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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  Happy when it works - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By just dont break - November 30 - 9:57 pm

  I really enjoy driving it when it is not having problems. It is a company car that gets every dealership recommended service and oil changes at 3K miles however, there have been several recalls, transmission failure at 38K miles, 4wd went out, electrical issues that impacted tail light, air conditioning and rear wiper, horrible noise when turning sharply in 4wd that had to be fixed, parking break stopped working. Though I enjoy driving it, I am reluctant to buy another one for fear of spending several times a year at the dealership.

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  SUV - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By TARAH - November 30 - 9:52 pm

  I use my Trailblazer primarily for my business. Its great driving and easy to get around. I went smaller with the Trailblazer from a Dodge Ram. Its gas intake is easier on the pocketbook.

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  g ms junk - 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By jim j - November 30 - 6:48 pm

  Tailgate shows open when closed. Dealer has had it 3 times. Not fixed. Certified letter went to gm a few days ago. No answer yet. When car is shut off after heating up, the shield above the muffler BANGS for several minutes after. Dealer 3 times, not fixed. Signal seeker radio only stops on 1/2 of the stations available. Dealer 3 times, not fixed. No control of lights when opening doors without them coming on. I like control. NO door, except drivers, can be opened with key. Drivers seat back cannot be tilted when back seat is down. Poor gas mileage. My Cadillac get twice as good mileage as tahoe.

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  Stay out of the wind - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By rhendryx - November 30 - 5:31 pm

  I bought the 2004 Cavalier strictly as an economical "drive to work" car. I liked the low price with the rebates and the looks arent bad. However, when on the highway if there is any cross wind you cant keep it on the road. It will change lanes by itself if you dont pay close attention. Also, what 1950s design engineer came up with the bright idea of using a cartridge oil filter instead of the spin on type? I can see why the 2005 model is the last year for Cavalier.

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  Best Bang for the Buck - 1994 Chevrolet Camaro
  By sdtresa - November 30 - 4:43 pm

  If you want performance for your dollar this is it. Performs as well as cars costing twice as much. It doesnt pretend to be luxury in any way, its purpose built.

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  Too bad they dont make em anymore - 2000 Chevrolet Prizm
  By cover - November 30 - 4:08 pm

  This is a great small car. It features good design, fine build quality, spunky performance w/ 5 speed, great mileage and reliability, plus decent space and comfort. Handling is good and improves remarkably when you get rid of the OEM tires and put on a set of good ones.

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  great Car for first car - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By GEMINIXX02 - November 30 - 12:20 pm

  I bought this car after looking for a couple of weeks at competing dealerships. The price was right and the value has proven well worth it.. If very rarely takes me more than $20 to fill it up and it last for a little over a week including the 40 miles i drive back and forth to work.

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  Bad, bad Car - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By aresma - November 30 - 11:59 am

  Where do I start? I bought the car back in Apr 04 and nothing more than problems. The engine was originally very quiet and now is worst every day sounding like an old VW. I have taken the car to the dealer at least 10 times due to problems with strange noises in the Steering wheel drive and the suspension, the problem has been fixed and the car working normally for a week.

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  Disappointed for many reasons - 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By mw - November 30 - 11:30 am

  This was my first brand new car ever! and I have some doubts if I will ever buy a Chevy product again. At 6000 miles the belts had to be replaced. At 12000 miles the steering shaft cracked and had to be replaced. by 16000 miles the water pump along with rotors/calipers had to be replaced. Around 22,000 miles it was the rotors again. 28,000 miles it was rotors/calipers and the A.B.S modules again. The car has 40,000 miles on it and rotors again. i live in chicago and im sure some it has to be city driving, but i really dont abuse this car at all. The interior design has improved over the previous model but mechanical it much worse.

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  so far so good - 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By marksricker - November 30 - 9:00 am

  Very nice truck for the money. The 4x4 is a "real" 4x4 not some flick a switch and hope it works deal Good MPG as well Over 21 MPG average with the V 6