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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  FUN SSR - 2004 Chevrolet SSR
  By hotssr - May 8 - 2:00 am

  most exciting fun vechicle I,ve ever driven. I dont ever want o drive a boring car again.

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  TRACKER - 2004 Chevrolet Tracker
  By MELISSA LEDONNE - May 8 - 2:00 am

  I HAVE HAD THE CAR SINCE MARCH AND IT IS A GREAT VECHILE. IT IS GREAT ON GAS MILEAGE. THE ONLY COMPLAINT IS THE INTERIOR IS NOT AS PLUSH AS SOME OTHERS

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  Good truck - 2004 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Crashundie - May 8 - 2:00 am

  I have drivin this vehicle in the coldest temperatures on the East Coast and through some of the hottest temps. Still this truck has only been very good. I tow with it, go through heavy snow/rain, no problems at all. Only things I have had to fix after 30,000 miles is the Pinions and an oil line.

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  verry good - 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By gmangggg - May 8 - 2:00 am

  Nothing but good things to say about this well made vehicle.

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  Davids cavalire - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By David Schendel - May 8 - 2:00 am

  We went to the dealership to buy an Impala, and drove the cavaoier and loved it. We also own a 1997 cavalier. Great car, great car, and Don Ringler is a great Dealership to do bussiness with.

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  Big Bad Daddy - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By John L Selleh - May 8 - 2:00 am

  Smooth and powerful luxury. I would not trade my Chevy machine for even a ride to the moon.

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  lb45 - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Lee Bokar - May 8 - 2:00 am

  Had a tahoe, bought a yukon xl went to a H2 and then back to the Z71 Sub. Best truck overall. Lee

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  good to go - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By brama howard - May 8 - 2:00 am

  this is one great vehicle, big for the whole family, ride great on highway, fun to be in in city, gas miles ok, nothing to write home about, but this suv handle like my caddy, after getting this suv i trade my 2003 caddy, wife love it. every man need one, i fish with it, go to ball game, and att: business meeting, it all round. everyone must drive.

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  jeffs opinion - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By jl johnson - May 8 - 2:00 am

  We have always wanted a Suburban and could not afford one. I think they are a bit too pricey. We have not had ours long enough to give it a fair ratiing. We have no complaints. We are still learning a few of the little features. It drives nice and is comfortable. We love the room. We have five children 3 are nearly grown.

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  2004 Suburban 2500 - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Bert11 - May 8 - 2:00 am

  I bought this vehicle because I tow a travel trailer and my Expree 1500 wasnt cutting the mustard. This baby trailers with no problems. Rock solid and powerful, the 2500 with the 6L V8 is great!