Even with a three-speed automatic, we enjoyed the performance of the Sunfire's upgrade 2.4-liter Twin Cam engine. It revs freely, pumps up plenty of torque and even though it's not as quiet as, say, a Honda four-cylinder, it's an improvement over the 2.3-liter Quad 4 from which it evolved. With this engine, the Sunfire comes to play with more horsepower than a Honda Civic and more torque than a Dodge Neon Sport. It raises the Sunfire's performance from the realm of acceptable to spirited.
The suspension is composed of MacPherson struts up front and a twist beam axle in the rear. It's not as sophisticated as many setups in this class, but gets the job done.
We found the Sunfire's handling to be average in quick maneuvers, stable at higher speeds and thoroughly predictable. Ride quality is very good for a car in this class, and firm enough to make the car fun to drive.
This pleasant combination is largely attributable to GM's new-found emphasis on increasing body rigidity, which also improves durability and noise isolation.
GM has also made adjustments to the Sunfire's power rack-and-pinion steering that improve precision, on-center steering feel and quickness (fewer turns from lock to lock).
Like most GM cars, the Sunfire and Cavalier disc/drum braking system includes an antilock feature. However, it's not as sophisticated as the systems found on more expensive cars, and overall braking performance is average.
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