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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  Impalas are Great - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By bigboy - November 4 - 2:00 am

  We bought our car after my wife had a wreck. The impala has been a wonderful purchase for us.I reccommend this car to anyone.

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  Excellent Vehicle - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By A Pair Of Cops - November 4 - 2:00 am

  Excellent vehicle, great gas milage. We constantly get 29 to 31 mpg when using the cruise control at 72 mph. The Impala is a fun car to drive with lots of room. It is large on the inside yet it still handles like a sports car. We Love It.

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  OUT STANDING EXPERIENCE - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By SUZAN YOUSSEF - November 4 - 2:00 am

  what i experienced with this car proceded all my expectations, really you feel as if you are dealing with an impala, it is fast , very very safe ,you have total control extremly reliable performance , very sleaqu high quality vecheil , makes you feel so special .

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  Very, Very Nice - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By Victoria - November 4 - 2:00 am

  One of the best cars I have ever driven or owned!!!

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  I Love My 2004 Impala - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By TeresaWWB - November 4 - 2:00 am

  I have had many cars, trucks and SUVs and this is by far my best vehicle that I have owned. I love the way it drives, the seating space, body style and interior.

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  BETTER THAN EXPECTED - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By JJOYS1000 - November 4 - 2:00 am

  GOOD STRONG PERFORMER. GOOD RIDE QUALITY. LITTLE BIT OF HEAD SHAKE. THROTTLE TIP IN A LITTLE ABRUPT.GAS MILEAGE POOR 13MPG HIGHWAY. INTERIOR LOOKING VERY DATED. TOO MUCH PLASTIC.

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  Great Cross-over - 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
  By Orland Joe - November 3 - 1:06 am

  Was looking at the Equinox, but sure glad I waited for the Traverse to come out. What a great SUV to drive. Very quick and a good, smooth ride. Loads of features in the 2LT, like power lift gate, remote start, rear camera in mirror, reverse sensing alarm. The 5 year power train warranty also helped me with my decision to buy.

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  Should have made it sooner - 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid
  By gary - November 3 - 12:20 am

  My last car is Tahoe 2002 LT. It had 145,000 miles with virtually no mechanical problems other than 2 failed power windows. It still runs great so I gave it to one of our store manager. I tow 4000 lb. boat and haul heavy loads of beverages. There is no other Hybrid that can do all that. I have been getting 20.7 mpg in city and highway combined driving. It tows my boat well. I really enjoy the quietness. The back seat doesnt hide away like the older Tahoe so I lose a little cargo space probably due to the space being used for battery storage. I hope the GM doesnt give up its Hybrid program.

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  electrical problems with chev truck - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By ouellette - November 2 - 10:26 pm

  I have a 2000 1500 silverado Z71 fully loaded stepside I have had this truck back to the dealership 20 times for the same problem security light and service 4 wheel drive light comes on and stays on. dealership worked on this but took them over 1 year to fix dont bother calling GM they dont return calls

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  Klunk, Bump, Thump, Slosh, Squeak - 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Tom - November 2 - 9:33 pm

  Seats are made of cheap soft outer foam with a hollow inner core the compresses. Which after a couple thousand miles turns to an uncomfortable squishy, sagging, un comfortable garbage. Driveline thumps and clunks, fuel sloshes and thumps between 3/4 and full. Brake squeal at 5 - 15 mph braking. Accelerator pedal stick out to far cannot straighten right leg and still reach steering wheel which has a shorter shaft. I hit my head getting in the truck, center review mirror hides pedestrians and vehicles at traffic lights, almost hit a few because i could not see them. Fuel economy poot, cab in too skinny at roof line and roof is too low. seats are too skinny, no under hood light