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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  Luv My Chevy - 2001 Chevrolet Malibu
  By ChevyLUV - October 19 - 2:00 am

  Had My 2001 Malibu over a year drive it everyday and drive it hard.This car has all the power you could ever ask for in a four door sedan.Very reliable no issues so far,only regular maintainence,runs like a top.After reading the break vibration probblems I have noticed mine do seem alittle week sometimes.All and all very satisfied

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  Dans Blazer - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By dancox1 - October 19 - 2:00 am

  I have had my Blazer for 2 1/2 years and love it. Gas mileage is not the greatest but I dont drive a lot. So I really dont spend that much on gas. This Blazer has the ZR2 package which is really nice.

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  Im in Love - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By j prater - October 19 - 2:00 am

  This is my second Avalanche. I bought and 02 with a cloth interior--it didnt do well with my Jack Russell Terrier who sheds madly. After he made a trip thru it, it took 3 hours to get the hair out of the fabric. I traded it 8 months later with 14K miles on it. Never a minutes trouble--we loved it enough to do it again.

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  THE BEST CHEVY I HAVE EVERY DRIVEN - 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By 55 CHEVY MAN - October 19 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned vettes and IROCS. This LS2 is primo. Im 53,and an SS is just a little too much for me. WOW!,what the acceleration, and excitment must be.

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  the best - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By ilya - October 19 - 2:00 am

  this is the best car ever it is comfortable there are so many good words to describe this car.

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  Love it! - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Debbie68 - October 19 - 2:00 am

  I have only had this vehicle a little over a month and am loving it. I traded in a 1997 S-10 Blazer that I had for over 6 years so this feels like a luxury car.

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  Great SUV - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By mulletsrock - October 19 - 2:00 am

  This SUV offers a smooth and quite ride and great fuel economy.

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  Good Truce - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By RalphB - October 19 - 2:00 am

  This is a great truck..I am over 6ft tall and for a standard cab it has more room than Toyota.

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  Best of Many worlds - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By 1st purchased car - October 18 - 2:36 pm

  I spent over a year researching vehicles of different types before I decided on my first self-purchased vehicle. I needed something to haul horses and yet something I take clients out in, but for a reasonable 1st purchased car price. I have not been dissapointed. This truck is powerful and poised yet comfortable and with the wood grain and leather it is stately appointed. It includes many premium features that I did not expect to afford. I like the 20 inch wheels for presence and the Bose stereo system soothes after a long day. I have the Nav for direction. It has gotten me through Michigan early spring weather admirably and I have all the options of safety.

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  Has everything but fuel economy - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By owner - October 18 - 10:00 am

  Trailblazer is a great SUV with a good list of standard features. We like that it sits up high just like the more truck like Tahoe, but the TB handles more like a car. We have the optional sun and sound package. With the sunroof, a bit more headroom would be nice