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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  I love my new car - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By smooches - February 18 - 2:00 am

  It is very comfortable on long trips and is very suitable for a family. It has great asthetic value. All the parts and service have a good quality.

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  My Truck - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By D Porter - February 18 - 2:00 am

  For the frist time in a long yime I will be at home trying to think of some place to go so I can drive my truck.

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  breathtaking performance - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By jobo - February 18 - 1:59 am

  This car is a heartpounding thrill ride from neckbreaking start to right now stopI I own several sports cars absolutely none better performing for the money. The Z06 Corvette would be a bargain @ $70,000.00 and sells for much less. interior appointments are not as "leathery" as I would like but the Z06 makes this up in performance. I would classify this Vette as pound for pound the best and cheapest performance car in the world.If you would like to compare this car to another expect to pay 80 to 150 k to get equivalent performance!

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  Best vehicle I ever had - 1993 Chevrolet Suburban
  By martinez - February 18 - 1:26 am

  Lots of room, and a beautiful exterior. Its great for any kind of weather. An all around great car. I totally regret not getting one any sooner.

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  I love my Suburban - 2001 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Terri Hoff - February 17 - 1:46 am

  After having paid my dues since my last two vehicles were green minivans, I decided to take the plunge and go for another SUV. Id had a Ford Explorer before I had that third child! Ive already told my husband that I am ruined. Until I get the kids raised, Im a Suburban driver for life! It is reliable,and the "little touches", such as carpeting all the way up into the control panel, yummy leather, a control panel both for the stereo and the climate for the rear passengers, go above and beyond expectations. The cargo space has no peer. Its huge, carpeted, of course, and there are little "secret compartments" here and there. I could go on and on, but Im out of space!

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  Very Sweet - 2005 Chevrolet SSR
  By Imharley1 - February 16 - 10:41 am

  This truck is just as cool as my 48 pickup. Im glad I waited for the bigger motor. It is very comfortable to drive, great gas mileage, fun on short trips, and looks like it would be easy to modify.

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  TrailBlazer Review - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By dtjump - February 15 - 4:00 am

  Excellent handling, power, towing and off road capability. Superior to any import, because The Trail Blazer LT can do it all. It also has more than adequate seating room and cargo room. The top of the line leather interial is equal or better than the import competition. Quality of workmanship is clearly evident throughout the vehicle. I dont think that the automotive press gives this or anyother American made vehicle an honest appraisal, given the difference between the editors (they arent experts) and consumers (they are experts) ratings. The lack of fake wood does not equate to inferior materials. This is one of the most capable vehicles on the road or off road.

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  Great Truck - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Josh - February 15 - 2:00 am

  I bought this truck in 2006 with 59,000 miles on it and now it has 108,000 and it runs like it did when I bought it. I now have flowmaster exhaust on it and that gave me noticeably better gas mileage. The best mileage I have gotten is 22 doing 70. I get about 13 to 15 in town. Does great on the highway and handles like car. It has plenty of power! It has always started in the cold, even 20 below zero in Montana where I live. Does well in every road condition you drive on. Very smooth suspension as well.

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  New 02 - Great 4x4 Ext Cab Truck - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Edward A. Franklin - February 15 - 2:00 am

  Drove Ford and Dodge, this truck absolutely blows them out of the water. Body is solid and all but sound proof. Pleasure to drive. Very good response even on the roughess of county roads. Plenty of power for quick starts. Gas mileage is 16 mpg combined city/highway. Keep your foot out of it and the average rises to 18 mpg combined.

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  The Ulimate SUV - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Patrick - February 13 - 3:49 pm

  I have a 2003 Trailblazer LS All I can Say is WOW .. This is by far the best SUV I have ever driven. Traded a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited (JEEP was in the shop every other week Up til the end) Differential problems, Transmission probelms and rotors every 10,000 miles or so -- That is unheard of, well so I thought.. Anyway, drove every mid size SUV before deciding on the Trailblazer. Purchased it because it had the best ride and all the features I wanted and the price was right.. I do not have the wind noise a lot talk about -- As to gas mileage City is around 16 HWY 22 I live in the mountains not the flat lands This is an SUV not a Civic.. I LOVE It Drive one and see for yourself ......