Vauxhall Cavalier Mk III CC 1.4 (75 Hp)


Overall Rating

7.1 / 10
Safety N/A / 5
Not Rated
Engine 2.0 / 5
Value 4.2 / 5
Performance 3.5 / 5
Comfort 4.0 / 5
People\'s Opinion N/A / 5
Not Rated

Vauxhall Cavalier:

The Vauxhall Cavalier is a large family car that was sold primarily in the United Kingdom by Vauxhall from 1975 to 1995. It was based on a succession of Opel designs throughout its production life, during which it was built in three incarnations. The first generation of Cavalier, launched in 1975 and produced until 1981, was Vauxhall's version of the General Motors 'U-Car' — essentially an Opel Ascona B/ Opel Manta with a few minor visual differences.
The second generation of Cavalier, launched in 1981 and produced until 1988, was launched simultaneously with the identical new generation of Opel Ascona, which was sold across the world in various guises on the GM "J-Body platform". The third and final generation of Cavalier, launched in 1988 and produced until 1995, was a rebadged Opel Vectra A with the same production span. Cavaliers for the UK market were predominantly built at Vauxhall's Luton plant, but were also built alongside their Ascona/Vectra sister models at Opel plants in Continental Europe....(Read more on Wikipedia)

Mk III CC Overview:

Vauxhall Cavalier (Mk III CC). With 108 Nm of torque, it offers ample pulling power. It has moderate fuel consumption (~9.2 l/100km). Weighing only 1005 kg, it’s quite light. Front‑wheel drive delivers efficiency and easy handling. Acceleration is relatively slow (0–100 km/h in 14 s). The top speed reaches 176 km/h. A compact car with a rear door that swings upward to provide access to the cargo area. Seating for 5 makes it ideal for daily use.

1.4 (75 Hp) Verdict:

Rating 3 stars

Performance Verdict

Basic performance, primarily suited for city driving where its smaller engine size is less of a hindrance.

Fuel Economy

Very good fuel economy for a petrol engine, making it a budget-friendly option for urban commuters.

Best Use Case: City Driving / First Car

Pros and Cons:

Pros:

  • • Wide range of engines, from economical diesels to powerful V6 and 16V petrols
  • • Spacious and practical interior, especially the hatchback (CC) variant
  • • Comfortable ride quality, well-suited for long journeys
  • • Generally robust and reliable, with many examples still on the road
  • • Excellent value for money on the used car market

Cons:

  • • Entry-level engines can feel underpowered by modern standards
  • • Interior design is dated and lacks modern amenities
  • • Some models prone to rust, particularly around wheel arches and sills
  • • Handling, while safe, is not as sharp as some contemporary rivals
  • • Lack of modern safety features compared to newer vehicles

Specifications:

Specifications are compared to those of the previous generation(Mk II CC: 1987 - 1988).

General:
Brand:Vauxhall
Model:Cavalier
Generation:Mk III CC
Modification (Engine):1.4 (75 Hp)
Start of production:1988
End of production:1992
Powertrain Architecture:Internal Combustion engine
Body type:Hatchback
Seats:5
Doors:5
Engine:
Power:75 Hp @ 5600 rpm. Same horsepower
Power per litre:54 Hp/l [worst than previous generation]
Torque:108 Nm @ 3000 rpm.
Engine Model/Code:14NV More details about the engine 14NV
Engine displacement:1389
Number of cylinders:4
Engine configuration:Inline
Number of valves per cylinder:2
Fuel injection system:Carburettor
Engine aspiration:Naturally aspirated engine
Valvetrain:OHC
Engine oil capacity:3 l
Coolant:5.6 l
Engine layout:Front, Transverse
Cylinder Bore:77.6 mm
Piston Stroke:73.4 mm
Compression ratio:9.4:1
Performance:
Fuel Type:Petrol (Gasoline)
Fuel consumption (economy) - urban:9.2 l/100 km
Fuel consumption (economy) - extra urban:5 l/100 km
Fuel consumption (economy) - combined:6.3 l/100 km
Acceleration 0 - 100 km/h:14 sec
Acceleration 0 - 62 mph:14 sec
Maximum speed:176 km/h
Weight-to-power ratio:13.4 kg/Hp, 74.6 Hp/tonne
Weight-to-torque ratio:9.3 kg/Nm, 107.5 Nm/tonne
Acceleration 0 - 60 mph:13.3 sec
Space:
Kerb Weight:1005
Max. weight:1530
Max load:525
Trunk (boot) space - maximum:1290 l
Trunk (boot) space - minimum:460 l
Fuel tank capacity:61 l
Size:
Length:4352 mm
Width:1706 mm
Height:1400 mm
Wheelbase:2600 mm
Front track:1420 mm
Rear (Back) track:1423 mm
Powertrain:
Drivetrain ArchitectureThe Internal combustion engine (ICE) drives the front wheels of the vehicle.
Drive wheelFront wheel drive
Number of gears5
Transmission typeManual
Front brakesDisc [bad for performance and cooling.]
Rear brakesDrum [bad for performance and cooling.]
Steering typeSteering rack and pinion
Tires size175/70 R14
Wheel rims size14
Front suspensionIndependent, type McPherson with coil spring and anti-roll bar
Rear suspensionCoil spring

Is it love at first sight with the Vauxhall Cavalier? Tell us your story!