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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  good car - 1991 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By sean gatewood - August 25 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car with low miles and have driven the car into the ground and it still starts and gets me there every day. It has been a great school car for a good price it has never failed me. I have never replaced the cluch exaust or anythiing for that matter outside of an altranator and battery.

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  z28camaro - 2001 Chevrolet Camaro
  By sara v - August 25 - 2:00 am

  this car is a dream it rides like a dream it runs like a dream its just wonderful

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  2001 Malibu LS - 2001 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Mike Bunn - August 25 - 2:00 am

  A great, dependable car. Only complaint would be the brakes--they seem to wear out too soon on the front and the rotors need to be turned. Ive put nearly 50k on it in 2 years and only malfunction has been an alternator problem. This is a reliable vehicle.

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  suburban driving - 2002 Chevrolet Suburban
  By luis castillo - August 25 - 2:00 am

  suburbans definitely the best,im really satisfied the way GM built this utes. In 2 years that i have this SUV nothing but fun driving it specially on a long drive. The way the engine perform and the handling are truly awesome.

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  Impala Chevrolet Has Improved - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By carman joey - August 25 - 2:00 am

  I currently have 52,000 miles on my 2002 Impala sedan & have driven all over getting gas mileage as high as 33mpg great highway car & the 3.4 has preformed beautifully!

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  03 TAHOE LT - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Jtex - August 25 - 2:00 am

  This is an exellant vehicle-comfortable- easy to handle/with good visability. This vehicle does better than 20 MPG on the highway.

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  My Astro - 1997 Chevrolet Astro
  By Morasco - August 24 - 2:00 am

  Have had hardly any trouble with this van. Rides nice, if you like the truck ride, which I do. Only thing that has been a hassle is the rear door hydraulics last about 1 year only. I was having trouble with the wipers, but that was fixed through a recall.

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  One Awesome Truck - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Dave Man - August 23 - 2:46 am

  This truck is the best truck I have ever owned, my 4th of the GM full size family. Its a Z71 with 151,000 on it now and have no problems at all since I bought it in 05 with 70,000 on it been camping to remote destinations, driven on trails, and even hauled several pallets of sod in the bed. Its extremely comfortable and rides like a car. Have made many comfortable trips with the family in it and no complaints at all. Never broken down only have changed the battery once by choice with an Optima yellow top. Only cost is oil, wipers and 3 sets of tires. This truck it truly built like a rock and takes the abuse of 2 boys 3 dirt bikes and many off road outings to have fun.

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  ONE MONTH REVIEW - 2003 Chevrolet Tracker
  By VANDERHEY - August 23 - 2:00 am

  TRADING IN A 1998 TRACKER WITH ONLY A 1.6L ENGINE, THIS CAR HAS MORE PEP BUT LESS GAS MILAGE, THE CARS RIDE IS BETTER AND LESS TRUCK LIKE.

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  LOVING my 1st SUV, my Chevy Blazer - 2003 Chevrolet Blazer
  By paratrooperwife - August 23 - 2:00 am

  I love it...great in every way...hope that auto makers continue to improve miles per gallon...Ill never go back to Ford again - Chevy is awesome! Deb G., White Marsh, Maryland