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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  My second Monte Carlo - 2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By eddiep - August 17 - 3:53 am

  My first Monte Carlo was a 1977, now my 05. Both designs I like, and I like the CD player over the 8-track! Also I like the front wheel drive, better traction than back in 77.

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  Always Chevrolet - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By American Buyer - August 17 - 2:00 am

  First minivan. We love it! Gas milage averages all around in the mid to upper 20s. Plenty of room. Very convienient. Very comfortable, just got home from a 1500 mile road trip. Have had zero problems with our power sliding door.

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  Happy with Chevy Venture WB Edition - 2003 Chevrolet Venture
  By chevy fan - August 17 - 2:00 am

  We wanted more room, so we traded in our Chevy Blazer for the Venture. We were close to buying the Montana Vision Van, but were able to get a better deal from Chevy. The Venture has loads of features geared toward families on the move...DVD player w/remote, in-dash 6 CD changer, air compressor, rear organizer, seating for 8...I could go on and on. We are extremely pleased!

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  Having Fun - 2001 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Cary Draper - August 17 - 2:00 am

  I really enjoy this suv and i can afford to own it. I love the fact at 6 foot 5 inches tall i can ride in cofortably. I have had no problems with this vehicle just fun.

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  2017 LT hatchback - 2017 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Tom Bradder - August 16 - 11:45 pm

  Highlights: I drive pot hole infested roads up a mountain to work and the suspension soaks up the craters and cracks like a champ. Transmission is unexpectedly smooth as well. I also like the diesel-like throttle mapping, as it allows you to drive very smoothly and efficiently. But if you need to speed up in a hurry, you feel that turbo kick in with a lot less lag time than other diesels Ive driven. The cabin is very well muted for its class. The amount of technology you get for the price is also impressive. I have the convienence package as well. The steering has a nice balance of responsiveness and road feel. I would have expected something a lot more numb feeling and sloppy. The rear legroom, though I dont have passengers often, is FAR larger than expected. Tall people can sit in the backseat even with the front seats pushed back. Cons: None. This car feels like a great value and seems to punch above its weight in terms of its luxury-like smoothness and solid feel.

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  I love my car - 1999 Chevrolet Lumina
  By flaviking - August 16 - 2:00 am

  This is the first Lumina I have ever had the chance to own or drive and I fell in love with it the minute Igot behind the wheel. The ride is very smooth and it handles very well.

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  More Fun Than an Economy Ride - 1994 Chevrolet Camaro
  By EveryDayWorkCam - August 16 - 2:00 am

  I Drive a lot of business miles. Tired of putting extra miles on my newer (i.e. rapidly depreciating) vehicles. I wanted a reliable car that was fairly economical, yet still fun to drive. No disappointment... very reliable and nice looking for a now 8 year old car. Beats the heck out of driving an overated Consumer Reports vehicle! Perhaps I am wrong, but I feel there will always be a buyer for an old, well kept Camaro when the time comes to sell. I dont see a lot of folks lining up for the old C.R. favorite foreign cars here in the Midwest.

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  Excellent buy - 2011 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Anonymous - August 16 - 2:00 am

  I am so happy with my choice, I test drove similar crossover vehicles such as honda,kia,hyndai,nissan, ford escape, ford edge and they could not touch the quality,smooth quiet ride of the equinox. I took my time in shopping for 2 months. I Love Love the mileage Im getting, great execeration. I feel like Im riding in a luxury car instead of a suv. I get mucho compliments all the time on its exterior style and looks. I got silver metalic exterior with all black interior and 18" polished alum wheels.

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  Love this car as I did my 1969 Impala - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Chris - August 15 - 3:56 pm

  After reading reviews on this car, I decided to purchase a used Impala LT with a 3.9L engine in March, 2007. This Impala is everything I want in a larger car. On a 200 mile round trip to upstate New Jersey I got 30.6 mile per gallon. Combined city and trip driving I get 26 miles per gallon. City only driving I get about 24 MPG. Of course when I run the air conditioner the MPG is lower, but not significantly. My wifes Honda Accord gets about the same MPG, and it is a four cylinder. When driving long distances, comfort is important to me because I have a bad back. The Impala is the most comfortable car I have ever driven, and my back never bothers me after driving this car.

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  The Best Car Ever - 2002 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Dave-O - August 15 - 2:00 am

  Nasty handling and performance, a really fast car perfect brakes and style of the car,simply the best car!