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 like it - 2008 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Eric K - March 23 - 2:12 pm

  Im still a new owner, but I think this is a great car. The power is great, and as a racecar driver, the handling is impressively good. Even my wife, who has no interest in cars, likes it. The interior has just had some minor upgrades and seems fine to me. The seats are comfortable and the controls come to hand nicely. Very little noise gets inside the car either. Unfortunately this also makes the cars occasional squeeks from the roof latches stand out more. I guess GM has a fix coming soon for this problem. Another niggle is the occasional nanny warnings from the computer. You cant open the doors with the engine running and itll even warn you if you leave the turn signal on too long.

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  very good - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By uallreadyknoe - March 23 - 2:00 am

  it was a very good car it drives very smooth it was excellent really cofortabale as well i love the size of the car its more of a teen car to me thats why i like it cause im a teen myself its a great size its just a perfect little car or what not

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  a great small car - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By studmuff - March 23 - 2:00 am

  We love this car.

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  Great Car - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Big Bear - March 23 - 2:00 am

  I asked a lot of people about their Cavalier before I purchased one. I never heard anything bad. All of them happy with the car especially the longevity of it. Cars going into the three hundred thousand range. The car is rated at 26 MPG around town and I am getting 33. No freeway at all, all stop and go driving. I like everything about the car, especially the 2.2 engine and 5spd. trans.

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  The Cool Car!!! - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By matsounds - March 23 - 2:00 am

  This car is fun, fast, powerful and is just an all around great car to drive!!!!!

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  My Purple Baby - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By PurpleLady - March 23 - 2:00 am

  Even though I purchased this car in 1998, it has proven to be a very good choice for me....I love my Chevy and it is the first car I have purchased! It officially became my car this year and I would definitely buy a Cavalier again. Its dependable, reliable and I love the comfort I get from driving it in any season!!! I love my Chevy!!! :) Adrienne

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  loving the 04 cavailer - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By missysphs99 - March 23 - 2:00 am

  i LOVE the new cavalier! it makes 4- sedan fun and practical for young families. and the pick up is incredible.

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  great car for the money - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By vermont maid - March 23 - 2:00 am

  I really like the car.the power i get from a 2.2L engine is amazing.my friend owns a 1997 with 4 kids which still is in great shape, turning me toward the cavalier.I would recoment this car to anyone wanting a semi-sporty car with a limited budget.

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  The fun car for fun people - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By tigress - March 23 - 2:00 am

  Purchased to replace 86 cavalier, and havent been sorry at all. Fun to drive, nice for scooting around town, easy to spot in the parking lot, purhased the yellow (WOW). Gas consumption is excellant. Overall one of the best purchases in a long while.

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  Great car to have! - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Jen1979 - March 23 - 2:00 am

  I have had my 2003 cavalier for about 6 months now and I love it! I did have a minor problem with a missing ABS module. But I think its the dealers fault. Other then that the car handles perfectly! And it looks great ( when its clean, and waxed hehehe)