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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  the best value - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Labs - July 28 - 2:00 am

  awsome handling, great gas milage. very fun to race

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  my cavalier - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By ladymystikal79 - July 28 - 2:00 am

  I GOT A CAVALIER BECAUSE THEY LOOK GOOD AND THE PRICE IS NICE..WHAT I DIDNT KNOW WAS THEY HAVE HIGH INSURANCE AND IF U HIT SOMETHING (A DEER) U USUALLY TOTAL IT....BUT MY CAR RUNS REALLY GOOD AND HANDELS REALLY NICE JUST BE CAREFULL!!

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  4 cylinder sucks - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Queen B - July 28 - 2:00 am

  I replaced 5 head gaskets and 3 water pumps!

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  My car - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By someone - July 28 - 2:00 am

  It is very ausome!!!

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  love my car - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By kitens - July 28 - 2:00 am

  THIS is the greatest car I have ever owned there is no better car when this one gets old I WILL be getting another one

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  My Car - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By lori burchardt - July 28 - 2:00 am

  I bought my new cavalier and I think its the greatest little car I have bought. I really love it,I have had other new cars but, this one takes the cake. it really is sporty and has a lot of get up and go for an economy car.

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  Cavalier - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Abby - July 28 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my 2003 Cavalier for almost 6 months and I have had no problems. It drives smooth and is very comfortable. There is a lot of space and it provides a nice ride.

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  SS Supercharged - 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By 2004 SS Supercharge - July 28 - 2:00 am

  This is a beautiful vehicle!

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  it has problems - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By tracy - July 28 - 2:00 am

  i brought a 2002 trailblazer brand new after having it for a month i started having electrical problems with it .it all started with tail lights blowing out and then the problem started to get worse where all running lights,brake lights and headlights went out.after bring it back to dealership 24 times within a 5 month period i filed under the lemon law and won but after paying over 30,000 for it and was only able to drive it part time because it was always back at dealer i was never able to really enjoy it they told me they know it has problems but they wont recall nothing on it because it will cost them to much money to fix the problems

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  great vehicle - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By sandy martin - July 28 - 2:00 am

  drives like a car, ample power, great in the snow