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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  Black TB - 2001 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Trailblazer 3221 - February 6 - 2:00 am

  Quirky driver window. Has been fixed 3 times. Will go down and stay there until it is ready go come back up. Transmission LOUSY reverse. Steep grades have required the use of 4wd LOW to move vehicle. Fuel guage quirky will show empty when 1/2 full at times.

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  Functional Hummer - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By mdddsp - February 6 - 2:00 am

  Versatile and fun.The looks convey power and strength and the Avalanche performs to how it looks.

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  2003 Taho - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By ljn9156 - February 6 - 2:00 am

  Of all the SUVs Ive owned and driven, the Tahoe is - by far - the best ride.

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  My first car, worst car. - 1996 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By erigney - February 5 - 9:22 pm

  I bought this car myself with the money I had made from my first job. This wasnt even three years ago and I have probably paid for it twice in repairs. New timing chain. New spark plugs -twice. New spark wires- twice. New Catalytic Converter. Cleaned Muffler. New turn signal switch. Ect. This car has been nothing but heartache. I loved it to death at first, but its sucking me dry. Still trying to sell it.... Would not recommend.

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  2004 Avalanche Z71 - 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By wpixfrank - February 5 - 10:23 am

  The Z71 Avalance is an "I cant believe its a truck truck". Ive been on black diamond off road trails testing the 4WD and power, this thing is a goat. Ive been on long freeway runs, it rides easily as smooth as the best domestic car. Ive taken it hunting, and to important business meetings. It is comfortable in both roles. Now if we could do something about the gas mileage...

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  GREAT CAR!! - 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By 02monteSS - February 5 - 10:00 am

  bought a dark blue 02 monte SS in august. The car is great. I was never a fan of chevy interior, but this time they got it right. The interior is perfect. The drivetrain is great, both gas mileage and power are up there. Also, the car does very well in the snow (traction control). It is built well, the doors are thick (unlike the tin doors on the imports) and it is very save (5 star crash rating)

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  nice truck - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By king - February 5 - 10:00 am

  i liked it and i suggest it

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  Awesome truck - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Dystin - February 5 - 10:00 am

  This truck kicks a** so powerful will take out a Dodge anyday.

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  Happy so far - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By SCchevyowner - February 5 - 10:00 am

  I have put 1200 miles on it so far and love it! Drove it on a 5 hour trip recently, it handled great!

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  THIS THING ROCKS - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By JAKE BROOKS - February 5 - 10:00 am

  THE THING I LIKE ABOUT THE SS ITS AWD LOOKS AND ITS ALL 1 COLOR