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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  This was built for me. - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By kmbdrb - March 5 - 2:00 am

  This is absolutely the best vehicle I have ever owned. I convert it to a PU at least 3-4 times per week. Smooth, powerful, versatle, quiet, tight, luxurious, it just could not be any better.

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  #1 Value & Features - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By ko - March 5 - 2:00 am

  Bought this vehicle 3 weks ago from a Chevy dealer as a lease return that originally went on the road less than 12 months ago. At 34% depreciation from new with 2 years factory warranty left, how can they sell them new? The car has greatly exceeded my expectations. Virtually no body flex, very comfortable highway ride and great fuel economy. This car is actually turning out better than the Accord or Camry I previously test-drove and thought I wanted. Highly recommended.

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  #1 Value & Features - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By KO - March 5 - 2:00 am

  Bought this vehicle 3 weks ago from a Chevy dealer as a lease return that originally went on the road less than 12 months ago. At 34% depreciation from new with 2 years factory warranty left, how can they sell them new? The car has greatly exceeded my expectations. Virtually no body flex, very comfortable highway ride and great fuel economy. This car is actually turning out better than the Accord or Camry I previously test-drove and thought I wanted. Highly recommended.

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  TAHOE-AWSOME - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Vic & Norma - March 5 - 2:00 am

  Great vehicle, Gas mileage is not to great, mainly because of the Flex fuel injection. Otherwiae has all the bells and whistles.

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  GREAT VAN - 1998 Chevrolet Venture
  By WILLIAM BUCKLEY - March 4 - 2:00 am

  IT HAS BEEN A VERY COMFORTABLE CAR TO DRIVE AND TAKE LONG TRIPS IN. IT IS EASY TO GET IN AND OUT OF. I HAVE BAD KNEES AND YOU DONT HAVE TO BEEN LIKE YOU DO IN A CAR.

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  Best Bang for the Buck! - 1999 Chevrolet Camaro
  By 99SS - March 4 - 2:00 am

  I bought the car used with 30k miles, and I now have over 80k miles. I have not had 1 problem with the car, and trust me I use it to the extreme. I run nitrous on the car, full exhaust, intake, and gears. The car takes a beating and keeps coming back for more!

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  i love 99 chevy cavaliers!!! - 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By KoRn Bread Muffin - March 4 - 2:00 am

  this car rocks!! i love driving in it. And like working on with my boyfriend!! I think everyone should a cavalier! but not like mine, mine is a one of kind!! -KoRn Bread

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  My Ladybug - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By lincon - March 3 - 10:00 am

  Cute car, great handling, fun to drive! Super price - mine is hatchback, red color which reminds me of a ladybug. Havent had it long (one week)but am planning on a 600 mile trip soon so I will reevaluate how it performs after that. There is quite a bit of plastic in the interior but thats part of the cheaper price of the car-it is pleasing to the eye. Cant evaluate gas economy since I havent filled it up yet.

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  Nice Car - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By mjepilot - March 3 - 10:00 am

  This car is great - although the attention is a bit overwhelming. Too many times have people been gathered around it as I walk out of the mall. It is a joy to drive and a pleasure to show off. Be careful when driving across dips in the road - low clearance tends to scrape here and there - also when pulling into a parking space with a cement divider in front.

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  Its not your Fathers Impala. - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By Phillip Dark Hourse - March 3 - 10:00 am

  Excellent noise free ride, good torque & fuel economy. Excellent style & interion space, roomy trunk. Engine is easy to service as there is room to spare for changing serpentine belt & oil filter.