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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  I Love It - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By solderqueen - June 2 - 2:00 am

  I chose the Chevy Aveo for my first car, and I absolutely love it. Its easy to manage, has excellent gas mileage, and small which helps first time drivers get used to turns and staying in lanes. Its also nice for my generation and possibly even younger that an MP3 player comes with the LS version. And you get an excellent car for a very nice price. Its an awesome deal.

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  suprised car - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By cohed - June 2 - 2:00 am

  comfort,coazy and very solid car but not to sport driving.

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  Sweet Ride - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
  By darrick - June 2 - 2:00 am

  I love it...you sit above most and the power of this machine really hits the spot.

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  Cavalier - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By realtoir - June 2 - 2:00 am

  I dont agree with the negative consumer reports review on this vehicle. We helped our son get a 2003 Cavalier with 16 alloy wheels, power windows, doors, keyless entry and great sound system- It is sleek looking, great on gas mileage, and the engine ((the only thing reviewed positively) is fun to drive.

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  My Malibu - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Bebebri - June 2 - 2:00 am

  I feel that the radio/ stereo system could have been focused on more, with an upgraded system like the Escalades bose sound

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  I love my monte carlo - 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By I love my car - June 2 - 2:00 am

  the monte carlo that i purchase has been great. This car gets great gas mileage 29mpg on the hightway. my car also has a sun roof which adds comfort the leather seats are comfortable the car is easy to take care of it handles well on the road and huge the road and curves I would buy one again.

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  Best Ride to tow a boat - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Dana Breyer - June 2 - 2:00 am

  Waited for my 2500 Avalanche, one of the first to be delivered. Ordered on 9/9/2001. Received 11/2001. I have a 30 foot boat which weighs about 12500 lbs. This truck pulls better than the Ford diesel 3500. Gas mileage is ok. 10 mpg city and 15 on highway. Very few problems with the vehicle. Happy I bought it when I did. P.S. So far I have made $17.00 on the "CHANGE FOR A BUCK".

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  Not as good as my 92 - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By joefech - June 2 - 2:00 am

  I think this redesign has its benefits, (ride, quiteness) but theres too much plastic and loose fitting interior parts. I have what seems to be common problems-- driveshaft yoke likes to bind on takeoff and makes a thumping noise, ABS brakes absolutely suck--if I have one tire loosing traction, it just hums and does not want to stop!!! I almost rear-ended someone because of a very small patch of ice!! Needs more sway control--maybe a rear sway bar-- too rocky in slow speed manuevers.

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  Best Bang For The Buck - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By Goof47 - June 2 - 2:00 am

  For the consumer who wants good gas mileage, safety, comfort, reliability, and affordability, and does not mind driving a car that dosent turn heads, this car is for you...

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  Love my Impala ! - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By lin656 - June 2 - 2:00 am

  My car is great to drive around town, roomy enough to take the kids on vacation and school but sporty and fast enough to be fun to drive. Great gas mileage on trips as well. I love the looks and feel of it.