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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  Piece of junk - 1996 Chevrolet S-10
  By ptlytch07 - September 20 - 4:04 pm

  I purchased this truck with about 80,000 miles on it from a private seller. I only kept the vehicle for 6 months because it was constantly having problems. A/C went out, transmission had to be repaired, radiator had to be replaced, etc. Of course, none of the repairs were cheap or simple. I finally got all the bugs out and got rid of it before something else could go wrong. I wouldnt buy another one of these if I had to. I would rather walk! Piece of junk!

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  Ugly Duckling Turns Out to be Swan - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By jwoodie - September 20 - 10:20 am

  Too bad GM made this quintessential wagon so ugly on the outside (typical of their afterthought stretch versions) and has now decided to kill it. This vehicle does everything in great comfort and reasonable economy (14-18 with V8 4wd 3.73 axle). I have The North Face edition with two-tone paint (looks much better). Dont worry about wind noise from roof rack- just move back front crossbar (like it says in the owners manual). This ones a keeper!

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  Good vehicle - 2000 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Wayne Louisiana - September 20 - 10:00 am

  I am very happy with this car. Fast for a V6. I bougtht it from a little old lady w/9000mi.4/02in So. California that wanted a new car. I flew there to buy it and drove it back to Louisiana. I have 38,000 on it now. I have had a stupid rattle behing the glove box that no mechanic at Best Chevrolet in Kenner,La. can find. Never have a car fixed there !!!! It gets better gas mi. than my wifes 2003 Mazda 626. Never buy that car !!!!! I will buy a new one next body style.

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  2003 Avalanche WBH is where its at! - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By rxpepper - September 20 - 10:00 am

  The sleek new look of the 2003 without body hardware Avalanche model, is a great improvement over past cladded models. All leather seats w/8 way adjust plus heat and air lumber support turns truck into luxury. In dash 6 disc CD player w/ Bose audio plus dual temp control and steering wheel mounted controls give you so many options (such as...auto side rear view mirror tilt for parkingand much more).

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  The Greatest Vehicle Built - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Dale Schaub - September 20 - 10:00 am

  There have been no problems with this vehicle and I have had two other new vehicles in the last four years and I know problem vehicles. I have 32,000 miles on the vehicle and have never had to take the vehicle to the dealer except for oil changes. Great vehicle. I recommend this vehicle to anyone that likes the looks and the sportlyness and likes to hunt and camp. The vehicle is great for hunting and for taking clients out. I will be buying the 2004.

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  My work truck - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Torjaq - September 20 - 10:00 am

  It is ready to work at all times and all types of conditions.

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  Very friendly=== - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By Bobwar - September 20 - 10:00 am

  Excelelnt handler . Have made many road trips and have yet to get less than 33 mpg-and that is driving at 75-80 mph. To go 500 - 600 on a tank of gas is awesome. Very smooth on the road,keep your radio turned up or this car will putyou to sleep.

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  URBAN LEGEND - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By gholtz - September 20 - 10:00 am

  FOR THE PRICE, THIS IS AN EXCELLENT SUV. THE NEW QUALITY IMPROVEMENTS ARE NOTEWORTHY. MOST OF ALL, THE POWERFUL INLINE 6CYL AND MULTI-STAGE TORQUE FUNCTIONS MAKE THE POWER AND TORQUE PERFORMANCE SECOND TO NONE. THE HANDLING AND RIDE CHARACTERISTICS ARE EXCELLENT. WHY THIS VEHICLE IS SO UNDER-RATED IS A MYSTERY TO ME. THIS SUV ROCKS.

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  Phoenix SS - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Lee2 - September 20 - 10:00 am

  I think this vehicle is light years better than my old 1999 stock 1500 Silverado. Except for the ride (which is very truck like) it handles very well. Almost European car like. It has lots of power but I dont understand GMs reasoning behind not offering a supercharger (at the very least, an option). This is, afterall, an SS. When you water down the name you hurt the image.

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  So far so good - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Howard - September 20 - 6:20 am

  This is a wonderful car since I had a few GM vehicles. But I had some experience about this brand new version; when I got this car first day back, I had a problem with the infotainment screen that was totally blank out, I have to take to the closer dealer for repair; second problem it was an engine stalling out on the road (within 400 miles in odometer), the dealer had to replace some engine part on it. After 2 times back to dealer, this car is running great till now.