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:

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  Ok when not in shop - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By singingsg - July 15 - 2:00 am

  Overall Ive had a pretty decent experience with my trailblazer other than when it has been in the shop to fix recall problems. Other than the recall things, I havent had any trouble with it. It has a very nice and comfortable design for travel or family. It has a lot of room in it. I use it to pack up our groups sound equipment which there is a lot of and I can tote all of that in the back plus the 5 of us in the front comfortably.

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  the best - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By billy Joe - July 15 - 2:00 am

  It is one of the best cars that I ever drove !!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!! !!!! !!!!!! !!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!! !!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!

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  Extended Cab for the single parent - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Adge - July 15 - 2:00 am

  In my search for this very vehicle, I was determined to get what I wanted. I had no problem finding it!

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  I love my truck.................... - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By gabriel m - July 15 - 2:00 am

  i have nothing to say about my truck but good things. I used to have a 2001 silverado and decided to go with a 2004 and couldnt be any happier....thank you chevy----for anyone who decides to do lease please reconsider---GMAC will screw you like they did me on my 2001. Its just cheaper to buy then it is to lease---no if ands or buts about it

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  GREAT TRUCK GREAT PRICE - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Chevroletman9766 - July 15 - 2:00 am

  Probably the best truck i have ever owned, bought the truck new in september i use it to go back and forth to work, i have a bad back and the seats in the chevrolet with leather and seat warmers make all the differance in the world, my last vehicle i could sit in for maybe 30 mins and felt pain this truck i can drive for hours of painless driving if you have a bad back you can relate with me BUY A CHEVY wow what a truck

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  get the 5.3 v8 - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By tracker - July 15 - 2:00 am

  I got the 04 2dr regular cab silverado 1500 with a plow/tow package 5.3 v8. It was my first truck. I used it for plowing this year and it performed awsome. I suggest getting the 5.3 v8 it has alot of balls. The 4.8 v8 is a dog, so spend the extra cash and you wont be sorry. The miles per gallons suck but its worth the power. If youre gonna plow, get the hevy duty 2500 beacuse the suspension is better. The truck feels like a car when youre driving it. But since im a chevy fan dont take my advice.

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  work truck - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By sgclute - July 15 - 2:00 am

  Nice ride/drive and comfortable FOR a big truck. Easy to get around and work with. Parking not bad for a truck. Gas mileage to power ratio very disapionting. I would have gone with the V8 if I had known the gas miles would be so bad anyway. Overall though I feel like it is a lot of truck for the money.

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  The Best Vehicle Ever - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By #1Silverado - July 15 - 2:00 am

  After having to take Chrysler Corp/Daimler- whatever to court for the LemonLaw on a $40000 piece of garbage- The Chevy is better than the 2002 Cadillac Deville I traded as well as the 2 Hondas or 3 Acuras or 3 Cadillacs I have had in 8 years. It is reliable comfortable and holds anything I can put in it. Buy One now.

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  good - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By haus8787378rjh;l - July 15 - 2:00 am

  good, has but would be better with more power of a bigger engine. I have lots of big dog parts on my silverado so it has more power because there in not enought stock.

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  Storms S-10 CrewCab - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By Storm Gage - July 15 - 1:53 am

  I just had the transmission and rear differential replaced - total cost $3100.00 I put it in reverse the other day and it sounded like a grenade went off. I couldnt believe this American and union built car needed all this work done and the vehicle is only 4 1/2 years old - quite surprising.