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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  Brand new, Malibu - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Tucquan - May 22 - 2:00 am

  Ive had the car for a month and have enjoyed driving it each and every day. It rides nicely and is VERY quiet. The electric assisted power steering is very smooth. I feel relaxed and comfortable while driving. All-in-all, this a great car for the money. I really feel that Chevy got this one right.

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  My 2000 Silverado - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By pokey52 - May 22 - 2:00 am

  My first pickup. Love it! Plenty of room in the extended cab for kids. My wife and I have sat in there while the adult kids had the front. A bit cramped but not uncomfortable and a fun change for us. Only one problem. In the year and a half I have owned it. All brake rotors were warped. Dealer replaced them at no charge. Once youve had a truck youll never go back!

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  LOVE my truck - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Revalimage - May 22 - 2:00 am

  Not good maintenance record - drivers armrest fell off 1st day! ABS brakes have gone out and a bad fuel pump has left me stranded. I feel VERY safe in the sturdyness of this truck with my family.

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  Love this truck!!!!!!!!!!!! - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Steve Duramax - May 22 - 2:00 am

  Have enjoyed it alot, I have a 34 foot camper, it pulls it like its not there!!

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  Like a rock - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By tinindian400 - May 22 - 2:00 am

  great truck, can beat the reliabilty and superior comfort. Dollar for dollar best truck on the market

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  This the best truck i have ever owned - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By jballgame532003 - May 22 - 2:00 am

  I use the truck to travel and to haul equipment and it is the best truck in my book compared to the ford F350 and the dodge 2500 i test drove them both and out of all the diesals it is the best

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  My first truck - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By the ripper - May 22 - 2:00 am

  fun to drive, good power

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  2006 New Impala - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By robertsilas2 - May 22 - 1:03 am

  I wanted the biggest car I could get with lots of room and comfort for the lowest possible price. Thats what I got. Good acceleration and passing power. But the engine seems to lug when turning the corner from a stop. Whats up with that?

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  Bertha - 1990 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Bertha - May 21 - 10:44 pm

  I bought her 3 years ago with 83k miles. Has been the best vehicle investment ever made. The mileage is what you would expect, but I drive her everyday and she occasionally tows my boat. Great investment and if I take care of it should last 5-10 more years.

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  King of the Road - 2007 Chevrolet Suburban
  By DGG - May 21 - 9:30 pm

  What an unbelievable machine. I went with the Z71 package to get the two- tone seats and dashboard look. Very nice! Equipped with all the toys. GM has hit a home run with this redesign. The ride is much improved and the new styling puts in the class of other luxury SUVs, but with more performance and features for the money. If youre looking for plenty of room, power, features, and comfort but without the pretentiousness of the Escalade, Navigator, or LX470, this is the perfect choice. My son and his baseball teammates loved it travelling to this past weekends tourney!