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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  The Beaste - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By H. Pollak - November 14 - 2:00 am

  What to say... When I forst saw the previews in 99 I was impressed. Now that Im an owner, Im even more impressed. Vary little body role, great get up and go, I get anywhere from 18-21 MPG pretty regularly. Though I have to say I have made some modifications. Not only is it a big vehical it drives like one. Parking is no problem. Im used to larger trucks. the only area I have a problem with is being able to see out the rear end. It has its challenges. Overall, best bang for the buck. Most versitle truck I have ever owned and Ive owned many.

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  Great truck - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By johnny - November 14 - 1:03 am

  My previous truck was a 2004 Nissan Titan SE model 2 wheel drive crew cab. I bought the Chevrolet because I wanted a four wheel drive. I was averaging about 15 mpg in the Titan. I am averaging 16.5 mpg in the Silverado. The Silverado also has a much more comfortable ride than did the Nissan. I could not be more pleased with my purchase.

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  I Love My Cobalt - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Holly - November 13 - 1:26 pm

  Ive driven mostly larger vehicles with the exception of my Corvettes. I needed to have a gas economical car for my distance driving and was pushed to the Cobalt by my 19 year old son. I test drove the Cobalt and was impressed by the ride, comparing once again to the larger vehicles (SUVs) Ive owned in the past. I was very impressed at the handling, solid feel and pick-up for a "4-banger". I love my new Cobalt and love my son for pushing me toward looking at it closer (although he would have preferred I bought the SS; what teenager would have thought differently). Great car for the money. Ten stars to Chevrolet on this one!

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  Nothing Compares - 2001 Chevrolet Camaro
  By SSpongeBob - November 13 - 2:00 am

  Simply the most fun you can have with your clothes on. I love this car. I had a 99 Z-28 automatic but when I heard that they were killing the Camaro, I traded it in and got a 01 SS Sunset Orange Metallic w/ 6 speed manual. What a blast! I will keep this car until the day I die.

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  Great Little Car! - 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By paintpony27 - November 13 - 2:00 am

  Bought a stripped 2000 Cavalier - loved it but wanted more options so I traded up to a 2002 LS Sedan with power everything. Love it! Great gas mileage, cute little car, in Sanddrift color, hardly shows winter road grime or spring pollen! Upgraded my tires and curves are MUCH better now. Great handling ... I can hit country roads at 70-80 and rarely have to hit my brakes. Holds the road great in foul weather. Good leg room, my 6 ft husband can sit in the back seat comfortably! (Cant say that about most smaller cars!) The few times I have had to take it to the dealer, they fixed minor probs and I was back on the road in no time.

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  JIMMY - 2002 Chevrolet Corvette
  By lONGVAL - November 13 - 2:00 am

  IT IS AWESOME WITH EXTREME POWER. ITS INTERIOR IS WELL DONE WITH MANY USER FRIENDLY FEATURES

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  3500 DRW - Wow!! - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
  By Pusher - November 12 - 2:26 pm

  This truck is fantastic! I traded in a 2004 2500 Crew Cab with a 6.0L for this truck that has an 8.1L beast for an engine...and its fantastic. Tons of power, very smooth ride even with the DRW, and for such a big engine it gets fantastic mileage of 13 - 14 mpg. If youre towing, this is the truck for you. You can spend thousands up front for a diesel or save a little and go with the gas. Diesels are fine but I went with the gas as they warm up quicker in the winter. Very good truck and would recommend to anyone.

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  Our "Goin Up North" Vehicle - 2001 Chevrolet Express
  By johnandlore - November 12 - 2:00 am

  We bought this van in Oct. 2001 when GM first came out with 0% financing. It has been a real workhorse ever since - towing our jet-skis, hauling building supplies, or just ferrying us to our Up North cottage. Everyone who rides in it is amazed at the roominess. The ride is surprisingly smooth, and the kids love the TV/VCR with the A/V hookups.

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  Z06 - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By 03z06eb405hp - November 12 - 2:00 am

  This car is so much fun to drive it should charge you to drive it. Blinding acceleration along with glued to the pavement performance are features this car flaunts.

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  I LOVE MY NOX!!!! - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Howard G - November 11 - 9:10 pm

  I love my Equinox. I read a lot of reviews about it and decided I needed to go find out for myself. Once I drove it.......I loved it! I thought with all of the bad reviews out there that this car was awful, but looked good. I test drove it on a Friday night and was there Saturday afternoon to pick it up! Ive only had it for 3 days, but I havent had any problems. I also chose to buy the demo because it was already "broken in". Due to this, I get great gas mileage! :-) My family loves it but couldnt believe I got rid of my sports car for a SUV!!! I would highly recommend everyone to buy one, but dont because I enjoy not seeing too many on the road. I like the looks I get! :-)