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Cars · Top 10

Best Chevrolet Caprice Model Years (Ranked) in 2027

By Kory White · Updated Oct 2026 · 4 min read
1994-1996 Chevrolet Caprice Classic LT1
Direct answer

The 1994-1996 Chevrolet Caprice Classic LT1 is the best Caprice model year, with the 1994-1996 9C1 Police car at #2 and the 1991 Caprice Classic, Motor Trend’s Domestic Car of the Year, at #3. The LT1 V8 makes 260 hp and 330 lb-ft.

At a glance

#PickYearsBest for
11994-1996 Chevrolet Caprice Classic LT11994-1996The best-driving Caprice you can buy
21994-1996 Chevrolet Caprice 9C1 Police (LT1)1994-1996Ex-police toughness and LT1 speed
31991 Chevrolet Caprice Classic1991 (fourth generation launched April 1990)The award-winning first year of the “bubble” Caprice
41977-1979 Chevrolet Caprice Classic1977-1979A classic that drives smaller than it looks
51965-1970 Chevrolet Caprice1965-1970The original 1960s luxury Chevy
61971-1976 Chevrolet Caprice1971-1976Peak land-yacht size and the 454 V8
72011-2017 Chevrolet Caprice PPV2011-2017A modern rear-drive V8 sedan, ex-police
81989-1990 Chevrolet Caprice1989-1990A simple, fuel-injected boxy Caprice
91980-1985 Chevrolet Caprice Classic1980-1985An affordable boxy classic
101971-1976 Chevrolet Kingswood / Caprice Estate Wagon1971-1976The ultimate 1970s family wagon

Pick by what you want

Best overall
1994-1996 Chevrolet Caprice Classic LT1
Best performance
1994-1996 Chevrolet Caprice 9C1 Police (LT1)
Best classic
1977-1979 Chevrolet Caprice Classic
Most collectible
1965-1970 Chevrolet Caprice
Best wagon
1971-1976 Chevrolet Kingswood / Caprice Estate Wagon

The ranking

1

1994-1996 Chevrolet Caprice Classic LT1

1994-1996 Chevrolet Caprice Classic LT1
Photo: MercurySable99 / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe Caprice to own.
Years: 1994-1996Engine: LT1 5.7 L V8 from the Corvette, detuned by 40 hp: 260 hp and 330 lb-ftEnd of the line: Production stopped in December 1996

The 1994-1996 Caprice Classic got a detuned Corvette LT1 5.7 L V8 with 260 hp and 330 lb-ft; production ended in December 1996.

Go ifThe best-driving Caprice you can buy
Skip ifYou want 1970s chrome and style
Why #1 over #2: It has the same LT1 as the 9C1 with a civilian interior.
2

1994-1996 Chevrolet Caprice 9C1 Police (LT1)

1994-1996 Chevrolet Caprice 9C1 Police (LT1)
Photo: USCP / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe cult police car.
Years: 1994-1996Engine: Optional LT1 5.7 L V8 (260 hp)Reputation: One of the quickest and most popular modern police vehicles

The 1994-1996 9C1 police Caprice with the optional LT1 became one of the quickest and most popular modern police vehicles.

Go ifEx-police toughness and LT1 speed
Skip ifYou want a plush interior
Why #2 over #3: Its 260 hp LT1 beats the 1991 Caprice’s carry-over engines.
3

1991 Chevrolet Caprice Classic

1991 Chevrolet Caprice Classic
Photo: MercurySable99 / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe award winner.
Years: 1991 (fourth generation launched April 1990)Award: Motor Trend’s 1991 Domestic Car of the YearDesign: Rounded, more aerodynamic sheetmetal replaced the boxy styling

The 1991 Caprice Classic launched the rounded fourth generation and was Motor Trend’s 1991 Domestic Car of the Year.

Go ifThe award-winning first year of the “bubble” Caprice
Skip ifYou want the LT1 (1994-1996 only)
Why #3 over #4: Its modern chassis beats the 1977-1979 cars for daily driving.
4

1977-1979 Chevrolet Caprice Classic

1977-1979 Chevrolet Caprice Classic
Photo: Rutger van der Maar / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe best-selling classic.
Years: 1977-1979Downsizing: Drastically downsized for 1977 with more headroom, rear legroom and trunk spaceSales: The 1977 full-size Chevrolet was the best-selling car in the US; more than 660,000 were built for 1977

The downsized 1977 Caprice Classic gained headroom, rear legroom and trunk space; the 1977 full-size Chevrolet was the best-selling car in the US, with more than 660,000 built.

Go ifA classic that drives smaller than it looks
Skip ifYou want big-block power
Why #4 over #5: Its downsized, easier-to-drive body beats the 1965-1970 cars for regular use.
5

1965-1970 Chevrolet Caprice

1965-1970 Chevrolet Caprice
Photo: GPS 56 from New Zealand / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe original.
Years: 1965-1970Original price: 1965 Caprice Custom Sedan package: US$200 on a US$2,742 Impala four-door hardtopMilestone: A 1967 Caprice coupe was GM’s 100 millionth car built in the US

The 1965 Caprice began as a US$200 Custom Sedan package on a US$2,742 Impala, and a 1967 Caprice coupe was GM’s 100 millionth US-built car.

Go ifThe original 1960s luxury Chevy
Skip ifYou want modern brakes
Why #5 over #6: Its status as the original Caprice beats the 1971-1976 cars for collectors.
6

1971-1976 Chevrolet Caprice

1971-1976 Chevrolet Caprice
Photo: User Morven on en.wikipedia / CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe biggest Caprice.
Years: 1971-1976Size: Redesigned on a 121.5-inch wheelbase; a 1976 weighed about 4,314 lbTop engine: 1971: 454 Turbo Jet V8, 365 hp gross (285 hp net)

The 1971-1976 Caprice grew to a 121.5-inch wheelbase, with up to a 454 V8 rated 365 hp gross (285 hp net) in 1971; a 1976 weighed about 4,314 lb.

Go ifPeak land-yacht size and the 454 V8
Skip ifYou need good fuel economy
Why #6 over #7: Its 454 V8 gives it more classic presence than the modern PPV.
7

2011-2017 Chevrolet Caprice PPV

2011-2017 Chevrolet Caprice PPV
Photo: steve lyon from yosemite, ca, usa / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe modern Caprice.
Years: 2011-2017Engine: 6.0 L L77 V8 or 3.6 L V6, both E85-capableBuilt by: Holden in Australia; the last one was built May 18, 2017Reception: Perfect scores in a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department assessment

The 2011-2017 Caprice PPV was built by Holden in Australia with a 6.0 L V8 or 3.6 L V6 and earned perfect scores in a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department assessment.

Go ifA modern rear-drive V8 sedan, ex-police
Skip ifYou want a civilian trim (sold to police in the US)
Why #7 over #8: Its modern V8 chassis beats the 1989-1990 Caprice’s 170 hp.
8

1989-1990 Chevrolet Caprice

1989-1990 Chevrolet Caprice
Photo: Elise240SX / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe best boxy Caprice.
Years: 1989-1990Engine: First fuel-injected V8: 305 cu in TBI, 170 hp and 255 lb-ftEnd of generation: 1990 was the last year for this body style

The 1989-1990 Caprice got the first fuel-injected V8, a 305 TBI rated at 170 hp and 255 lb-ft.

Go ifA simple, fuel-injected boxy Caprice
Skip ifYou want the 1991 redesign
Why #8 over #9: Its fuel-injected V8 beats the 1980-1985 cars’ carbureted engines.
9

1980-1985 Chevrolet Caprice Classic

1980-1985 Chevrolet Caprice Classic
Photo: Niels de Wit from Lunteren, The Netherlands / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe budget classic.
Years: 1980-1985Update: First major revision since 1977, cutting weight and improving aerodynamics1985 engine: 4.3 L V6 with throttle-body injection, 130 hp

The 1980-1985 Caprice Classic was the first major revision since 1977; by 1985 the base 4.3 L V6 made 130 hp.

Go ifAn affordable boxy classic
Skip ifYou want V8 power as standard
Why #9 over #10: Its sedan is easier to find and drive than the giant 1971-1976 wagon.
10

1971-1976 Chevrolet Kingswood / Caprice Estate Wagon

1971-1976 Chevrolet Kingswood / Caprice Estate Wagon
Photo: Can Pac Swire from Toronto, Canada / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe clamshell wagon.
Years: 1971-1976Tailgate: Clamshell “Glide-away” tailgate that disappeared from viewSize: Unique 125-inch wheelbase, larger than ever

The 1971-1976 Kingswood and Caprice Estate wagons rode a unique 125-inch wheelbase with the clamshell Glide-away tailgate.

Go ifThe ultimate 1970s family wagon
Skip ifYou need to park in the city

How we ranked these

We ranked each model year on what it means to a buyer today: performance, awards, history and collectibility. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.

Questions people ask

What is the best Chevrolet Caprice year?

The 1994-1996 Caprice Classic with the LT1 5.7 L V8, rated at 260 hp and 330 lb-ft.

When did Chevrolet stop making the Caprice?

US Caprice production stopped in December 1996; a Holden-built Caprice PPV was sold to US police from 2011 to 2017.

Did the Caprice win Car of the Year?

Yes. The 1991 Caprice Classic was Motor Trend’s 1991 Domestic Car of the Year.

How much did the first Caprice cost?

In 1965 the Caprice Custom Sedan package added US$200 to a US$2,742 Impala four-door hardtop.

Horsepower (as published) at a glance

1980-1985 Chevrolet Caprice Classic130 hp
1989-1990 Chevrolet Caprice170 hp
1994-1996 Chevrolet Caprice Classic LT1260 hp
1971-1976 Chevrolet Caprice285 hp
Horsepower (as published), as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.

Official sites

Prices, specs and availability change; confirm on the official site before you buy.