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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  charlies review - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By chasrd - March 21 - 10:00 am

  This is a quality car. Its good looking, affords reasonable mileage, rides and handles well. The price was very good, with my GM card refund and the $3000 cash back I got a fully loaded car at a very reasonable price. Ive had several Chevys over the years and have found them to be reliable sedans.

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  nice car bad brakes replaced - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By wingmajors757 - March 21 - 10:00 am

  great gas milage fun to drive and a pleasure to own.

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  I like this car - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By Lisadams - March 21 - 10:00 am

  Over all I like this car. I think the outside trim along the doors should be the basic black instead of the same color of the car. When someone hits your door with their door, your paint chips on the trim. Who wants a brand new car with a chip in the door? It made me SICK. MPG was big thing for me, and it does do pretty good. Im a little disappointed the car doesnt hold its value. You buy it for 26K and in a year they are selling them for 17K. That alone is enough to make me wish I had bought European. Aside from repair costs I guess.

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  Wooooooooohooooooooo!!!!!! - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By Maria Morman - March 21 - 10:00 am

  When I spotted my new automobile, I fell in love with it. I love the Silver color, the body style and the interior.I cant believe the sitting space, very nice,lots of room. And the big trunk...wow. I really like the why it handles on the highway too. From a Malibu to a Impala......wow what a big difference When i left the dealership I told them that I was in 7 heaven and woooooooohooooooooo!! Maria Morman

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  Second Impala - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By AKT - March 21 - 10:00 am

  We bought this 2004 because of the performance of our 2002 Impala, which we intend to keep for many more years! We drive between Arizona and Ohio several times per year. We could not be happier with the comfort, drive, and performance of both the 2002 and the 2004. The gas mileage is far above the listed expectations. Driving 2200 miles each way numerous times has afforded us the opportunity to determine the comfortability of the Impala. The fold down style of the rear seats allows us to haul whatever we need to transport. We have the versatility of a truck with the comfort of a beautiful, well-built automobile.

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  Great, Fun Vehicle - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Zoe911 - March 21 - 10:00 am

  Fun to drive with plenty of power for me! Highway gas mileage is decent. In city mileage could be improved. Overall, an excellent choice for someone looking for a nice SUV with a sensible and affordable cost.

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  I Love This Vehicle - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By HRH - March 21 - 10:00 am

  I was driving a car that was too low and it started getting harder and harder to get out of the car. I test drove a Chrysler 300, Jeep, 4-Runner and Equinox. The Equinox has the most "solid" feel, both in the driving and the shut-the-door test; it is also the most comfortable of the group. I purchased an AWD with all the bells and whistles, including OnStar. Its a joy to drive. The only drawback is the miles per gallon. I went from a 30+ mpg to about 20 mpg.

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  Equinox fax - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Rick Gutierrez - March 21 - 10:00 am

  I just recently purchased this vehicle on October 3, 2004. I am very pleased with it but am concernec about the cup holders in the back being too flimsy. Also, something might be wrong with the steering wheel. OTher than that, I really enjoy driving it.

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  Nox - just fun to drive - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By EQ - March 21 - 10:00 am

  I was looking at Trailblazers but couldnt live with the 15mpg or less they get. The Equinox was a great compromise for an SUV yet 20+mpg. I found most of the vehicles out there look boring. I also was looking for something different, new and fun to drive. The Equinox fits all of these. It gets plenty of looks and people wanting to know what it is. Mine Nox is lazer blue in color which really turns heads.

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  LT AWD - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By mm46410 - March 21 - 10:00 am

  Im very impressed with the awd performance. When excellerating from a stop you can feel the energy from all the wheels instead of just the tork from the back wheels. Also the very roomy atmosphere within the cabin is a plus.