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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  Exceptional Vehicle - 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Tom - February 11 - 6:45 pm

  I have had this 07 LTZ Avalanche for 3 days now and cannot find any faults. Chevy definitely did it right with this vehicle! The versatility is great, the appointments are beyond what I was shopping for, but I can really get used to these heated seats! The ride is very civilized for a vehicle this big. I definitely love the look without the plastic body cladding from the earlier Avs. If you are contemplating an SUV purchase, you need to do yourself a favor and drive an Avalanche, it just may sway your decision. It did mine!

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  The Worst Truck Chevy Ever Built - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By sparklesandgems - February 11 - 4:05 pm

  I purchased this pickup in 2004 basically due to the rising cost of gas. It has been a electronic nightmare. First the heater messed up, they changed it under warranty. Next the radio would not go off. They looked at it said found nothing. Next the bolts on the door fell off they been replaced twice more. Now the heater is making noises again. The bolt is off the door again, which causes a popping noise each time you open the door. And yesterday the drivers side window would not roll down. And of course it is no longer under warranty. And it has a recall because the brake lights fail to work. Ive owed 4 Chevy trucks and the Colorado is not a lower price truck, but just a cheap made truck.

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  Little Surprise - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Helen - February 11 - 12:52 pm

  I bought the car on impulse since I was driving close 100 miles a day for work and wanted a cheap car. It has turned out to be fun, super reliable with great gas mileage. I have other cars but this is the one I drive most. A great every day car great in the city good on the highway. Seats could use more support for long drive only complaint.

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  LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT!!! - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Casey - February 11 - 8:20 am

  I only bought my Equinox two days ago and couldnt wait to write a review. This SUV is amazing! I researched this auto for months. I also looked at the Kia Sorento, Hundai Santa Fe, and the Ford Escape. The look of the Nox is beautiful. The inside is amazing. Beautiful details, nice lighting and I have more than enough pep to get on the road at a reasonable speed. I will be driving about 700 miles during the Christmas holidays and cant wait to see what the mileage is like. The mileage is one of the main reasons for the purchase. I have 150 miles on the SUV and still have three quarters of a tank of fuel left! This is a dream auto and Chevy did an outstanding job! Easy on the eyes

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  More sir,could I have more? - 2007 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By TroyQT1 - February 11 - 1:27 am

  I finally got the SUV of my dreams. My initial purchase trip was for the CTS-V, instead I test drove the TrailBlazer SS and could not leave the drivers seat until I went inside to sign the contract. I have left Mustang GTs eating my dust and just love the growl of the exhaust. Chevrolet did us truck fans proud when they Nürburgringd this one for us. If you seek excellent, reliable transportation with some ooomph, get-up-and-go, this is the one.

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  Great, Dependable Trailblazer - 2007 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By John - February 10 - 5:17 pm

  Have been driving my new 07 Trailblazer LT for a week now and absolutely love it. 4 wheel drive is fantastic and the ride and feel of the car is great. 18 inch rims look very sharp and have turned a few heads already. Great SUV and would highly recommend it.

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  Monte Carlo - 2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Shelly - February 10 - 12:50 pm

  We just bought our Monte Carlo and love it. very nice lines and the comfort is remarkable. Very pleased with the engine ,very snappy and good on gas . It is a keeper for sure.

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  Very disappointed - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Lin - February 10 - 1:56 am

  My Impala LT does not have a split rear seat, therefore, I will not be able to access my cables in the trunk should I have a dead battery. There is no trunk key and the inside trunk release is connected to battery power. Extremely poor design. This is the last GM car I will ever purchase after having GMs for 45 years. Toyota here I come.

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  Great all around - 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By SteveO - February 9 - 10:50 pm

  This is a real truck. My buddies with Fords agree. Have taken her off-road several times. No problem getting around or pulling buddies out of the mud. Anybody looking for the best truck needs to look and compare this truck to any thing on the market. Hands down I am now a Chevy driver for life.

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  Great Deal - 2007 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Gohtraw - February 9 - 8:20 pm

  When I went to buy a car, I had a few in mind. My original list consisted of a Camry, Accord, Malibu, and an Altima. The new Camry was well, a Camry. The only V6 in my price range was the LE (good luck finding one with a V6), thats not much. The Accord was refurbished but basically the same car from 4 years ago. The Altima was a skiddish car and I would have been buying a used 3.5. The Malibu SS had everything I wanted except a sunroof, standard. 18in wheels, 4 wheel disc, abs, side airbags (5* crash test), sport suspension, remote start, climate control, cruise control, three spoke wheel. Since it was a really big dealership needing every sell it could get, I was able to haggle it to 22k!