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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  Great Truck - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Ryan M. Eashoo - January 28 - 10:00 am

  Great Truck, well designed.

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  Best Chevy, and not just a crew truck. - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By IzenFire - January 28 - 10:00 am

  We drove 1200 miles then returned 1200 miles a week later. The ride was wonderful for 2 adults and 1 dog whom got both back seats.

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  great vehicle - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By gmpoohbear - January 28 - 10:00 am

  Absolutly love this vehicle, no problems,great quality built vehicle,perfect paint,no flaws anywhere except only average 18.8 mpg.

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  i want 10 more - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By elb - January 28 - 10:00 am

  this is by far the best truck i have bought.i WILL buy another 1. we r currently looking to buy a new 1. fuel economy is not bad for its size. a great buy.

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  my avalanche - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By mertsdad - January 28 - 10:00 am

  this is just based on my over all experiance of my own avalanche.

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  Its big! - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By phillipsjohnr - January 28 - 10:00 am

  Ive owned a Jeep Cherokee, Isuzu Trooper, and Toyota 4Runner and the Avalanche is by far the roomiest SUV Ive owned. Its also the most powerful. While the model I bought doesnt have all the amenities of past vehicles, it does have everything I want. It drives smoothly and quietly. The Bose stereo with XM it decent and Im still experimenting with the Midgate conversion options. The only downside - filling up with gas...

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  Everything I expected and more. - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By John Hull - January 28 - 10:00 am

  Solid vehicle with excellent peformance. All the options one could need or desire. Handles well for its size and has awesome towing capacity. Even the third row seat is obtainable to most adults.

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  Blazin my trail - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By rebeckywecky - January 28 - 10:00 am

  I love this car. It is very fast with 280 horses under the hood. Its a comfortable ride and unlike the editors rating I dont think the interior is cheaply made. The only problems I have had is in the guage panel with a grinding noise, and the change oil light is a false reading. Also I do think that the seals around the car for noise protection are installed poorly. Mine keep coming loose and I have to reattatch them. Overall I really love this car and dont even want to trade it in for a bigger one, which I really need.

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  Trailblazer - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By MBR - January 28 - 10:00 am

  I have had this vehicle for a couple of weeks and am completely satisfied so far. It handles well and is very comfortable to dive.

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  First Test Drive - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Chevy Owner - January 28 - 10:00 am

  Took one out for a test drive today. Handling and performance is good. Nice quiet ride and has adequate power for on ramp merges, passing and climbing hills, at least without a load. Im just over 6 tall and found it had plenty of room for the driver and passengers. Hard seats, did I say hard seats, and poor support. No extensions on sun visors. Narrow rear cargo space. Floor not level with seats down.