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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  my review the wonderful chevy - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By tebbets19 - October 8 - 2:00 am

  i have had my red 03 tahoe and it runs great. I recently had run it through a muddy field in my back yard and it never once got stuck. Ilove it power. also it does great burnouts. I did a burnout on a ford expidition ant it was nothing like my tahoe ill never give mine up

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  After 4 years of owning one of my dream cars - 1990 Chevrolet Corvette
  By thestrawhead - October 7 - 5:40 pm

  Buy these cars now!! Before the value jumps through the roof!! Cannot believe I got to the point that I can afford one! I bought mine(pristine and very well documented) with 16k miles on it 4 years ago for $20,500 after years of research(Original owner bought it for $80,000 with the dealer mark up!). It was one of my dream cars when I was 18...and the collector car motto...If it was a big deal when you were 18, it will be hugely sought after, and expensive when youre 50. I bought it when I was 42, because I didnt think I would ever be able to afford it at 50. Now on to the performance. I now have 22,000 miles on it, and a huge smile on my face! It just gets up and gos! It shocks my friends when reving to 7000 rpm and sliding out the rear end going into 2nd(with 315 rear tires)...something to be said about no traction control in 1990! The only downer that I can mention is the same as any car with the flip up headlights. The motors tend to go bad. No big deal. Put me at a stop light against a 1990 Ferrari Testarossa, Porche 911 turbo, or a Lamborghini Countach(not a Diablo, cant beat that $250,000 plus car), and it is an embarrassing race for them. Of course in the years after, Ferrari and Porsche caught up, and passed the Vette, but in 1990, these European exotics that cost twice as much were outdone by a Corvette!

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  The best large size SUV ever - 1999 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Eyal - October 7 - 2:00 am

  I had this vehicle for 4 1/2 years,LT 4x4 and all the toys+entertainment center for the kids,nothing but joy.Made a huge!!!!! mistake and traded it in last year for a 2003 nissan pathfinder,what a mistake!

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  Nice Truck - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By BigAC23 - October 7 - 2:00 am

  If someone is looking for a really good small truck that can fit a family this is it. It rides like a car on the road and preforms well off road. I am a tall guy and I fit with room to spare behind the wheel.

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  LTZ - 1998 Chevrolet Lumina
  By cnorth - October 7 - 2:00 am

  We have had no problems with this car. I am very pleased except for noisy tires and they are not origanal.

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  Camaro Z-28 - 1997 Chevrolet Camaro
  By mandoz28 - October 7 - 2:00 am

  by far the best car on the road. hands down, no questions, period

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  Awesome Car!!!!! - 2001 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Stephen Talpins - October 7 - 2:00 am

  The Corvette is awesome. Its a beautiful car that performs incredibly well. You cant beat it (or even come close to it) without spending at least twice as much money. Kelley Chevrolet was a pleasure to deal with (no I dont work for them they love the car also..........and it shows in how they treat Vette owners)

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  2003 CORVETTE - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By mwb1468 - October 6 - 2:00 am

  GREAT CAR. THE ONLY PROBLEM THAAT I HAVE ENCOUNTERED WAS WITH THE DRIVERS DOOR HANDLE. WHENEVER I WAS TO RAISE THE HANDLE, IT WOULD RUB AGAINST THE HANDLE HOUSING, CAUSING THE PAINT TO RUB OFF. THE HANDLE WAS REPLACED AND I HAVE NOT HAD ANY MORE PROBLEMS. I LOVE THIS CAR.

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  1997 Corvette - 1997 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Jgordon05 - October 5 - 2:00 am

  One of the best sports cars out there for your money these days. Looks and drives awsome. Very comfortable seats. Nice acceleration and design.

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  MY REVIEW - 2004 Chevrolet Tracker
  By JA32905 - October 5 - 2:00 am

  GREAT LITTLE SUV. ALL I ANTICIPATED, AND MORE. CHECKED OUT ALL OTHER COMP VEHICLES, AND CHOSE THE TRACKER. WITH LEATHER INTERIOR, IT HAS A VERY PLUSH FEEL. THE QUICK LITTLE SIX BANGER HAS MORE THAN ENOUGH PUNCH TO MAKE ME HAPPY. I DONT KNOW WHO DOES YOUR EVALUATIONS, BUT I SUSPECT HE HAD A BAD NIGHT BEFORE THE TESTS. STORAGE IS MORE THAN NECESSARY WITH A LOAD OF GROCERIES AND THE GRAND KIDS. FIT AND FINISH ARE EXCELENT.