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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  Surprising Quality and Fun! - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By George P - July 31 - 3:10 am

  Ive never owned a GM car before and I bought this car because the price was right after my GM card earnings. After 2 weeks, I am impressed with interior design and how quiet the car is. Manual shifting and acceleration are quick and smooth. Gas mileage is good, 30+ in mixed driving, but GM needs to offer higher mileage vehicles to compete with Japanese manufacturers. Overall, a very good car at a competetitive price. I would like more options to be made available, not necessarily packaged.

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  Love My Bu! - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Kelli Rosey - July 31 - 12:53 am

  One of the most surprising things to me after having several 4-cylinder cars is the amazing gas mileage I get with my Bu (I just had to give it a name!). The first major trip we took was a 2,000 mile round-trip excursion to Florida two weeks after buying the car. Wwe got over 31 MPG for that trip! Later, it made the same trip and got 33.6 MPG for the round-trip! This is better even than the VW Beetle we traded in. I love the way my Bu handles and her stunning good-looks. Classy, but still sexy in an understated way, without screaming "write me a ticket, please!." The remote starter is the most awesome feature Ive ever had on a car, cant live without it! I love my Bu!

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  Thumbs Up to Uplander! - 2007 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Superbill01 - July 31 - 12:37 am

  I have owned this 2007 Chevrolet for a month, and have driven in the mountains and city driving all have been a pleasureable experience. The Uplander is roomy, convenient, economical, comfortable and handles like a dream. Average 23 mpg with both air running on hot days. Small issue of no arm rest on second row seat and small arm rests on front seat for large persons. Made new arm rest that slips over old ones out of foam and plastic sheet. I would reccomend this vehicle to anyone with children. DVD keeps them entertained while you drive.

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  Wow, what a looker! - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By Rick Ratayczak - July 30 - 8:10 pm

  I purchased my 2007 HHR fall limited edition on July 5th. It has the spoiler, running boards, and a factory pinstripe. Ive put 2000 plus miles on it in three weeks! Went to Memphis from Milwaukee and back on a road trip. I love this car.

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  My First Disappointmebnt - 2016 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Jim H - July 30 - 8:05 pm

  Most fun to drive of any car in my 71 years. Purchased this 2016 brand new. Comfort very surprisingly super. Performance terrific. Problems from day ONE STILL UNRESOLVED. Air conditioner/climate control wildly hot to only cool - never ever cold. Seat cooling works mildly just a few times in the two years we have had it. First year a horribly loud vibration when going up a hill. Selling dealer took it for joy rides and left the suspension at the hardest/racing setting. The cabin cooling and seat cooling still unresolved. Second dealer I went to is trying, but NO results. This car has been in dealers shops perhaps two dozen times for up to three weeks at a time. Gas mileage unbelievably wonderful. Long Beach Red - be prepared for people to follow you to a parking lot to look closer and compliment appearance. Ive wanted a Corvette since I saw the very first one in 1953. Were driving the car off the selling dealers lot and Priinces "Give me a Red Corvette" comes on XM - Bridge. People follow us in the freeway in our blind spot just to look for miles then pass and wave. Take all of the remarkably wonderful things about this car that we love, put it against the horrid reliablility and amount of time its been in the shop - is it worth it? Absolutely NOT. This is by far the most disappointing motor vehicle Ive had Ever and Ive had 13 brand new ones. For the first time in my life, I REGRET BUYING IT......................................... Be prepared for all the crap you will have to learn to tolerate if you buy one. Chevy complaints in the sky? All they did was to tell me to go to other dealers to see if they could fix it......... We have driven this vehicle with love and care and serviced as recommended................................................... Go buy a Mustang instead.

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  Good Car, Not - 1994 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By btdoug - July 30 - 11:42 am

  I bought this car a few months ago, with less than 100k miles on it. Ive had a lot of electrical failures that needed to be replaced, and the engine overheats on long drives. I know its getting to be an old cheap car, and its an American car, but I expected a little more reliability than what Ive got so far.

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  Best performing Corvette ever - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Matt815 - July 30 - 10:00 am

  This is by far the best looking, feeling, and funnest to drve Corvette ever manufactured. Great job Chevy!

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  2005 Tahoe Z71 4X4 Bermuda Blue Metallic - 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Jim0031 - July 30 - 10:00 am

  Just got it yesterday 09/29/04, love it, beautiful truck great to drive. Only complant for me is being 65" the drivers legroom is limited at least on my right leg buy the console, but overall very satified with this monster. (well it seems like a monster after driving a windstar the last few years)

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  ok! - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By kyro298 - July 30 - 10:00 am

  Little interior things wrong--screws and pins fall out. Havent had it long enough to tell anything else.

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  OK so far - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By Marty - July 30 - 2:03 am

  I have the base model with no options. The standard list of equipnment is impresive, far more than Toyota Camry and for a lot less money. This car is worth a look if you are in the market for a large sedan.