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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  Love it - 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Maline Smith - April 13 - 3:09 am

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  Heavy Driver in South western Ohio - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By Winshire - April 13 - 2:00 am

  Excellent Vehicle, the EXT seem to have better handling capability over the two seat version. The third seat gives the vehicle more flexibility and is comfortable for adults. The gas mileage is noticeably less than the two seat version a 2002 previously owned. Gas mileage in the city is about 15.5 and 16.8 on the road.

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  Good Truck - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By CarDoor - April 13 - 2:00 am

  Love this vehicle. Comfortable, quite, smooth, good acceleration, acceptable mileage. Great 4 wheel drive, good brakes.

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  TrailBlazer 2003 - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By TomKat - April 13 - 2:00 am

  This is a excellent vehicle

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  1999 taheo - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Taheoman379 - April 13 - 2:00 am

  great Vech. i would buy another & another over a ford anyday!

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  Great Truck - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By TheCommish777 - April 13 - 2:00 am

  Solid Construction, Excellent build qaulity. A real truck on a frame. Not like the Import unibodies. The editors love the Imports but they continue to miss what Amercians really want in a truck. Power, lots of room,the feeling of driving a real truck. If we wanted to zip around corners, wed get a sports car.

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  Great Performer - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Geroge47 - April 13 - 2:00 am

  4.8 V-8 very smooth and strong. Red color very deep and luxurious. Hauling capacity excellent. Short bed ride a little choppy when bed empty. Handles superb in snow and ice with 4 WD engaged. Great vehicle!

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  excellent - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By alfredo - April 13 - 2:00 am

  This truck is the best truck you could buy,its designe is excellent. And is really fast 2.

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  best of the lot - 2016 Chevrolet Impala
  By George - April 12 - 12:32 pm

  I had owned a Mercury Montego (just like the Ford 500) which by far was the most comfortable sedan I have every owned. But it came with electrical issues and transmission problems. So I checked all good size sedans out there and the Impala was the best subtitute Icould find. Nice quiet, comfortable ride, with a great instrument panel. The 4-cylinder was more than adequate. Not as easy getting in and out of but OK. One major complaint is rear visibilty. One minor complaint, owners manuel comes with no nice case and even without it does not fit in any front seat compartments (including the glove box). All in all a great car.

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  Best vehicle i have ever driven - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Rarebreed - April 12 - 2:00 am

  I have owned everything from Hondas (prelude) to Fords (Bronco) and Jeep (Grand cherokee). The Avalanche drives quiter than my best friends benz. Seems to be as reliable as any Honda product i have owned. It looks like Chevy has finally turned the corner on reliability. I am so happy that our next purchase is going to be the equinox.