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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  Trailblazer - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Benc - September 12 - 10:00 am

  The best GM car I have had

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  Very Reliable, Long Lasting, IT ROCKS! - 1993 Chevrolet S-10
  By iowalee - September 12 - 2:00 am

  I have had this truck for 11 years, 135000 miles. Tune up @ 100k, brakes replace x1, Original alternator and exhaust. It is the most reliable, inexpensive to maintain, well built auto I have ever owned.

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  Handles Great, Reliable, Fun to drive - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By iowalee - September 12 - 2:00 am

  I have the 3 door, 5-sp, 4 cyl, with the sports suspension package, 18000 miles. It hugs the road, great gas milage. Drive it 80 miles/day to/from work.

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  Great Vehicle - 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By pirate90 - September 12 - 2:00 am

  Excellent overall vehicle for family trips and outdoor events - Roomy, Powerfull and good fuel economy given its size. I have put 100k miles on it since purchase and just now starting to need some repoairs at 142K!

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  great deal - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By jmov - September 12 - 2:00 am

  If you like 4by 4 this would be the car you want. first i was looing at Toyota but after i test dirve the 4runner i decieded to go with cheevrolet. The toyota has one flaw with it power full v8. The 4 by 4 is working all tht time. you can make it 2 wheel.

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  Great Family Minivan - 1999 Chevrolet Venture
  By cookrenee - September 11 - 2:00 am

  Our Chevy Venture is a great all-round car. My husband loves it because it does great with Lowes trips, including 4x8 plywood. Its 7-passenger capacity has been well-used! Weve traveled from Texas to Washington and back again several times with no problems, and it has had very little need for repair work. We love the 4- door style, and the automatic remote control on the right side door. The extended version gives us lots of storage space, and the seats are extremely easy to fold down and flip up out of the way, or to take out. Weve enjoyed the module in front that keeps track of outside temperature, mileage, direction of travel, etc.

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  I love my Z24 - 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By jjz24 - September 11 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned this car for almost 7 years now and I love it as much as the day I bought it. Ive had absolutely no problems with it. Wonderful vehicle!

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  Our Adventure Mobile - 2001 Chevrolet Express
  By gep10 - September 11 - 2:00 am

  We use this vehicle to tow our camper around the midwest and carry our family, gear & guests on ski trips & kayaking and biking trips. We also use it to haul large objects and loads ( rototillers, pavers, lumber, etc.). It has been a great traveling vehicle everyone is very comfortable even after long drives (good seat design, amazing legroom for 2nd & 3rd rows, strong ft/rr AC/ heater system) and the Bose/dual TV/VCR system w/AV hookups is great. 255/70 Firestone Indy 500 tires transformed the wet/ dry handling and Ive safely passed 4WD SUVs on snow and ice on our ski trips after installing four winter tires. Very pleased with this vehicle.

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  2004 BLAZER CHEV - 2004 Chevrolet Blazer
  By BELMARK100 - September 11 - 2:00 am

  I have been a Jeep Cherokee owner for years, multiple Jeeps. Never owned a Chevy in my life, my family drives nothing but Chevy. I Decided to test drive the Blazer on a whim. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. Its a very comfortable car, handles very well. Much smoother than my Cherokees ever where. Drove it on vacation right away great space & gas-on the highway and in the city. Then when you consider the savings on price, it was a no brainer, you save a bundle just for staying out of the popularity SUV race. (unless you want to impress people with paying more, thats another issue).

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  Work / Family fun - 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Mad Mike - September 11 - 2:00 am

  I have 2000 miles on my 2005 Cavalier. It runs great, gets 35 mpg (highway), and the A/C and cd player make it very nice to travel in.I put 500 miles on a week traveling back and forth to work and we use it as a "family car" on the week-ends.