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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  a perfect 10 - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By boxxhead - June 22 - 2:00 am

  this car is awesome it handles like my old sports sedan yet this did not cost thirty grand a lot more pep than i thougt it would have honey we can keep the kids!

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  What a blast! - 2001 Chevrolet Corvette
  By 2002 - June 22 - 2:00 am

  Since Ive wanted a corvette since I was young, you can imagine the standards this car had to uphold. Boy does it ever. Even with the automatic (this was a decision based upon my wife), this car is a blast to drive. So, far Ive taken it from San Fran to Scottsdale, AZ twice and each time have been extremely comfortable, gas mileage averaged 29 (with avg. speed of nearly 80). My only complaint...the small cup holder. Otherwise, this was a great choice for the money!

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  Fun in retro - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By mortgageit - June 21 - 4:13 pm

  I purchased the HHR as a work vehicle and have enjoyed it so much we drive it everywhere. Great looks and definitely turns heads. Would highly recommend this little cruiser.

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  Excellent Car - 1996 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Ofer - June 21 - 2:00 am

  Very safe car very happy with it in all areas.

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  A Big Positive Surprise! - 2018 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Dan Brown - June 20 - 10:28 pm

  We leased this car as basically an around town vehicle. We own a 2017 Tahoe Premier but as nice as it is on the road, it is a bit clumsy in town. So we leased this FWD LT Equinox for our everyday driving. Weve been so impressed with it in town that we took it on a 300 mile trip today and we were totally impressed with the powerful engine, great driving dynamics and general comfort on rural highways and interstate roads as well. We arrived home and began to ask just why we actually own the Tahoe, this new Equinox is that good. It is a comfortable, usable package with good seats, clear controls and an impressive 1.5 liter engine. We had read less than positive things about the 1.5 liter engine but it is more than enough engine for this SUV. Our trip today of 310+ miles averaged an impressive 33.2 mpg with speeds of 65 to 80 mph. We are quite impressed with this new Equinox.

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  Perfect vehicle for single car family - 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Todd - June 20 - 4:13 pm

  Perfect vehicle for single car family. Rides and drives as good as any sedan and can haul or tow what a sedan can not. I am averaging 22 MPG a tank since I purchased the truck and got 24 MPG on my long vacation trip.

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  Great truck - 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By James - June 20 - 1:52 pm

  Very happy with this truck It has met all my expectations great performance and relatively good gas milage.

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  Great car - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
  By D Basney - June 20 - 12:40 am

  Why pay more? This is a great car. It has a terrific sound and communications package, rides quiet and smooth and is fun to drive. Ive had cars that cost twice as much that couldnt hold a candle to this car. Well done GM! A great value.

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  Maxwell - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By madmaxx - June 19 - 10:00 am

  Very pleased with the car to this point. Drives and rides smoothly around town. Just back from a weekend 600 mile trip and the car performed well at all speeds up to 75. Negatives are the cruise control speed which varies too much. Also, they need to do something with the catch on the rear moon roof visors which will suddenly retract when a window is opened while the car is moving.

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  Great Choice? Oh Yeah! - 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By DanMeyers99 - June 19 - 2:00 am

  Prior to buying the Tahoe, I drove every competing model (Ford/Toyota/Dodge). Hands down I liked the Tahoe the best (ride, comfort,ameneties, price, etc.). So far, I love it! Everything else I looked at was over-priced for the total value I was getting in return and the Chevy was just too good compared to the others to pass up. Funny thing, Ive never owned and American car/truck before and this Chevy Tahoe impresses the heck out of me every time I sit in it. Just awesome!