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 IT - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By donwill - December 21 - 2:00 am

  over the 45 years of driving i have owned all of GM name plates. I cant think of any that i have not purchased. the chevrolet avalanche has surpased all of my former trucks in just about every way. the first thing i noticed was the handeling,its also fun to drive. this truck gets alot of looks and people stop me many times and ask how i like this new look. The number one thing is that my wife drove it on a test drive and loved it as did my black labrador. once you drive a avalanche you will be hooked....

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  2004 z71 Avalanche - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Ciralli - December 21 - 2:00 am

  I owned a 2002 Z71 and loved it. purshased the 2004 due to my experience with past Avalanche. Chevrolet has done a wonderful job with this truck. Can not think of anything they have forgotten. However the book says I was to receive headphones for rear and am having a problen with dealer,they say does not come with mine. Why is it written in booklet if not true. I do have the bucket seats. Whats up with this? I got so many options think they would stick to their word.

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  03 Z71 happy owner - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By tommyboy4406 - December 21 - 2:00 am

  Vehicle equipped with 5.3L and 4.10 gears, gas mileage 14 city and 18 highway, great performance, very comfortable ride, great brakes, as what every states cheap plastics in lower dash area, high quality leather interior equivalent to infiniti ive owned, computer for gas mileage generally right on, worst gas mileage is 12.8 when driving 1 mile trips, great over all vehicle highly recommended

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  Above and Beyond - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By oullee - December 21 - 2:00 am

  Ever since my wife and I saw the new Trailblazers we were in love. This vehicle is top notch!!!If we didnt have such a horrible experiance with the most unprofessional Chevy dealer Ive ever had this would have been the best cotracual agreement I have ever signed, I cant wait for til the truck reaches 75,000 miles for the warrenty to end and I can go for an 8 cylynder with third row seating.

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  I got dupped - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By PBG278 - December 21 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle was great the first few months of ownership, but as time progressed my transmission started giving me problems. A few trips to the dealership for service and they found nothing wrong. Then the electrical systems completely gave out. After that was fixed, I found out by being pulled over that the vehicles brake lights werent working. Needless to say, I no longer own a Chevy. Im a Ford man now...

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  Trailblazer Rocks! - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By rmyslik - December 21 - 2:00 am

  We purchased this last year for the 5 of us. We have been all over the east coast with it. All I can say is the Trailblazer is awesome and we highly recommend it!

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  Z71 - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By edhaslett - December 21 - 2:00 am

  In shop once for Cruise control (couple other times for bed liner and stuff). Got about 5k on the truck and so far no big problems. Air leaks and squeaks already though, guess it will suck at 50k. A thirty thousand dollar car should be tighter longer.

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  Love my van! - 2001 Chevrolet Venture
  By Ashley - December 20 - 11:54 pm

  I am very impressesd with the overall quality of the vehicle and the ease of use and comfort. It is very quiet while driving, even at high speeds and in wind. I own the Warner Brothers version and with the built in TV and DVD player, its great. I like the fact that you can control the rear heat and air from both the front seat and back seats. You also have the ability to have the front and back seats on separate radio stations, or the cd player. Great for kids and or driving at night so occupants can sleep but driver can listen to music silently. I love this vehicle!

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  Excellent replacement for a stolen Ram - 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By badfbob - December 20 - 6:26 pm

  Truck runs and looks great! I chose this one over the crew cab due to increased ride height. The ride height on mine compares evenly with a Z71. Nice, supple ride and handling, even with the stock 17" Generals on standard chrome rims. Getting great gas mileage (17MPG in mixed driving), even with the 3.73 rear end. Thats a 25-30% increase over my stolen Hemi Ram!

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  My Cadilliac - 2002 Chevrolet Blazer
  By blazer02 - December 20 - 4:12 pm

  This Blazer is the most awesome truck Ive ever owned. Its fun to drive, it has great engine power. The gas mileage could be better but hey its got a big engine in it. I have the 02 loaded edition only 69k mint condition. I haul quads with it and it pulls them with no trouble.