When was the last year they made the Chevy Corsica?
The last year the Chevy Corsica was produced was 1996.
The Chevrolet Corsica was a mid-size car produced by General Motors for North America in the late 1980s and 1990s. It debuted for the 1987 model year as a counterpart to the Pontiac Grand Prix and shared GM’s front-wheel-drive platform. Production continued through the 1996 model year, after which GM phased out the Corsica and shifted its mid-size strategy toward newer models such as the Lumina/Malibu family.
Production timeline and milestones
Below is a concise timeline of the Corsica’s production span and major milestones.
- 1987 model year: Chevrolet introduces the Corsica as part of its North American mid-size lineup.
- 1987–1996: Corsica remains in production across model years until it is discontinued after the 1996 model year.
- Post-1996: GM ends Corsica production and focuses mid-size strategy on other models (e.g., Lumina/Malibu family) on newer platforms.
These points capture the core lifecycle of the Corsica within GM's broader product strategy.
Legacy and market context
In the GM lineup, the Corsica served buyers seeking an affordable mid-size sedan during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Its discontinuation in 1996 reflected a shift in GM's approach to mid-size cars as the market moved toward newer platforms and styling in the late 1990s.
Summary: The Chevrolet Corsica’s production ran from 1987 to 1996, with 1996 marking its final year in North American manufacture. The nameplate was retired as GM reorganized its mid-size offerings and redirected toward newer models.
Final takeaway: For collectors and enthusiasts, the Corsica represents a specific era of GM’s mid-size strategy, reflecting late-1980s design language and the construction practices of American automakers at the time.
What year did Chevy make the Corsica?
The Chevy Corsica was produced from the 1988 to 1996 model years. It was first sold as an early 1988 model in February 1987 and was officially replaced by the new Chevrolet Malibu in 1997.
You can watch this video to learn more about the history of the Chevrolet Corsica: 58sRare Classic Cars & Automotive HistoryYouTube · Jan 29, 2023
- 1988–1990: The first generation was produced during these years.
- 1991: A four-door hatchback version was introduced alongside the sedan, but was discontinued after the 1992 model year.
- 1996: This was the final model year for the Corsica.
Why was the Chevy Corsica discontinued?
The Chevy Corsica was discontinued because it became too dated, the company needed to prepare for new safety regulations, and a new, redesigned Chevrolet Cavalier was better positioned to compete in the compact car market. The final model year was 1996, as a full redesign would have been required to meet 1997 federal safety standards.
- Outdated design: The Corsica was initially designed for fleet sales, and by 1996, it had received only minor updates during its nearly decade-long run, making it look dated compared to the competition.
- Safety regulations: Implementing the necessary safety upgrades for the 1997 model year would have required a total redesign, which was not deemed worthwhile.
- New competition: A redesigned Chevrolet Cavalier was introduced that was more competitive in the compact car segment, making the aged Corsica redundant.
Was the Chevy Corsica a reliable car?
Reliable car.
This was my 1st car, I bought it in 2003 with 119,000 miles and owned it for 2 years. Never had any serious problems. Had some leaks.
What replaced the Chevy Corsica?
Chevrolet Malibu
The Corsica was replaced by the larger Chevrolet Malibu for the 1997 model year.
