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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  Dream Car - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By BlackVette - August 15 - 2:00 am

  The Corvette has been my dream car since I was 13 years old. Having purchased a black 2003 my dream was realized this year. This car is everything that one could ever hope for a sports car to be. It is sleek, handles beautifully, and is the most comfortable car I have ever driven. The responsiveness of the steering and the powerful acceleration make it a true dream to drive. Yet, the level of comfort that the Corvette exudes gives it a luxurious feel that many sports cars seem to lack. Hats off to Chevrolet for producing such a fine car!

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  A keeper - 1990 Chevrolet Celebrity
  By JCBrent - August 14 - 2:00 am

  Takes a licking and keeps on ticking...

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  The Best - 1996 Chevrolet Suburban
  By J.R.B. - August 14 - 2:00 am

  I still get compliments on this vehicle 7 years and 157,000+ miles later.It has the regency custom package and has been great on long trips(too many 1,000+ miles to count)as well as around town.I still get 17.5-18.0 mpg on trips,loaded down.

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  awesome car! - 1999 Chevrolet Camaro
  By raceguy333 - August 14 - 2:00 am

  This is my second car (second camaro) and it is great. I originally had a 95 coupe, and after moving up to a 99 z28, i have to say that the power is excellent! The only problem i have had is a dead battery, but i was running a 2000-watt stereo off the factory battery that was 4 years old.. that is to be expected.

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  Wonderful Car!!!!! - 2001 Chevrolet Impala
  By marci68 - August 14 - 2:00 am

  Best car Ive ever owned. Rides great and handles even better.

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  this car is phat - 2001 Chevrolet Impala
  By low - August 14 - 2:00 am

  i love this car my wife calls it my other woman i mean the power and the comfort is lovely im ready for my next new car it will be a impala ss 2004 im a impala owner for life just keeep building them like my 2001 and you got a life time buyer my motto is once you go impala you never go back

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  Enjoyable Experience - 2002 Chevrolet Corvette
  By DJK - August 14 - 2:00 am

  Ride is excellent, as if on rails. Performance is outstanding as is handling. Some road noise from the stock tires, but it is tolerable. Six spped shifting is very crisp but could stand to be a shorter throw design. Overall review is that it is an excellent choice for a performance car!

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  Driven to the Maxx - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By DIXIELEE - August 13 - 10:36 am

  I love our new Malibu Maxx. It is quite roomy in the back seat which you don’t see that often. Everyone can sit very comfortably as far as leg room. All seats recline front and back and fold down. I would say it is a nifty car at a great price! I dart around like nobody’s business and park with ease. No more bulky minivan!

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  love the car - 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By jab12345 - August 13 - 10:00 am

  this is one of the very best cars i have ever owned. i cant think of anything i dont like about it!

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  like thr vehicle - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By jab12345 - August 13 - 10:00 am

  this truck drives and rides better than any truck we have owned.