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 Blaze - 1994 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Abe - December 18 - 5:03 pm

  Having owned a 1978 K5 2 door in my teens, when it came time to upsize (from a 99 ZR2), I knew what I wanted. I chose the last year of the 2 door Blazer. I found a maroon/grey Sport with the "floor shift" 4X4 and the 350 V8. All in all, I LOVE it. After buying it I realized it was lacking in the "up-and-go" dept, but it had plenty of torque for pulling my 203500lb boat. So, I added a K&N FIPK Gen II, upgraded the plugs and wires, and installed a Flowmaster with a 3" single outlet. None of that made a huge difference untill I changed the fuel filter. Now the Blaze moves like no other 3000lb beast. Im already saving for a new motor and tranny when needed.

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  Sound SUV150 - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By louis - December 18 - 1:54 pm

  After driving a Chevy Blazer for fifteen yrs GM has a hit with the Trailblazer . Gas mileage on the second tank of gas was 19.44 mpg that was with the fourwheel drive used for about 100 miles and a combo of city and hwy driving . I expect more when strictly hwy. The four wheel drive system is nice and when activated hardly notice it shifting in four wheel. I drive in Colorado and felt very good and safe on the snow and ice . Had a hard time making the wheels slip when in four wheel drive evan in ice packed corners. Down side, an air leak at door seal that is annoying, will take to dealer to fix

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  Best Ever - 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Chevrolet is Great - December 18 - 11:50 am

  Ever since I got this truck it has been put through the ringer and met or exceeded my expectations (mostly exceeded). I have taken this truck offroading, drove it on the highway and nomatter where it has been it has never let me down. Gets better fuel economy than 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 6.0L with active fuel management. Has out ran people with bigger engines in races.

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  Chevrolet Uplander the classy van - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
  By sejecc - December 18 - 7:23 am

  Driving this vehicle is just like driving an SUV. Never in my life would I have bought a minivan, had this one not have been on the market. This will give the average soccer mom more class, and more of a sporty feel. I recommend it to anyone.

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  Love it, but try to find a parking spot. - 2006 Chevrolet Express
  By Jennifer - December 18 - 1:26 am

  I love my 2006 Chevy Express! My only complaint is that I can hardly ever find a parking spot for it. Its very long, and seems much wider than my other cars have ever been. (Suburbans)

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  Awesome - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Joe - December 18 - 12:28 am

  Ive only had the Trailblazer for about a month, but its great compared to what weve had in the past. The only complaint is the fuel economy on this SUV. Excellent vehicle for the family all in all though.

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  Suburban - 1999 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Chad - December 17 - 11:44 pm

  Outstanding durability and handles great. Plenty of room for tools, materials, people, whatever you decide to haul.

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  Great car - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By MO - December 17 - 11:35 pm

  Thus far, the Mailbu LT has been a reliable car, making frequent trips up and down the coast of California, and the computer system has been essential in knowing the condition of the engine and the history of the car.

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  I love my Metro all grown up!! - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By John McCommas - December 17 - 11:14 pm

  I fell in love with this car and I knew I had to have it as soon as I saw it. It reminds me so much of my little blue Metro that I bought in 1994. Those engines in those cars did stink when they got old but they were so much fun to drive. Great on gas too. I have a few beefs though about the Aveo. I dont think the blue was sharp enough. I hated the pastel blue and the other blue just did not pop. So I got the red which does pop. The other thing is I got an automatic and I find it does not shift right a lot of times. It is stuck in a lower gear and you have to pump the gas a little to get the gears to move so the ride is smooth again.

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  I love my truck! - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Eli - December 17 - 6:09 pm

  I always loved the style of Avalanche, and made it a goal to own one. Well, I finally own one and love love love it! I had a 95 Nissan Pathfinder before, and it was ok, but this is the most comfortable ride ever. It was worth every penny. Maintainance is a little pricey, but so is everything for the new vehicles. Chevy warranties are pretty good too.