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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  Makes me smile - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Marmatoes - January 5 - 2:00 am

  Fabulous sports car. I had a 1998 and this one is much the same. A sexy, very fast head-turner. Did I say fast? I believe this is the most performance car I can get under 50 grand. It loves the road and has awesome looks. I can hardly wait to leave where ever I am so I can jump into my Corvette and hit the road.

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  GREAT RIDE - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By F PEREZ - January 5 - 2:00 am

  GREAT CAR, THE ONLY DISAPPOINTMENT WAS HAVING A CASETTE IN THE CAR-NOBODY USES CASETTE ANY MORE.IT IS LIKE PUTTING AN 8 TRACK PLAYERIN A CAR.

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  LS - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By Duane n - January 5 - 2:00 am

  If you can not afford the SS buy the LS option, its fun to drive. Great pick up with the 3800 engine not quite like the SS, but a lot better than the smaller engine, the handling is great. With gas prices rising the 3800 has great mpg numbers.

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  real truck - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By big ride - January 5 - 2:00 am

  nothing new,used to called a blazer,k truck etc,suv on a truck frame,whats its supposed to be.w/option can be lux truck,heated leather seats,stab.system,level ride,on star,xm radio,rear contols,etc.

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  super Z71 - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By user682012 - January 5 - 2:00 am

  After driving regular automobiles this vehicle is fun to drive and has the poer/performance of a sports car. I drove a Lincoln mkV111 for ten years, it felt good, but the Z71 has a similar performance and more room. Excellent vehicle

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  Better than the Ford F 150 by far - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By KenLee - January 5 - 2:00 am

  Having spent several weeks renting an F- 150 all new 2004 model, and then buying the Silverado, I was more than impressed. Its mileage for a large truck is really better than one could expect. Its ride is closer to large car quality than most, where the Ford bucked and jumped on uneven freeways in Texas. The bucket seat option is a must, and the XM Satellite Radio is a lot of fun that came with the package. Easy to drive and operate.

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  Almost there! - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By LynnF - January 5 - 2:00 am

  excellent truck, overall, really, but GM couldve easily done a couple of things to improve it... as a couple of previous reviewers have noted, the ride can be a little choppy, and the handling isnt very good - if Im not mistaken, my 02 Avalanche handled better. some variable-rate springs mightve done the trick. the trucks appearance is fine from a distance, but I think they couldve done something better with the lower-body cladding - up close it looks very "after-thought-ish". Acceleration is fine, seats and interior are great. Fuel economy is so-so, but we knew that going in, right?

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  Recently purchased a 2007 Monte Carlo ss - 2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Brandon - January 4 - 10:06 pm

  I just recently purchased a 2007 Monte Carlo SS with a V8. It is very fast and peppy and fun to drive, while also comfortable!

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  Traditional American Car - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By MplsChevy - January 4 - 7:03 pm

  The Impala is solid, affordable, and well equipped traditional American sedan. Fuel economy is impressive for such a large car. Exterior styling is great. Handling is not a strong point.

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  Buy it with your eyes closed, so good - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Rajinder Goyal - January 4 - 3:53 pm

  I just love this car. Packed with unbelievable features, it is a luxury at an affordable price.