What took the place of the Chevy Cavalier?
The Chevrolet Cobalt replaced the Cavalier in the United States, starting with the 2005 model year.
The Cavalier, Chevy's long-running compact, was produced from 1982 to 2005, spanning several generations and platform shifts. As GM reorganized its lineup around newer architectures and safety standards, the Cobalt emerged as the direct successor in North America, with the broader compact-segment strategy later moving toward the Cruze in the early 2010s.
Historical context: the Cavalier era
The Cavalier first arrived in 1982 as Chevrolet's front-wheel-drive compact, replacing the Chevette. It expanded into coupe and sedan configurations and evolved through multiple generations before GM retired the name after the 2005 model year. The Sunfire, Pontiac's badge-engineered sibling, also ended alongside the Cavalier in the same transition.
The Cobalt years: a direct successor
Chevrolet introduced the Cobalt for the 2005 model year to serve as the Cavalier’s successor in the compact segment. Built on GM's Delta platform, the Cobalt offered modern styling, improved safety features, and refreshed engines. Production continued through 2010, when GM pivoted to the next-generation compact lineup.
Badge-engineering note: Sunfire and other variants
GM sold the same basic compact concept under the Pontiac Sunfire and, in some markets, other badges. The Sunfire was discontinued in 2005 as part of the Cavalier/Cobalt transition, with the Cobalt remaining Chevrolet's primary compact option.
Beyond the Cobalt: the Cruze era
In the United States, the Cobalt's role as Chevrolet's compact sedan gave way to the Cruze for the 2011 model year in the U.S. market. The Cruze expanded the brand's compact lineup with a more modern design, fuel efficiency, and available technology, and it remains a core model in Chevrolet's lineup today.
Summary
The Chevy Cavalier was effectively retired in 2005 and replaced by the Chevrolet Cobalt in the U.S. market. The Cobalt, in turn, gave way to the Chevrolet Cruze in the early 2010s as GM continued to update its compact offerings, culminating in a modern lineup centered on the Cruze platform in many regions.
