Toyota Cavalier

Toyota Cavalier: which version to buy and why

The Toyota Cavalier in this catalogue is a one-generation Coupe built from 1995-11-01 to 2000-12-31, with four listed versions.

The Toyota Cavalier in this catalogue is a one-generation Coupe built from 1995-11-01 to 2000-12-31, with four listed versions. Every version is named 2.4 AT or 2.4 MT, every one is Gasoline, 150 hp (110 kW) at 6000 rpm, 2392 cm³, 4 cylinders Inline, 4 valves per cylinder, boost No, engine Front, transverse, injection Distributed injection (multi-point), drive FWD, tank 58 l, ground clearance 145 mm. 0–100, top speed, fuel consumption, CO2, eco class, gross weight and wheel size are not measured on all four. The buying decision is therefore not “which engine,” but which gearbox, which fuel grade, which compression and stroke, which kerb weight, and which production window.

Specs that actually differ between versions

Both 2.4 AT rows are 150 hp. Distinguish them by kerb weight and start date: one is 1310 kg from 1996-01-01, the other is 1300 kg from 1995-11-01. Both 2.4 MT rows are 150 hp. Distinguish them by start date: 1996-01-01 versus 1995-11-01. Peak power, displacement, layout, boost, drive, tank and clearance do not split the four.

Generations: what changed (one generation, four windows)

There is 1 generation. Body is Coupe. The generation runs 1995-11-01 to 2000-12-31 and lists 4 versions. Restyling is not a separate generation in these data.

What the calendar actually changes:

• From 1995-11-01, the catalogue lists 2.4 AT at 1300 kg and 2.4 MT at 1300 kg. Both run through 2000-12-31.
• From 1996-01-01, a second 2.4 AT appears at 1310 kg and a second 2.4 MT at 1300 kg, also through 2000-12-31.

The extra 2.4 AT from 1996-01-01 is the only version 10 kg heavier (1310 − 1300 = 10 kg). That is 10 / 150 ≈ 0.067 kg per horsepower more mass than the other three. The extra 2.4 MT from 1996-01-01 does not change kerb versus the 1995-11-01 2.4 MT: both are 1300 kg. If you are choosing “later production” for the automatic, you are choosing +10 kg, not more power.

Shared chassis numbers across the generation: front suspension Independent, spring; rear Semi-independent, spring; front brakes Ventilated disc; rear Drum; clearance 145 mm; tank 58 l. Wheel size is not measured. Those items do not pick a winner.

Engine: same 2392 cm³, not the same internal numbers

Power per litre is identical on paper: 150 / 2.392 ≈ 62.7 hp per litre on every version.

The split is compression, stroke and fuel:

• Both 2.4 AT versions: compression 9.5, bore × stroke 90 × 94, fuel 92, torque 216 Nm at 4400 rpm.
• Both 2.4 MT versions: compression 9, bore × stroke 90 × 90, fuel 95, torque 217 Nm at 4400 rpm.

Stroke on 2.4 AT is 94 mm, on 2.4 MT 90 mm — 4 mm longer on the automatics. Compression is 0.5 higher on 2.4 AT (9.5 − 9 = 0.5) even though those cars are specified for 92 fuel, while 2.4 MT is specified for 95. Torque is 1 Nm higher on 2.4 MT (217 − 216 = 1), which is 1 / 216 ≈ 0.5%. Peak power and the rpm of peak power and peak torque do not change.

Boost is No on all four. Cylinders are 4, layout Inline, valves per cylinder 4, position Front, transverse, feed Distributed injection (multi-point). Do not treat “2.4” as four different engines by output: treat it as two calibrations (AT vs MT) duplicated across two start dates.

Gearbox: the real fork in the catalogue

2.4 AT (both): Automatic, 4 gears. 2.4 MT (both): Manual, 5 gears.

That is one extra ratio on the manuals (5 − 4 = 1). Combined with 10 kg less kerb on three of the four cars versus the heavy 2.4 AT, the manuals are the lighter, more-ratio pairing. Drive is FWD on all four; there is no AWD option in these data to pay extra for.

Weight per horsepower:

• 2.4 AT at 1310 kg: 1310 / 150 ≈ 8.73 kg/hp
• 2.4 AT at 1300 kg: 1300 / 150 ≈ 8.67 kg/hp
• 2.4 MT (both at 1300 kg): 1300 / 150 ≈ 8.67 kg/hp

The heavier automatic is 0.06 kg/hp worse (8.73 − 8.67). Relative to the light cars that is 10 / 1300 ≈ 0.8% more mass for the same 150 hp.

Performance and mpg: what is not measured

0–100 km/h: not measured on 2.4 AT (1310 kg), 2.4 MT (from 1996-01-01), 2.4 AT (1300 kg) and 2.4 MT (from 1995-11-01). Top speed: not measured on all four. City / highway / combined consumption: not measured on all four. CO2 and eco class: not measured on all four.

You cannot rank versions by sprint, top speed or mpg from this catalogue. Any claim that one Cavalier is “faster” or “thirstier” than another is outside these numbers. The only arithmetic proxies are kg/hp, Nm, gear count and fuel grade.

Fuel grade does matter as a running-cost input even without mpg: 2.4 AT is specified for 92; 2.4 MT for 95. If 95 costs more per litre where you fill up, the manuals carry that premium on every tank of 58 l. If 92 is what you can actually buy, the automatics match that spec.

Dimensions and weight: the 10 kg automatic

Kerb:

• 2.4 AT from 1996-01-01: 1310 kg
• 2.4 AT from 1995-11-01: 1300 kg
• 2.4 MT from 1996-01-01: 1300 kg
• 2.4 MT from 1995-11-01: 1300 kg

Gross weight: not measured on all four. Ground clearance: 145 mm on all four. Tank: 58 l on all four. Wheels: not measured on all four.

If you need the lightest automatic, that is 2.4 AT from 1995-11-01 at 1300 kg, not the 1996-01-01 2.4 AT at 1310 kg. If you need the lightest car overall, three versions tie at 1300 kg; only one is heavier.

Which version to choose

Choose 2.4 MT (from 1995-11-01) if you want the earliest listed window, 5 gears, 217 Nm, 1300 kg (8.67 kg/hp) and accept 95 fuel, compression 9, stroke 90 mm. Versus the later 2.4 MT, kerb, power, torque, tank and clearance are the same; the difference in the data is the start date (1995-11-01 vs 1996-01-01).

Choose 2.4 MT (from 1996-01-01) if you want the same Manual 5 / 217 Nm / 1300 kg / 95 package but the later start. Nothing in hp, Nm, displacement, tank or clearance pays you for waiting until 1996-01-01.

Choose 2.4 AT (kerb 1300 kg, from 1995-11-01) if you want Automatic 4, 92 fuel, compression 9.5, stroke 90 × 94, 216 Nm, and you do not want the extra 10 kg. This is the light automatic: 8.67 kg/hp, same as both manuals. You give up 1 gear and 1 Nm versus 2.4 MT.

Choose 2.4 AT (kerb 1310 kg, from 1996-01-01) only if you specifically need that later automatic listing. You pay 10 kg for no extra horsepower (still 150 hp / 110 kW), no extra tank, no extra clearance, same 216 Nm, same 4 gears, same 92 fuel. Power per litre stays ≈ 62.7 hp/l. This is the weakest kg/hp figure in the set (≈ 8.73).

Do not choose on 0–100, mpg, top speed, wheels or gross weight — those are not measured. Do not choose on body or generation — there is one generation and one body, Coupe. Do not invent a six-cylinder or a turbo: cylinders are 4 Inline, boost is No.

Short rule: same 150 hp four times. Buy 2.4 MT for 5 gears, +1 Nm and 95 fuel at 1300 kg. Buy the 1300 kg 2.4 AT for 4 gears and 92 fuel without the 10 kg penalty. Skip the 1310 kg 2.4 AT unless the 1996-01-01 automatic window is the only constraint that matters.