Overview & Reviews

Chevrolet sells an impressively wide range of vehicles, from subcompact hatchbacks to huge vans and SUVs. If you're looking for a reasonably priced vehicle, odds are that Chevy will have something to fit your needs.

Chevrolet got its start in 1911. After William C. Durant had been ousted from General Motors, he joined forces with Swiss-born racecar driver Louis Chevrolet to found the Chevrolet Motor Car Company. The company's first offering was the Classic Six. Introduced in 1912, this five-passenger touring sedan could top 65 mph, fast for the time. Chevrolet's storied bowtie logo -- reportedly inspired by the wallpaper of a Paris hotel room that Durant stayed at -- made its first appearance in 1914.

By 1918, Chevrolet's profitability allowed Durant to purchase enough shares in GM to regain control. Chevrolet became another division of GM, and was its largest volume division by the mid-1920s. By 1927, Chevrolet outsold rival Ford, with sales in excess of 1 million units.

In the mid-1930s Chevrolet introduced independent front suspension, which provided a smoother ride over the rough roads of the day. The 1940s saw continued success with affordable coupes, sedans and pickup trucks catering to American families, farmers and businessmen.

By the mid-1950s, Chevrolet, GM's entry-level division, had added a V8 engine, power steering and brakes, power windows and air-conditioning to its list of available features, allowing luxury for those on a tighter budget. Around this time the iconic Bel Air model -- available in coupe, sedan, convertible and wagon body styles -- proved very popular. The company introduced its alluring Corvette in 1953; the vehicle was the first mass-produced car with a fiberglass body.

The 1960s saw the unveiling of the popular, air-cooled Corvair compact, which held the distinction of being the first domestic production car with all-around independent suspension. That decade also witnessed the launch of the compact Nova, the midsize Chevelle and the sporty Camaro, the latter Chevrolet's answer to the wildly successful Ford Mustang. The Camaro proved an instant hit, comprising 10 percent of Chevrolet's total sales in 1967, its first year of production.

In the 1970s, Chevy responded to changing preferences by introducing small cars like the Vega and the Chevette, and by downsizing larger models such as the Caprice and Malibu. The company combated the market domination of foreign nameplates in the 1980s by rolling out the Cavalier. By the end of that decade, trucks and SUVs had started to become increasingly popular with the general consumer, and the brand's mid- and full-size models continue to this day to be some of the most popular on the road.

The '90s and the early 2000s saw the company raising the performance bar with its Corvette (notably the Z06 and, later, ZR1 variants) and reincarnated Impala SS. Chevrolet's Silverado pickup truck and Tahoe/Suburban SUVs continued to be hits as well. By 2010, the Camaro had returned to the lineup after a seven-year hiatus.

Modern times have seen Chevrolet make significant improvements in its small and midsize car models and introduce the Volt plug-in hybrid. The latter provides a nearly 40-mile range on electric power alone, and adds to the company's already well-rounded lineup of cars, trucks and SUVs. Though today's marketplace is very demanding, Chevrolet seems poised to remain a power player through its affordable and innovative vehicles.

User Reviews:

• 

  My newest Monte Carlo - 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By joecrt - April 3 - 2:00 am

  I turned 100,000 on my 1997 Monte Carlo with no plan to sell. But I learned about the incentives, went out to get a Grand Prix and came home with a Gray Metallic 2004 Monte Carlo. Its an SS where the previous one was an LS - 25% percent more powerful. This car has 4- wheel disk brakes with ABS. I live in Michigan and really noticed the difference on ice and snow as my previous car (which I loved) had rear drum brakes. The stereo is awesome. Im thrilled with the car, my last one made it to 92,000 without repairs and then needed a right front ball joint. Anyone from Michigan knows about the condition of our roads in the winter.

• 

  Love my Monte SS - 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By LuvMy66GTO - April 3 - 2:00 am

  For the money, the looks and performance of this vehicle are great. This is undoubltedly the nicest car that I have ever owned. It has all the toys including the heated seats, onstar, and auto start function. While its not as powerful as the turbo its also not as pricey either. I fell in love with the look of the car, classy yet sporty. My all time love is my 66 GTO but its not a practical daily driver. This car has it all!!!!

• 

  my truck - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By jason73 - April 3 - 2:00 am

  I love this truck for so many things but the best thing I love is the smooth ride

• 

  I love my truck - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Janie Biddix - April 3 - 2:00 am

  The best vehicle I have owned thus far. The versibility is wonderful. It is a car and truck mixed into one vehicle. I can take my grandkids for a ride and haul pretty much what I want as well. The handling of the truck is great--in rain or snow I have the capability of maneuvering the vehicle to my satisfaction. Gas mileage is okay, but of course we all want better efficiency. We have to sacrifice something for the luxury we want. The quietness of the vehicle is another plus.

• 

  Avalanche - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By jhp625 - April 3 - 2:00 am

  Great ride, very comfortable to drive. Auto four wheel drive a plus.

• 

  Most Versatile Suv Yet - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Covinaraider - April 3 - 2:00 am

  Ive had this vehicle almost a year now and have been nothing but happy! The comfort, power, and versatility give it a package that my friends envy. It drives smoother than a tahoe, and has done everything that I have needed it to do. Yeah of course I wish it got better gas mileage (16 mpg overall), but which SUV/Truck owner doesnt.

• 

  Chevy Gets It Right - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By LoveMyChevy - April 3 - 2:00 am

  Quality, Reliability AND fun to Drive - what a combo. I am a professional Quality/Reliability Engineer and after 5000 miles this car has NO quality or reliability problems. Acceleration when you want it is great. When you dont want accel car is tame as a kitten. Handles well and still has a smooth ride. I owned a Lincoln LS and this beats it hands down for 1000s less.

• 

  Get-up & Gone - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By Truly Amazing - April 3 - 2:00 am

  The best phrase to describe the Impala is "Get up & gone". Merging into traffic has been more of an ease. Absolutly no hesitation as far as this car goes; it "rails the highway." The extremely smooth ride and quitness that a luxury sedan has to offer. I love the overall performance and its style. It is also a great family car with outstanding interior space. In a nutshell, the Impala LS is a fun car to drive at a great cost.

• 

  GOOD, SOLID CAR - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By AMANDA - April 3 - 2:00 am

  THIS SEEMS TO BE A SOLID BUILT CAR. IT IS VERY QUIET, AND HANDLES VERY WELL. I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS SO FAR. IT HAS ROOM FOR 3 CAR SEATS IN BACK. AND PLENTY OF LEG ROOM IN FRONT AND BACK.

• 

  fun to drive 2003 z-71 tahoe - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By joseph f parent jr - April 3 - 2:00 am

  I have owned three chevrolet z71 tahoes since 2002. The first one i traded because it was on a lease and i liked it so much i wanted to own it outright. I then purchased a 2003 z71 and love it has a little more bells and whistles, including a bose stereo system and climate control. For those wanting to buy one i love mine