The Chevy Cavalier nameplate was introduced to the U.S. for the 1982 model year and saw three generations before being replaced by the Chevy Cobalt. The Cavalier was discontinued in both the U.S. and Mexico in 2005, but the name returned to Mexico in 2017, returning as a successor to the Chevy Cruze. Now, 20 years after it was discontinued in the States, the Chevy Cavalier has been discontinued in Mexico, having disappeared from the brand’s Mexican consumer site.
The Mexican-market Chevy Cavalier was a badge-engineered version of the Chevy Monza produced by the SAIC-GM joint venture in China. It was exported from Wuhan to Mexico, where it was the only market that used the Cavalier name. The Monza/Cavalier is underpinned by the GM-PATAC K platform, which is a derivative of the D2XX platform that used to serve as the basis for the Chevy Cruze.
The discontinuation of the Chevy Cavalier leaves the Aveo and Onix as the only passenger car options in the Chevy lineup in Mexico (unless you count the Corvette). Among the three small cars in the lineup, the Cavalier was at the top in terms of size and price, slotted above the modern and tech-focused Onix and the entry-level Aveo. Price-wise, the Cavalier went into crossover territory, with the Tracker, Groove, and Captiva having lower base prices.
The most recent generation of the Chevy Cavalier came out in Mexico for the 2022 model year as the Cavalier Turbo. The “Turbo” in question was a turbocharged 1.3L I4 engine rated at 161 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque. With attractive subcompact options priced below the Cavalier and a growing lineup of crossovers, the Cavalier Turbo’s sales dwindled as low as just seven units in May of 2025.
The Chevy Cavalier Turbo likely won’t be directly replaced in the Mexican market as sales of the Aveo remain strong and continue to grow for the Captiva. Another factor making it hard for the Cavalier to compete is the surge of affordable Chinese cars in Mexico, led by brands like MG Motor, Chirey, and BYD.
With Mexico being the last market where the Chevy Cavalier was marketed, this might be the permanent end of the 43-year-old nameplate.
Comments
Oh no!
Anyway…
1997 Cavalier was my first new car. I loved that little POS
Cavalier was better quality then any EV today.
We drive our 2001 Cavalier every day. Replaced the water pump at about 100,000 miles, now at about 200,000 with no other problems. A nice little car.
I had a ‘91 Cavalier RS wagon. It was smooth, comfortable and downright luxurious. A nice ride. GM saves, with exception of the Corvette, sells all the interesting and good stuff in foreign markets. We get all the Kia Sportages. Name one Buick you pine for?
It’s too bad that GM doesn’t sell this in the U.S. and Canada- this is a nice-looking car.
It would be a great AFFORDABLE car that is desperately needed.
My wife still has her 1989 Cavalier Z24. Won’t give it up. 165,000.