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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  Going broke - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Going broke - July 31 - 10:00 am

  Nice looking, comfortable and quite with plenty of power. I now have 3300 mi. and still waiting for the engine to break in so the fuel mileage improves, according to dealer. I get about 13 mpg in city. With such a small gas tank, Im on first name basis with all the people at the gas stations. The Tblazer also has sensitive steering, scarey at times. Also lots of defects in the sheet medal.

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  Astro AWD - 1995 Chevrolet Astro
  By Cadyman - July 31 - 2:00 am

  4.3 engine basically "bullet Proof", good automatic, AWD "sucks" gas. compared with two wheel drive about 5mpg differnce.

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  best car ever - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By suburbanlover - July 31 - 2:00 am

  excellent car, fits all your kids and their friends, plus a powerfull engine, leather seating and double a/C

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  Fun And Functional - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By J. Nichols - July 31 - 2:00 am

  This is my second Chev Avalance! What an excellent vehicle that is fun to drive and functional too! Every week I drive over mountain passes, rain,snow sleat, hail or sun.... the Avalanche gets it done. I also drive 30 to 50,000 miles a year and must add that it a very comfortable vehicle to drive too!

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  accident - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By amviolinst07 - July 31 - 2:00 am

  Driving on a simi busy street would be nothing with this vechile right? Well I got into an accident with this vehicle.. with a saturn car.. my car was totalled and the saturn only had a small dent in the side! I was turning at a light and the saturn ran the red light which then hit me.. i was on my way to pick up my baby thank god he wasnt in there with me!!

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  fun car - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By purplechicken - July 31 - 2:00 am

  Excellent HP,Need to have the KN air filter system which does bring up the Performance.Overall very good buy and is fun to drive.

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  CHEVY LEMON - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By SOTT SIMPSON - July 31 - 2:00 am

  BEEN IN THE SHOP 20 TIMES IN 3 YEARS, MOST RECENTLY TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP @ 54000. I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER GM PRODUCT.

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  Unhappy in Minnesota - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Unhappy in Minnesota - July 31 - 2:00 am

  I wish I could get all my money back and start over! My first experience with a Chevrolet product has not been a good one. The Trailblazer (TB) has been in every 1000 miles or less for a front differential leak (3 times). I am experiencing what appears to be a transmission problem. I have had very minor problems with new vehicles, but nothing as serious as the TB. For the price, Chevrolet should really have more standard bells and whistles. The dealer is great, but the product leaves much to be desired. Sure hope Chevrolet can make me change my feelings. My TB has gotten to be the joke around work.

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  Love the SUV - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By RonC - July 31 - 2:00 am

  The only problem is that it really rides like a truck compared to the Trailblazer I traded in.

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  2002, 2004 Impala LSs, husband, wife cars - 2000 Chevrolet Impala
  By Dale Riggenbach - July 31 - 12:30 am

  Dreadful Edmonds? How untrue, I traded my wifes 2004 for a 2010 Ford Taurus SEL, what a Mistake!!!!!-lasted 10 months traded it. No driver legroom, blind spots, Too Big console, bad ergonomics!!! As for the Impalas, 2004 only normal maintenance: Oil changes, tranny fluid at 55K, tires, traded it at 65K miles. 2002 Impala, oil changes, tranny fluid x 2, lubed intermediate shaft-steering, computer for car, tune ups, tires sold at 138k for neighbors daughter. I found with regular maintenance, normal driving these cars last a long time. Solid car with an excellent engine, 3800, good ride, quiet depending on tires, solid performer, and very good on gas. Gas mileage, 18-20 city, 28-30 highway. Traded the lousy Ford for a 2011Buick Lucerne CXL, replaced 2002 with a 2014 Chevy Impala. I normally dont comment on forums, but looking for my daughter a car found a 2000 Impala LS, checked Edmunds for their review, and had to say something. In conclusion, I certainly dont agree with Edmonds on this one!!!