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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  Wonderful SUV! - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By oneutfan - July 12 - 10:00 am

  This is my first purchase of an suv. My mother has owned three blazers. All of which I loved. When I finally purchased mine I was excited. I have a four year old son and we travel a lot of miles. It has been very comfortable to travel in. I would recommend this vehicle to anyone. After owning this one I only want to go bigger!

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  Chevy Equinox - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By maproksch - July 12 - 10:00 am

  Without question the most comfortable car Ive ever driven. Lots of cargo space, storage space, leg room. Smooth ride, look forward to seeing how it handles in snow.

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  good quality with minor improvments - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By j. robertson - July 12 - 10:00 am

  what a good all around vehicle! i am glad i purchased my trailblazer, great engine and looks, it lacks some qualities like the flimsy tailgate handle and keyless entry, but what a good ride i would recommend it to anyone

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  Great Car - 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Stan - July 11 - 8:52 pm

  I just purchased my Chevy Cobalt and I love it. Its very quiet inside and has an extremely smooth ride for its size. The electronic powered steering has excellent feel and control and the vehicle corners very well. It has plenty of power and its a breeze to parallel park. I have the LS 4 door sedan in slate gray metallic. The light gray interior and silver pin striping add a rich touch. I highly recommend this vehicle!

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  Love mine, will never trade in - 1996 Chevrolet Blazer
  By heather0325spring - July 11 - 5:31 pm

  Bought my Blazer in 1999, love the way it looks and rides. It does sway a little in the wind but so used to it now I hardly notice. Handles great in the snow. Only major fixes to it was the fuel pump at 136,000 miles and the intake manifold gaskets needed replaced (involves taking the top of the engine off) If you have one and have problems with overheating check that out. Other than that just basic maintenance, spark plugs oil changes, alternator, water pump and battery, no major deal considering the miles on it.. No transmission problems at all

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  Workhorse - 2000 Chevrolet Express
  By Raj - July 11 - 5:20 pm

  Owned 10 years, over 185,000 miles on it, still going strong. Repairs relatively minor: brakes, belts, that sort of thing. Amazingly, still riding on the original transmission. If you need to move a lot of people and their stuff, shes beast of a workhorse. Because it is so big, the MPG is very low, around 12. But shes amazingly easy to handle, and park, and the visibility is the best of the big vans. Very reliable workhorse. Minor issues: drivers side window failed at 70K. Door lock panel fell inside door. Interior side panels got loose at about 100K. Tires are expensive to replace. But shes been one of the best vans weve owned, and weve used her hard!

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  Not the best not the worst from GM - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
  By mike - July 11 - 5:06 pm

  I bought the car with high miles for the year. Made 3 trips fom sc to pa got 525 miles on a tank. That was with 6 people and luggage also. AC and DVD wide open. So far 10,000 miles not one thing but oil changes. Everyone said the 3.5 is underpowered I have no complaints. This by far the best of the three that I have owned. This my 3rd GM van. Had a 1998 chevy venture and a 2001 oldsmobile silhouette premier. The uplander feels safer and more road worthy.

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  2007 LTZ - 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Colorado Avalanche - July 11 - 1:46 pm

  I had not planned on getting one at the time, but I am sure glad that I did. LTZ package is awesome (wish I had the Navigation\Backup Camera\DVD package, but no complaints). Ive towed a utility trailer, pop-up camper and full- size camper in the Colorado mountains with no problems. Sound system is great, interior is comfortable, engine is powerful, utility aspect is wonderful and, of course, it looks great. Yeah, it uses some gas, but you have to consider that before you buy it. Im at 19,000 miles right now and Id buy it all over again.

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  Great Cavalier - 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By asdf - July 11 - 10:17 am

  I love my cavalier. good commuter car and great car in general. I paid about $9000 out the door brand new on this car and its worth every penny.

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  Great Super Car - 2007 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Runeman - July 11 - 8:39 am

  Great super car! I have owned 2 Porsches, 2 Caddys, 6 Marks, 1 Infinity, 6 Vettes and many others. This is the absolutely the best and greatest experience of all! Awesome acceleration, superb handling, good comfort, excellent reliability and good gas mileage. Its all I expect from a car and its made in America.