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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  Supercharged Sport Truck - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By SuperCharged Sport - July 21 - 8:06 am

  I love to drive this truck! It has a Radix Magna Charger, Volant Cool Air Intake and an aftermarket MAF sensor. Needless to say it is very fast, pushing around 500 hp. Looks much better than the Ford and Dodge. It gets about 19 mpg on the highway and 15 in town, If you take it easy

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  I love this car - 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Rickey - July 21 - 2:00 am

  This car has all the features I wanted and some I didnt know I needed until I used them. Like heated seats, what a great option! The stereo controls on the stearing wheel and ON STAR are great features and add to the safety factor. But best of all I think this car looks great, drives like a dream and trouble free.

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  My excellet small car - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Ramon Valdes - July 21 - 2:00 am

  I like everything in this car. It has the right size. The best feature is mileage, it makes from 29 to 30 mph in the city and about 35 to 37 in the highway. It is very easy to drive. I had one years ago and it was my best car. Now, I changed a big car for the small one Cavalier because it is better than any other car I ever had.

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  Its a great car - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Novak - July 21 - 2:00 am

  We were looking for something small with good gas mileage, and most of all comfort. also a large trunk area. With the back seat going down we got that. We found everything and more that we were looking for in the Cavalier. I think it is the best kept secret in the Chevy line.

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  LS Sport Coupe IS safe - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By rclieb - July 21 - 2:00 am

  Great handling little car... fun to drive.. responsive, fast and so far very reliable.. and forget the crash test nonsense, we got rear ended by an SUV and the car did exactly what it was supposed to do... it protected the occupants.. our body shop was very impressed with the way it folded - as it was designed to do - and protected us.

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  I love it!!! - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Diamond Girl - July 21 - 2:00 am

  I love my Car! Its so comfortable and stylish.My family (3kids) and hubby can sit very comfortably. Its spacious!I love going on my little errands for the family:)I always wanted a Bonneville for years, until I saw the Malibu.I have not regretted purchasing this car. I know that I am going to love it for a long time.......

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  Best Ever - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By DATAGUY - July 21 - 2:00 am

  This is my best new car ever. It looks great,handles great,lots of power. Other people love the looks of it.the only change I would make-leather interior on the next one.

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  Saab for Chevrolet price - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By legal begal - July 21 - 2:00 am

  This car which I understand is based on the Saab 9-3 really drives like a Saab. Be sure to get 3.5 L V6. Mileage is unreal, high that is around 35 plus on real X-Way driving.

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  I just love my new Malibu! - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Jamiesue26 - July 21 - 2:00 am

  The car dealer was wonderful and very informative. The car handles well and is so quiet... it is a dream to drive, especially in Miami traffic!

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  Fun 4 Door 4WD - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Mongo1939 - July 21 - 2:00 am

  Purchased the model without the plastic brush guards. Very comfortable to drive and versitle in its uses. Added options, DVD player and Nerf Bars, plus purchased a bed slide for the cargo area. Great vehicle!!