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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  2500 HD 2004 - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By fgator01 - August 12 - 2:00 am

  Just 1 word .........AWESOME!!!!

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  2004 Trailblazer LS - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By amanda02nicole - August 12 - 2:00 am

  I just purchased my TrailBlazer, and I love it! I am used to driving a Camaro, so its hard for me to get used to it but I love it! I would recommend this vehicle to anyone who is not wanting anything too big (i.e. Tahoe, Expedition).

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  CHEVY SILVERADO Z71 LS - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By J.Davis - August 12 - 2:00 am

  I have had this truck for a little over 10 months so far and I absolutely love it. I have 16000 miles on it and have had no problems whatsoever. I love the sharp new front end and rear tail light design! I like the Vortec 5.3 but it seems like it needs a little boost in horsepower, it doesnt seem like 285, i think it should be around 300 or so. Gass mileage isnt the best i get about 300-400 miles every time i fill up. Also, the interior electronics seem out of date and need updating, but those are minor improvements. So far, the best vehicle i have ever driven!

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  Best Truck - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Mikey2k01 - August 12 - 2:00 am

  This is the best truck I have ever owned.It has the bwst toughing of all the trucks I have had.It has the bwst toughing of all the trucks I have had.

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  A pleasure - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
  By jj - August 12 - 12:26 am

  Purchased an LTZ with the 6 cylinder engine after testing the 4 and finding it a bit sluggish. While only in the first month of ownership, Ive been delighted. The cabin is comfortable, pleasing to the eye, and very quiet. The sound system is a joy. Last night I heard low frequencies in the Saint- Saens organ concerto Id never noticed before. The leather seats are very supportive, especially in the back-- where I appreciate the firmness. The six comes with hydraulic steering that gives just the right feedback. Mileage so far is satisfactory--19.7 mpg on short hauls around town. Glad I got the six--it has pickup that reminds me of my Dads 65 Chrysler 300. Its eager to go.

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  What a Mess - 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Jim - August 11 - 6:33 pm

  As others here stated, driveline noise, sloshing fuel tank noise and bangs, bumps, thumps, clunks, clangs, uncomfortable squishy, sinking seats, roof line is too low,

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  GM down the tubes - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By lemon buyer - August 11 - 10:00 am

  My 2001 Chevy HD started the notorious engine knock at 7,000mi. With just over 13000 mi. on it now,the transmission went out.I now know why I avoided chevy pickups for years. They may look nice,but they are junk,and GM wont back them.

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  My Transformer and Wonder Truck - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Cat Maloy - August 11 - 10:00 am

  At first site I thought this was the ugliest truck I had ever seen. My son talked me into test driving one. I have been in Love ever since. It rides like a dream and there is enough interior space to make every one comfortable. The Dog even loves it. I have taken it apart for everyone I know and even perfect strangers at a Ford dealership. For the folks that have had trouble with leakage from the back window or gasket, get that truck back to your dealer now! A badly manufactured window that cracked is the culpurate. They replaced the padding and carpet, the window and gasket after torrential rains in our area leaked into the cab of the truck.

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  Love it so much...Im buying another one - 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By DAHLLR - August 11 - 10:00 am

  This is the hands down best truck I have ever owned. Chevrolet did a very good job "beefing" up their trucks to compete better. I have had no problems with this truck at all. Best of all...the 4.8 liter engine with automatic transmission gets incredible gas milage (even better than our Blazer with 4.3 liter). I would definately recommend this truck.

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  2002 Trailblazer LT 4 wheel drive - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By NCCFI - August 11 - 10:00 am

  The Trailblazer rides very smooth and very quiet. It has plenty of power. I have had no problems at all with this vehicle. I previously drove a 1997 Blazer that I ordered new. I liked it, but the Trailblazer is far better.