7.5″ longer and 0 lb heavier since 1982, across 4 generations. Weight grew 0%, far faster than length.