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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  Irritants - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Peter Charlton (cda) - September 27 - 7:01 pm

  Pick up and ride quality are good. Interior design is adequate, but irritants are a dime a dozen. Wheres the shift selector indicator ? Buzz in the fan at 1? Wind noise at 80 kmh left hand side in mirror ? And on and on. GM engineers missed the boat on the interior ergonomics. Even the Koreans have a much more ergonomic interior. The seats are uncomfortable on long hauls. Steering wheel belongs on an 18 wheeler. No hand grips at 3 passenger doors. No manual control of dash lights. That stupid light sensor should be shot.

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  Great Vehicle - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Brandon - September 27 - 4:16 pm

  This is my first SUV, and now that I have my first child, I think I made a wise decision. Its a very comfortable ride. I wasnt sure what it would be like with an SUV, but the mileage isnt nearly as bad as I thought, and I have all the gadgets I could want! DVD Navigation, OnStar, Heated Seats, Sunroof....etc.

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  2005 Trailblazer 4wd - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By RO - September 27 - 2:19 pm

  Bought a 2005 Trailblazer used with 20k miles on it. My wife mostly drives it. We absolutely love it. I love the Inline 6 it has plenty of power to pull my motorcycle trailer with 2 motorcycles. We have taken it on several trips and it is very comfortable. I replaced the factory stereo with an aftermarket unit as the factory radio is not the best. That would probably be my only complaint. One other complaint I suppose would be the oil filter location. I am a DIY kinda guy and do my own oil changes. The filter is a real pain to get to. Other than that I love this SUV. And the factory tires are not the best.

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  Nice Fun vehicle - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By gsize19 - September 27 - 11:07 am

  So the wife is looking for a vehicle, wanted a Hyundai Sante Fe, I went to the dealership the day before and told the salesman, I guarantee when she sees he HHR, she will want this, as I am a Chevy man. Took the Hyundai for a spin, she was ready to sign, I told her, lets look at the HHR. I had not even started the engine yet, and she wanted this vehicle. Comfortable, all the goodies, roomy for passengers, just an all around great vehicle. I wish it came in a 6 cylinder, but thats neither here nor there. Seems to be a very reliable automobile that is comfortable and attracts a lot of attention in the Southern Ohio area. You dont see many here, but I have had many say they like it.

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  Malibu 04 - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By stock - September 27 - 2:00 am

  The best car I have ever bought.

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  rave for maxx - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By nj scribe - September 27 - 2:00 am

  Since I keep a car for 10-plus years I am a hard sell. Something new must be way better. The Maxx fills the bill at a (relatively) bargain price. The amount of passenger and cargo room, the level of comfort, and the high-tech features such as remote starting, satellite (xm) radio, on star communications, heated seats, and convertible seats (passenger to work table surface, rear to cargo area. etc.) make this unique vehicle more than worth the 28k price.

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  Happy go lucky - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Donna Gunman - September 27 - 2:00 am

  I love this car. I cannot believe that people still blindly flock to CVamry and Accord. This car is no Corvette or BMW. But it is a dream to drive. Although the styling is cute, I would like to see the new malibu to get a classier and sportier look.

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  1999 Silverado - 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By erratic29 - September 27 - 2:00 am

  Had to repair transmission @ 60,000 miles ($1900), ABS system went kaput about the same time (est. $1,000 repair); have since found that this is a common problem that Chevy will not own up to. In spite of all these problems, I still like the truck. Its comfortable driving and fairly luxurious for a truck.

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  13000 miles of bliss - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Captain - September 27 - 2:00 am

  Engine is unbelievably smooth. Power seems endless throughout the RPM range. Rides smooth as silk. Wish we would have opted for the DVD player, too bad you cannot get DVD AND sunroof. I am 63", my wife is nearly 6. Neither of us have trouble getting comfortable in any of the seats (including 3rd row). Overall this is the most pleasant and comfortable vehicle we have owned.

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  Compared several - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By t.jones - September 27 - 2:00 am

  Having researched numerous SUVs in the midsize range, and test driving several (over a 1 year period), I finally concluded that the Trailblazer was the best fit for my needs. Not too big, not too small, not to pricey -- just right.