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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  Chevrolet 2004 Trailblazer LT - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By mbondsi - March 19 - 2:00 am

  I have driven Suburbans for 30 years and have finally downsized to trailblazer. The 2004 is my second one, as I had a 2002 before. I absolutely LOVE my car! I have moved kids to and from college with room to spare and the improvements since the 2002 (easier seat collapse, seat heaters, better seatbelts, XM radio to name a few) make it a pleasure to drive! Just show me the road.

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  CHEVY 1500 Z71/4WD SB 5.3 LT (8) - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By CAF6767 - March 19 - 2:00 am

  THE TRUCK OVERALL IS A VERY GOOD PERFORMER. I TEST DROVE THE FORD,DODGE AND TOYOTA AND I JUST FELT THE CHEVY WAS AN OVERALL BETTER PACKAGE. THE SEATS ARE VERY COMFORTABLE BUT IF YOU GET LEATHER MAKE SURE THEY ARE HEATED. ON THE VERY COLD DAYS THE SEAT REMAINED COLD A GOOD 25-35 MINS INTO THE TRIP. MILEAGE IS WHAT YOU WOULD EXPECT FROM A FULL SIZE V-8 TRUCK

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  Silverado 1500 LS short bed 5.3L V8 - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By maw - March 19 - 2:00 am

  Its actually a shortbed, but no option to select. Powerful drivetrain, solid body, awsome ride,great options make the Silverado a pickup my choice. Test drove Dodge(awful tranny), Ford (not bad, but just didnt like the ride).

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  Silverado Z71 - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Mike48 - March 19 - 2:00 am

  Better than expected gas mileage; seems to be geared just a bit low, however it is the Z71; excellent handling and braking; fun to drive.

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  05 Maxx LT Review - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By hermaxx - March 18 - 11:10 am

  Only 1200 miles...so far, so good. Considered Camry & Accord too but price was tough to beat on the Maxx (after dealer discount & rebate). The added convenience of the rear DVD for our 8 year old sealed the deal. I was impressed with solid structure and overall build quality. With all the features though, I wish they would have incorporated a compass into the rear view mirror like on other GM offerings. The "suede" seat inserts are upscale to the touch but the seats overall do seem to lack side bolstering...but overall are comfortable. I do plan on adding 17" wheels in the spring just to give it a little attitude.

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  Wheres The Road? - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Chevy Retread - March 18 - 10:00 am

  This is the question you will be asking yourself after driving this vehicle. The steering is so bad that you cannot feel the rood. The steering has NO center point at all. Too bad for the people at Chevy. A better steering set up and this thing could have given Exploer a run for the money. For now just another GM miss. Back to the drawing board for the company that just wont listen!

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  Awesome Car - 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
  By wvanepps - March 18 - 5:07 am

  I also own a 2013 BMW M3 Coupe which I compare every car against (one of the best cars ever made IMO) and this is the first American car I have bought in a long time. I purchased a Laguna Blue Z51 manual with the performance exhaust and magnetic ride control. The Stingray drives, handles, and looks awesome. I cannot even get gas without a crowd gathering around the car. The acceleration of the car is extremely fast and the noise it makes in sport or track mode is mind blowing. The manual transmission shifts smoothly and the clear removable hard top does a great job of blocking heat. I have never considered buying a Corvette before but I am really glad I did.

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  Beautiful car - 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By reddz24 - March 18 - 2:00 am

  Even though I havent owned this vehicle very long, I think its a great little sporty compact! Its got plenty of juice for a 4 banger and its great mileage. And theres tons of aftermarket parts for it! I just put a cold air intake in, engine sounds soo deep and nice!!!

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  Venture - 1999 Chevrolet Venture
  By HVP - March 18 - 2:00 am

  GOOD RELIABLE MINIVAN WE HAD SOME PROBLEMS WITH THE AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOOR WHICH WAS FIXED AFTER 3 ATTEMPTS. OTHERWISE A GOOD CAR.

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  Haileys LTZ - 1998 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Hialey Collins - March 18 - 2:00 am

  I love the LTZ. Its those little things like the black chevy bow tie instead of the blue or white ones or the back end design that set it apart from all of the other Luminas. I have had my car for 2 years now and I have NEVER had any problems with it. It looks great inside and out. And with its 3800 V6 engine, it drives great too. Wanna race?