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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  Outstanding - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By paul krupp - August 5 - 2:00 am

  19,500 miles not one trip to the dealer for anything beside routine maint. very pleased with the 5.3L. we tow a 2 horse trailer as well as farm equipment with no problems. Tow haul mode works well. Z71 pkg with 17 inch tires push this truck through the mud / snow with the posi hooking up quickly. I have played hard with this truck and have not buried it once. Best two tank average towing, with 6 people. 14 mpg, best two tank average 6 passengers no towing 18mpg. the Z71 pkg is a stiffer ride than regular but that is what i ordered. Fit and paint look great. I/P is laid out well, auto fwd engages very fast once initial wheel spin is observed.

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  Like a Roc-- Mashmallow - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Liza Coronel - August 5 - 2:00 am

  Uhhhh, great truck but it has a fatal flaw. A deal killer. Reason enough to check out the competition. In spite of many wonderful features as reported here before the Autoride makes this thing handle like it has a marshmallow suspension. It wobbles and wiggles like a hula dancer. GM says it is "normal" I call it "unacceptable".

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  Z71 Sub is not a flub - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By jharper99 - August 5 - 2:00 am

  Bought this in October of 2003 and as of August of 2004 had very good luck with this vehicle, it pulls trailers without any problem, goes down the road offering a great ride and has tons of storage with the back seat folded down. Engine has been noise free unlike the 2000 Silverado that I had previously with the 6 liter that sounded like it was going to fall apart every time I cold started it. All in all a great vehicle that Im totally pleased with, could be better but then again what couldnt be?

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  Good to Go!!!!!! - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By paul krupp - August 5 - 2:00 am

  with only 2000 miles I am already very pleased at my choice. The ride is very nice with the 16" eagles. and the series 2 3.8 litre really scoots. seating front and back is very nice with excellent lumbar support w/o being to stiff. I have the sport appearance package several people have commented on the tastefully done inlaid impala logo in the door panels as well as the exterior back light treatment. My car is silver, the Paint is flawless, the fit and finish is very good with uniform gaps front to back and side to side. Door closing effort is uniform and solid. I chose this car over a chrysler.

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  THIS IS A NICE SUV BUT..... - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By OUTCOLD - August 5 - 2:00 am

  This suv is nice I jus bought it in July but unfortunately because of a poor customer service event in buying the suv I am trading it in for a Chrysler Pacifica. This gas mileage sucks worst than expected. The dealership experience was the worst I have ever encountered. They wouldnt give me a full tank of gas when I bought the darn thing! Its a 40,000 dollar vehicle and I cant even get a gas card.

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  Great Performance for Small SUV - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Wolverine - August 4 - 8:23 am

  Did a lot of research, loved the look of exterior on new Equinox. Drove it and loved it. Has power when you want it, enough to pass others on highway. Good mileage on highway- very mediocre in city driving. Love the look of the inside, very ergonomic. My wife (50") hates the front passenger seat, claims its uncomfortable on her hips- not sure if thats a height thing. Overall a wonderful small suv.

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  metro - 1999 Chevrolet Metro
  By pat68 - August 4 - 2:00 am

  good reliability , except a/c leak excellent fuel economy, good performance, very cute car

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  quality machine - 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By j.anderson - August 4 - 2:00 am

  A very functional SUV. Never had any serious problems over 6 years. Very roomy interior and great interstate vehichle.

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  2nd best car I have ever owned - 1994 Chevrolet Corvette
  By e Mccoy - August 4 - 2:00 am

  I had a 1991 Corvette and it was the worst car I had ever owned. I was going to never drive another vette again and this one came along. New on the show room. It has been great. I have driven it in every state over every kind of road and just love it. It has 182000 miles with no trouble.

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  I hate this SUV - 1999 Chevrolet Blazer
  By jenski - August 4 - 2:00 am

  I cannot tell you how much money I have spent in the 2 1/2 years that I have owned this vehicle. I have been through at least 6 sets of breaks/bearings and rotars. The motor blew up and the 4 wheel drive has not worked properly since that time. I cannot stress enough, do not buy a Blazer!!!