1999 Chevy Cavalier Base Walkaround & Interior

The Cavalier Rally Sport looks sporty compared to the Honda Civic Coupe, Ford Escort and Dodge Neon. It lacks in power compared to the Escort ZX2 or the Neon R/T Coupe, but that's answered by the more muscular Cavalier Z24 Coupe. A 2.4-liter Twin Cam engine comes on Z24 Coupes and Z24 Convertibles and is an option on LS Sedans.

The Rally Sport's visual appeal lies in not looking like a two-door sedan. This coupe succeeds in a relatively long and sleek presentation for a compact without resorting to a wedge style. The wedge effect is avoided by front fenders with some nice curves, slender doors when measured from the rocker panels to the windowsill, and the long arch of the C-pillar that lends a fastback sensibility.

At the back, the rear window segues quickly into a high, short rear deck. That's where the integrated spoiler sustains the lengthening of the car's lines instead of some more obvious announcement. The standard P195/65R15 tires are the right complement for filling the wheel wells as well as for the maneuverability desired in a smaller car. Also, the Rally Sport's 104-inch wheelbase nicely apportions the car into a pleasing balance, another appealing dimension to a compact design.

Like a sports car, the Rally Sport looks like it rides low to the ground, but in fact has a standard ground clearance. The test car came with optional five-spoke aluminum wheels ($295) that, like the rear spoiler, complement the fundamental design cues without overstating them. They maintain the twirled effect of the standard wheels, but have a pleasantly understated aggressiveness with more relief than the original equipment design with bolt-on wheel covers.

At the subtly curvaceous front, the car maintains its sleekness with the body-matching front fascia and narrow headlights. A Chevy Bow Tie is the only badge on the front, while a new Rally Sport badge written on both rear flanks provides model distinction.

Interior Features
If there is a disappointment to the car's visual appeal, it arrives when looking from the inside out. The Rally Sport comes with attractive, cloth-covered seats, which include embroidered RS identification in the headrests. But that's where the visual appeal of an otherwise Spartan interior ends. The cloth motif extends to a small center section of the doors, but otherwise the interior is unrelieved composite.

The functional dash has a small speedometer and tachometer. Except for the door lock and light switch, all the operating switches are stalk-mounted. The center console offers a large tray under the dash, a cup holder, plus storage box, which also includes a second cup holder (when open) and a clever third cup holder for the rear seat when the top is flipped back. The heater/AC unit and radio with minimal functional controls occupy the center of the dash.

The cloth seats are comfortable, resilient and supportive with firm foam contours. But what becomes most quickly apparent is what the exterior gains in design appearance is given back when it comes to front and rear visibility. When compared to the more upright Civic, Escort or Neon greenhouses, the view is not nearly as open. The narrow doors offer excellent side visibility. But they also come with a noticeable trade-off. The long doors are quite heavy; they require some effort to operate and some care in tight parking areas.

The long doors combined with sliding front seats make it easy to get in and out of the back seat. As in the front, the rear passengers will feel as if they are sitting quite low, necessitated to accommodate enough headroom. While there is ample head and shoulder room, legs have to be folded up with knees closer to one's chin than some would deem comfortable. Only a child could handle the center seat in the back, which is too small for an adult. The rear passengers do have the convenience of heat ducts.

In the trunk, the Rally Sport offers excellent cargo space for the class, with 13.2 cubic feet of storage area and a standard cargo net. Rear seats fold down to expand the rear storage area.