Chevrolet Cavalier 0–60 Times
The Chevrolet Cavalier 0–60 times and quarter-mile times below are from 6 verified production tests sourced from reputable automotive resources such as Car and Driver, Motor Trend and MotorWeek and more. A further 2 modified or prototype runs are listed by year but kept out of every record and average, per our methodology.
The fastest tested production Chevrolet Cavalier is the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier LS Sport Coupe, which went from 0 to 60 mph in 7.90 seconds, reaching the ¼ mile in 16.10 seconds at 81.0 mph, according to MotorWeek.
The slowest tested production Chevrolet Cavalier is the 1982 Chevrolet Cavalier CL Type 10 3-ddor Hatchback Coupe, which took 15.40 seconds to reach 60 mph, running the ¼ mile in 20.10 seconds at 67.6 mph, according to Motor Trend.
Across the 6 verified production tests of the Chevrolet Cavalier, the average 0–60 mph time is 10.53 seconds. The average quarter-mile time is 17.52 seconds at 78.38 mph.
Separately, 2 modified or prototype runs are on record for the Chevrolet Cavalier, led by the 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier Z24 TECHNIC Coupe (Prototype) at 6.70 seconds. These are not stock configurations and are excluded from the figures above.
Fastest 0–60 7.90sec 2003 LS Sport Coupe · stock
Average 0–60 10.53sec Across 6 production runs
Fastest Modified 6.70sec 1998 Z24 TECHNIC Coupe (Prototype) · modified
Avg ¼ Mile 17.52sec @ 78.4 mph trap
Slowest 0–60 15.40sec 1982 CL Type
Across 6 verified production runs, the Chevrolet Cavalier ranges from 7.90 to 15.40 seconds 0–60, with a 10.53-second average. 2 modified or prototype runs are recorded separately and excluded from this range.
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Chevrolet Cavalier Performance Overview
Chevrolet’s Cavalier performance record spans 1982 to 2003 in this dataset, covering 8 verified tests (7 production, 1 modified) across seven model years. Early First Generation cars from 1982–1987 were defined by modest naturally aspirated gasoline output, with the LQ5-era range at 86–88 hp. That shows in the numbers: the 1982 CL Type 10 3-ddor Hatchback Coupe needed 15.4 seconds to reach 60 mph, while the 1983 CS Sedan lowered the mark to 13.1 seconds.
The Second Generation, 1988–1994, brought a clear step forward as output rose to 140 hp with the LH0 V6. In the available testing, the 1990 Z24 Coupe cut 0-60 to 8.4 seconds, reshaping the Cavalier’s mid-era pace. Third Generation cars, here represented from 1995 to 2003, continued with naturally aspirated gasoline engines ranging from 120 to 150 hp across LN2, LD9, and L61 applications. A 1996 LS Sedan reached 60 mph in 8.3 seconds, before the 1997 ZR-24 MOAB Coupe set the line’s quickest figures at 7.3 seconds to 60 and 15.5 seconds in the quarter-mile. In its final years covered here, the Cavalier stood as a compact with a broad spread of real-world performance, but no hybrid or electric variants in period testing.
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Chevrolet Cavalier 0–60 Times by Generation: First Generation to Third Generation
3 generations| Generation | Years | Avg 0–60 | Fastest 0–60 | Production Tests | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Third Generation | 1995–2005 | 8.77s | 7.90s — 2003 LS Sport Coupe | 3 | The Third Generation generation (1995–2005) averaged 8.77 seconds to 60 mph across 3 production tests, led by the 2003 LS Sport Coupe at 7.90 seconds. Output ranged from 120 to 150 hp across 2.2L I-4, 2.4L I-4, 2.4L Supercharger I-4 configurations. A further 2 results from 2 modified vehicles are recorded but excluded from the average. |
| Second Generation | 1988–1994 | 8.40s | 8.40s — 1990 Z24 Coupe | 1 | The Second Generation generation (1988–1994) averaged 8.40 seconds to 60 mph across 1 production tests, led by the 1990 Z24 Coupe at 8.40 seconds. Output was 140 hp across 3.1L V6 configurations. |
| First Generation | 1982–1987 | 14.25s | 13.10s — 1983 CS Sedan | 2 | The First Generation generation (1982–1987) averaged 14.25 seconds to 60 mph across 2 production tests, led by the 1983 CS Sedan at 13.10 seconds. Output ranged from 86 to 88 hp across 1.8L I-4, 2.0L I-4 configurations. |
Third Generation 1995–2005
Avg 0–60 8.77s
Fastest 7.90s
Tests 3
2003 LS Sport Coupe
The Third Generation generation (1995–2005) averaged 8.77 seconds to 60 mph across 3 production tests, led by the 2003 LS Sport Coupe at 7.90 seconds. Output ranged from 120 to 150 hp across 2.2L I-4, 2.4L I-4, 2.4L Supercharger I-4 configurations. A further 2 results from 2 modified vehicles are recorded but excluded from the average.
Second Generation 1988–1994
Avg 0–60 8.40s
Fastest 8.40s
Tests 1
1990 Z24 Coupe
The Second Generation generation (1988–1994) averaged 8.40 seconds to 60 mph across 1 production tests, led by the 1990 Z24 Coupe at 8.40 seconds. Output was 140 hp across 3.1L V6 configurations.
First Generation 1982–1987
Avg 0–60 14.25s
Fastest 13.10s
Tests 2
1983 CS Sedan
The First Generation generation (1982–1987) averaged 14.25 seconds to 60 mph across 2 production tests, led by the 1983 CS Sedan at 13.10 seconds. Output ranged from 86 to 88 hp across 1.8L I-4, 2.0L I-4 configurations.
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Chevrolet Cavalier 0–60 Times by Year and Trim
6 production tests + 2 modified · 8 years ▾
2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
1 production run Avg 0–60 7.90 sec
Avg ¼ Mile 16.10 sec
Production Tests 1
#01
2003 Chevrolet Cavalier LS Sport Coupe
7.90sec 0–60
16.10s ¼ mi @ 81.0 mph
▾
- 0–60 mph
- 7.90 sec
- ¼ Mile ET
- 16.10 sec
- Trap Speed
- 81.0 mph
- Engine
- 2.2L I-4
- Drivetrain
- FWD
- Transmission
- 5M
- Horsepower
- 140 hp
- Torque
- 150 lb-ft
- Curb Weight
- 2,700 lbs
- Power-to-Weight
- 19.3 lbs/hp
- MPG EPA
- 22 C / 30 H
- Production Vehicle
- Body Type
- Coupe
- Powertrain
- Gasoline
- Test Source
- MotorWeek
- Overall Rank
- #1 of 6 production runs
How we verify Chevrolet Cavalier performance data
Records and averages on this page cover verified production runs only; modified and prototype results are listed by year but never folded into them. We include only independently published road-test results from automotive publications. Manufacturer-claimed 0–60 times are excluded unless clearly labeled. When multiple publications test the same Chevrolet Cavalier trim, each run is listed separately — weather, tires, surface, rollout, and instrumentation all affect results.
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Chevrolet Cavalier 0–60 and quarter-mile distribution
0–60 vs ¼ mile · lower-left is fasterEach dot is a verified production test run
0–60 → ¼ mile →
Fastest Recorded run Slowest
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Chevrolet Cavalier performance FAQs
10 questions The 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier LS Sport Coupe does 0-60 mph in 7.9 seconds. Its quarter-mile time is 16.1 seconds at 81 mph. That test car used the 140-hp L61 engine with 150 lb-ft, front-wheel drive, and a curb weight of 2,700 pounds.
The quickest Chevrolet Cavalier on record is the 1998 Z24 TECHNIC Coupe (Prototype) at 6.7 seconds from 0-60 mph. That car is not a stock production example, though. It is listed as heavily modified, which matters if you are specifically comparing factory Cavaliers.
The fastest stock Chevrolet Cavalier on record is the 2003 LS Sport Coupe, which reached 60 mph in 7.9 seconds. If you want the quickest factory, street-spec result rather than a modified build, that is the benchmark among verified production Cavalier tests.
Third Generation Chevrolet Cavaliers, covering 1995 to 2005, average 8.4 seconds from 0-60 mph across 4 tests. The quickest example is the 1997 ZR-24 MOAB Coupe at 7.3 seconds. Output across this generation ranges from 120 to 150 hp, all with naturally aspirated gasoline powertrains.
The Second Generation Chevrolet Cavalier, sold from 1988 to 1994, records 8.4 seconds from 0-60 mph in our verified runs. The fastest and only tested example is the 1990 Z24 Coupe at 8.4 seconds. That generation’s recorded output is 140 hp from a naturally aspirated gasoline setup.
First Generation Chevrolet Cavaliers from 1982 to 1987 average 14.25 seconds from 0-60 mph across 2 tests. The fastest one is the 1983 CS Sedan at 13.1 seconds, while power ranges from 86 to 88 hp. All recorded examples use naturally aspirated gasoline engines.
The LS Sport Coupe is quicker. The LS Sport Coupe records 7.9 seconds from 0-60 mph, while LS Sedan tests average 9.2 seconds, with a best run of 8.3 seconds. That gives the coupe a clear edge in straight-line acceleration over the more commonly tested LS Sedan.
The LS Sport Coupe is quicker in verified stock-form testing. The 2003 LS Sport Coupe runs 0-60 mph in 7.9 seconds, while the 1990 Z24 Coupe reaches 60 mph in 8.4 seconds. If you include modified Cavaliers, the 1998 Z24 TECHNIC Coupe prototype is quicker still at 6.7 seconds.
Across all 8 Chevrolet Cavalier tests, the average 0-60 time is 9.65 seconds. Looking only at production vehicles, the average is 10.07 seconds across 7 tests. The all-tests figure is lower because it includes one heavily modified example that ran significantly quicker than the stock cars.
Across all 8 Chevrolet Cavalier tests, the average quarter-mile time is 16.95 seconds at 81.6 mph. The quickest quarter-mile run on record is 15.0 seconds at 95.6 mph by the heavily modified 1998 Z24 TECHNIC Coupe prototype. The 2003 LS Sport Coupe runs the quarter mile in 16.1 seconds at 81 mph.
Sources
Car and Driver
Motor Trend
MotorWeek
Road & Track
0–60 and quarter-mile times vary with driver, weather, tire temperature, and wear. We collect every verified run we can find — so you see the range of what a Chevrolet Cavalier can do, not a single marketing claim.
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Other Chevrolet 0–60 times
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