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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  An awesome SUV - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By matt - December 19 - 6:43 am

  The 4.2 inline six has great power and torque. The outside lines are easy to clean, and the interior is greatly designed, resulting in an all around little mommy vehicle.

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  Go to the Mall Work Truck - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By tlc75372 - December 18 - 3:03 pm

  Paid $12K in 1998 for a 4 cyl Ranger, $13K in an all day marathon deal in 2003 for a 4 cyl Frontier and $14K come and get it deal for a 2005 V6 Silvarado W/T. All had air and manual transission. Absolutely no comparison. The Chevy is full size and can comfortably cruise down the interstate with enough power to get around in traffic. Its fun to drive and its nimble for its size. Yes, its dated and gets about 3 mpg less, but as a comparable cost if not cheaper alternative to a compact 4 cyl work pickup, you just cant beat it. The classic truck feel worked out over the last 50 yrs just puts a smile in your face. Grandpa got it right.

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  Buy Something Else - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By basmartass - December 17 - 10:00 am

  The only reason I bought this car is because I could walk to the dealer and it was cheap. But you get what you paid for. The sales rep was classic; comb-over, tie tack, tried to engage in small talk. I hate traffic lights because it gives me the time to notice mis-aligned panels, cheap materials and poor design. I should have bought a Honda or Toyota.

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  Finally, the ultimate family mobile!! - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By tpenny - December 17 - 10:00 am

  If you are looking for the ultimate 4WD, family adventure wagon, the Z71 is the only way to go. It is really fun to drive and provides excellent comfort with a very smooth ride (better than the 4WD LT version we also test drove). Gas mileage isnt great, but it gets the same fuel economy as my V8 explorer. I would highly recommend you at least test drive the Z71 if you are in the market for high end minivan or SUV. You wont regret it.

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  Best full size SUV on the market - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Johnc - December 17 - 10:00 am

  I have 52K on this vehicle and use it on/off road, for hauling people, towing a boat and camper, and back and forth to work. This truck has been pretty much bullet proof. It only needed one small warranty repair (drivers side window regulator). I looked at all of the competitors and the Tahoe just felt better and handled better. My actual experience leaves nothing to be desired from this truck except for a better 3rd row seat configuration.

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  Do Your Homework.... - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Contractor - December 17 - 10:00 am

  I have owned my chevy for almost four months now. It has spent EIGHT days in the shop already. It started with the "service 4 wheel drive" light. Then it started locking the doors all the time, even when it was suppose to unlock them. The dealership has replaced switchs, The TCCM, and two encoder motors. The second motor was the redesigned one. They are now telling me that a re-redesigned encoder motor is available only through district reps. In other words they may or may not have a part that will fix the problem. DONT BUY THIS TRUCK!

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  Not for Cold Climates - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By RussHoss - December 17 - 10:00 am

  Its ok I guess. Fuel line freezes regardless of amt. of gas in the tank. Gas anti-freeze doesnt even help. Limited slip rear end gets stubborn in cold weather.

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  The Silverado SS Kicks Ass - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By kurt13 - December 17 - 10:00 am

  Best truck ever, all around great speed, control and its not like the other sport tucks, it can actually pull a trailer.

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  Great Fun - 2006 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Joe Starkman - December 17 - 12:50 am

  Just back from driving Hwy. 3 between Vancouver, B.C. and Calgary, AB. Fabulous 2 lane blacktop, mountain passes and fast curves. The Vette handled it with ease...superb cornering, awesome acceleration for the quick pass on the 2-laner. Thats the good news...the looks, the handling, the power and the price. Its the details that GM needs to work on. The removable sunroof squeaks. the 6-speed is average at best...not even close to the Porsche shifter. The quality of the interior finish plastic materials is just plastic. Dont get me wrong...the Vette is great!

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  Nice - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By ljordan09 - December 17 - 12:10 am

  We picked up the absolute most basic model. Since day one it is destined as a work truck. And its an excelent one. The only one problem is one blown tranny. But that was more our fault than anything. We didnt change the oil for 26,000 miles. Hey if it can hold on for that long, props man. I love how the base model is comfortable and the floor is plastic, the best part about that is no worries! I only have the V6 with 200 hp and im very surprised with 0-60 times. all in all, good job.