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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  2004 chevy aveo - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By debra stover - July 22 - 10:00 am

  I have had this car for only 2 weeks and have 120 miles on it, but I fully enjoy it. Ive owned plenty of cars to compare it to and I tell you, this car is a great city car and fun to drive. It takes corners tightly and is very roomy inside with plenty of window area and head and leg room. I have an automatic, so the take off is a little sluggish, but I didnt buy it expecting nor caring about burning rubber from the stop light. I shopped economy cars and feel I got the best one made so far for the price.

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  2004 Malibu Maxx - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By pookiejobrian - July 22 - 10:00 am

  Leased 04 reasonable terms & pricing. Choose this vehicle for mileage rating & cargo space needed for work purposes. It has delivered both. I have been able to haul up two 8 foot ladders, and all necessary paint supplies that I normally would have used my conversion van for. The car averages 26.4 miles a gallon, combined city & hwy driving. All seats have ample leg room, the rear seats recline. There are plenty of extra feature options available. I have enjoyed my remote sunroof, remote starter, rear seat has stereo entertain center, w adapters for a portable cd or dvd player. Cons: car sits very low to ground, pass rv mirror is convex distorts view

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  Good Purchase - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Vulcanrider01 - July 22 - 10:00 am

  Aggresive styling makes the new Chevy Colorado a perfect purchase for the midsize truck consumer. It is simply laid out for ease and functionality. I deffinately like the Crew Cab Z71 for a daily driver.

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  colorado compared to s-10 - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By jhffkj - July 22 - 10:00 am

  The colorado is an excellant truck. i owned a 2001 s-10 before and i couldnt fit into it anymore, and the 4 cylander engine had no power. if the a/c was on forget about going anywhere fast. the colorado has fixed all the s-10s problems and improved on the good too. i would definately buy another one.

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  love my truck - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By katrin0822 - July 22 - 10:00 am

  I love my truck! The steering is so easy. The truck moves at my slighest command. The seating is extremely comfortable. All of the inside controls are within easy reach.

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  tblazer - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By astro - July 22 - 10:00 am

  GOOD BUY FOR THE MONEY ESPECIALY WITH MY GM DISCOUNT AND REBATES!

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  Owner - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By David Hoyle - July 22 - 10:00 am

  An excellant Suv..Have enjoyed it vey much..View is very good..Gas mileage is great..lots of room..Performance on the road is great

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  possible - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By bochii - July 22 - 10:00 am

  Great suv. I sugguest for the price it is reasonable. It ranks as a suv with real power. among the buick suvs and the saturn vue. I reccomend this suv to all my friends.

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  i love love this truck!! - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By pam enright - July 22 - 10:00 am

  great little truck. extremely roomy interior for tall people. rear seat makes for a great flexability with cargo. great for many different purposes you may need. would definately but again.

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  1500 LS Crew Cab - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Captain KRK - July 22 - 10:00 am

  My 4th Silverado since 99-this is the truck Ive been waiting for! There are no air leaks like EXT Cab. Once you see the room inthis truck you wont even think about suicide doors! Plenty of leftover 04s out there. I got almost $7000 in rebates AND the dealer was selling at $200 over invoice. A $36,500 truck cost me $25,500 so shop around and get the best deal for YOU! The Dodge is macho, but the back seat in their "crew" cab sucks-not much bigger than my Chevy EXT Cab and much more upright. Make sure you sit in the Dodges seat before you even think about it. F-150 Crew is nice but more $$$. The perfect alternative to the Avalanche!