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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  K1500 - 1995 Chevrolet Suburban
  By mms - December 11 - 2:00 am

  I will buy from a GM dealer next time versus private party. The money I saved from buying from an individual versus the dealer was what I had to pay for repairs/maintence. This full size SUV provide the cargo and passenger space while providing towing capability. The space and towing beats the Ford Ex (cursion and pedition) series and the undersized Durango.

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  California "Cadillac" - 1996 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Cliff D. - December 11 - 2:00 am

  My 96 Suburban has been great. Its travels well with my wife and 4 children and all our luggage. Great for cruisin to Vegas, camping or in town. Have electronic 4WD and it works great. Leather interior is a must. Radio and factory CD is great. Added a few engine tricks got MPG from 9.5 up to 14 MPG. The Vortec motor is the best !

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  Taylors Vette - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By John Taylor - December 10 - 8:30 am

  Superb in every respect

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  A mans Car - 1995 Chevrolet Impala
  By Glenn1782 - December 10 - 2:00 am

  Ive had no problems with my impala, runs beautifully, looks beautiful, best car Ive ever had.

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  Who says Japanese cars are more reliable - 1992 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Mikie - December 10 - 2:00 am

  My wifes civic motor blew at about 100k highway miles despite oil changes every 3k miles and perfect maintanence. My fathers new Toyota Corolla burned up its oil and almost blew at 15k miles despite oil changes every 5k. Toyota tried to claim it wasnt covered by waranty because he didnt have it changed at the dealer. He can keep the car running if he uses synthetic oil and changes it every 2500 miles. Ive had my Camaro for over 8 years. While driving 80k hard city miles, I have had to replace tires, clutch, brakes, alternator, brakes, radiator, and air pump. In other words, routine maintenance. I plan to keep this car for a long time.

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  Fun, reliable Car!!! - 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Ann Krueger - December 10 - 2:00 am

  Not a bad car at all. I purchased it as a newer car that had some miles on it. I went to the dealership when I was living in downtown Chicago and was going to college full time. I told the salesman that I wanted a reliable, sporty car that was small and had good gas milage that I was able to afford. The first car he showed me was the one I still own to this day and am happy with!

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  You should get one! - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By JAB - December 10 - 2:00 am

  I was really surprised how well it handles. It is so comfortable to drive!! Our family loves it!

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  One heck-of-a-truck - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Falconspeed - December 10 - 2:00 am

  Just one great truck!

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  Get the Duramax! - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By RC - December 10 - 2:00 am

  The Duramax diesel/ Allison tranny combo is great. Im getting 19-20 not towing & 12-13 pulling a 9500 lb trailer. The Duramax gives me power to spare. The diesel is the best thing out of GM in years. The ride is not bad considering the tow rating, which is better than Ford or Dodge.

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  Simply Outstanding - 2001 Z71 Stepside - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By john77084 - December 10 - 1:15 am

  I bought my 2001 in 2006 because I really wanted a stepside. I found this Z71 4X4 and pulled the trigger. It had 89,000 on the odometer. Now it has 140,000. Ive driven it hard and it keeps coming back for more. One of the first things I added to it was a Flowmaster muffler with chrome tips. I get a thrill every time I fire it up.