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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  99 corvette - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By rmckee0990 - June 30 - 2:00 am

  This car has been a pleasure in all ways.Performance,design,quality,and reliability.The car currently has 55000. miles on it and has performed flawlessly.

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  Impala LS - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By WJT - June 30 - 2:00 am

  One of the best cars Ive owned. LS needs to have H-rated performance tires to really handle properly - add those and even driving straight is improved. Build/finish quality is very good. Design layout

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  Great truck - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Michael - June 29 - 8:00 pm

  I bought this truck to tow my fifth wheel camper. It does an excellent job in towing. I can cruise the highway at 70 mph with no problem and get about 10mpg. Going back and forth to work I get about 15.5mpg. This isnt 4wheel drive , thats why I get such good mileage, but I never got stuck in the winter and I live in Buffalo NY. I have 20K miles on it and the only problem Ive had is with the blower switch in the #1 position. This truck is a real eye catcher and little kids have told me its a cool. All in all Im very pleased with this truck and would take it over a foreign one any day!

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  Bang for the Buck - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By brad - June 29 - 6:23 pm

  This car is the ultimate bang for the buck. Great performance, great gas mileage, great style, and all under 20 grand. I picked mine up new for 19K. Couldnt have found a better choice for points all over the board.

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  This car is badass!!! - 1994 Chevrolet Lumina
  By CDH1 - June 29 - 2:00 am

  First of all, let me say this car is badass!!!! The 3.4L optional car with 210 horsepower rides like a dream. Add to that the CD player, power drivers seat, and remote trunk opener and you got one great car!!

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  Awesome - 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By whcc10s - June 29 - 2:00 am

  I test drove everything out there for the past 6 months and the Z71 won hands down, Power, versatility, looks, and comfort. This truck has it all. I cant wait for my next road trip. It is a pleasure to drive.

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  My review - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By BrandiBear - June 28 - 12:23 pm

  I really love this car. It handles so much better than my last car. I got an awesome price thanks to this site and it looks great inside and out. I think this is the best thing that Ive ever purchased, and it is so good on gas! I love all the features and the V6 engine. Overall i think this is the best bang for your buck!

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  Limited rear vision lines - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By billybobjoezig - June 28 - 10:00 am

  Visibility needs to be learned in this vehicle, directly behind is limited due to height of tailgate and bedcover. Some kind of rear mirror would be great. Vehicle is comfortable to travel in and drive. Even works as a pickup. The change is easy for transporting unexpected purchases .

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  Awesome - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By mpsrent - June 28 - 10:00 am

  What a great way to get multi use out of one vehicle.

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  Great Car! What a Deal! - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By tgif - June 28 - 10:00 am

  I love this car. I dont understand why Chevy doesnt sell more. It is a perfect size, looks good, easy to drive, very comfortable, and very reliable.